Louisville pulled off certainly one of its largest recruiting coups in program historical past, as five-star working again Rueben Owens II – the No. 1 working again within the 2023 class – dedicated to the Cardinals Monday over a plethora of gives. Owens, a product of El Campo, Texas, had a listing of suitors that included Alabama, Ohio State, Texas and plenty of others.
“I’ve all the time been a trailblazer, and when to create my very own legacy on the street much less traveled in hopes of inspiring others to imagine in themselves,” Owens wrote in an announcement posted to Twitter. “It was the driving drive in me making this life-changing resolution on the place to spend the following 3-4 years of my life.”
Owens turns into the No. 2 recruit in Louisville historical past, passing quarterback Brian Brohm and trailing solely longtime NFL working again Michael Bush. Owens ranks because the No. 16 gamers within the trade customary 247Sports Composite rankings, and he’s the highest rusher by a considerable margin. Solely two different working backs rank among the many high 50 gamers within the nation.
The El Campo product rushed for an absurd 2,989 yards on 248 makes an attempt with 46 touchdowns in 2021. His Ricebirds went undefeated in opposition to fellow 4A groups within the common season earlier than shedding within the third spherical of the playoffs in opposition to Little Cypress-Mauriceville.
Owens is the headliner in what’s poised to be a historic recruiting class for coach Scott Satterfield and his employees. The Cardinals rank No. 11 within the 247Sports Composite Crew Rankings with 10 commitments, only one spot behind USC. Owens has stated is not going to take any visits to different schools with six months remaining till the Early Signing Interval.
Dynamic playmaker
The electrical Owens has ranked among the many most-offered gamers within the 2023 recruiting class since he was an underclassman. Owens obtained his first recorded provide on Oct. 10, 2019, from Arkansas, when he would have been a freshman in highschool. By the start of his sophomore season, he had 20 gives.
Listed at 5-foot-11 and 190 kilos, Owens earned a comparability to former Alabama star TJ Yeldon from 247Sports Midlands Recruiting Analyst Gabe Brooks, and he boasts persistently sub-11 100-meter velocity whereas being a notable lengthy jumper.
Owens ought to match nicely into Satterfield’s dynamic run offense. The Cardinals rushed for two,728 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2021, together with a mixed 1,153 yards and 6 scores from working again duo Jalen MItchell and Trevion Cooley. Owens ought to instantly slot into the rotation and be a distinction maker.
recruitment momentum
Owens is simply the newest addition to a game-changing recruiting class at Louisville. Quarterback recruit Pierce Clarkson has taken a middle function in recruiting fellow 2023 prospects to affix him at Louisville, with a number of Californians following him.
Vast receiver DeAndre Moore ranks as a top-60 participant within the class, whereas Clarkson’s highschool teammate, cornerback Aaron Williams, sits at No. 140. Fellow teammate Jahlil McClain ranks within the high 500, whereas Inglewood, California, product Jamari Johnson joins the fray.
Clarkson claimed on Twitter that Louisville followers ought to “count on one other one” after reeling within the game-changing working again.