by Five-star running back recruit Rueben Owens committed to Texas A&M Wednesday night, hours after retiring from Louisville. Here’s what you need to know:
- Texas A&M is the third school Owens has dedicated to since he first started recruiting. Prior to Louisville, he committed to Texas in February 2021 but was released four months later.
- Owens of El Campo (Texas) High had been involved with the Cardinals since June and was their highest-ranked prospect in the class of 2023 at #23 overall.
- Before Owens came on Wednesday, Texas A&M had no players with offensive ability in its 2023 recruit class.
- Owens is the second five-star recruit in the A&M class. The Aggies have 12 signings so far.
5-Star RB Rueben Owens announces commitment to Texas A&M pic.twitter.com/rVzGZbXOpU
— Sam Khan Jr (@skhanjr) December 8, 2022
backstory
At the time of his Louisville engagement, Owens was the second highest recruit the Cardinals had landed in the modern recruiting era, according to 247Sports. After retiring from Texas in June 2021, he left his recruitment open for a year, but committed to the Cardinals after an official visit this summer.
Coaching changes sparked Owens’ release from Louisville. Scott Satterfield, the Cardinals head coach when Owens was signed, took the job in Cincinnati earlier this week.
Shortly after his suspension, Owens said Wednesday he was waiting to see if Louisville running backs Coach De’Rail Sims would remain with the program, but said, “Coach Sims called me today and said he won’t be in Louisville anymore. “
What Owens says
“I was like… a new staff, I don’t know her,” Owens said the athlete. “So I was like, ‘I’m going to retire.’
Hours after his de-commitment, Owens announced on social media that he would be choosing his new school at 8 p.m. CT on Wednesday.
What commitment to Texas A&M means
It’s a big win for coach Jimbo Fisher and the Aggies in dire straits. Running back Devon Achane, who led the team with 1,102 rushing yards, has signed up for the NFL draft this week.
The Aggies have talented young backs sophomore Amari Daniels and freshman Le’Veon Moss, but the two combined for just 63 carries this season. The addition of a prolific playmaker like Owens opens up intriguing opportunities for offense for the Aggies, who will have a new coordinator in 2023.
In four seasons at El Campo High, Owens rushed for 7,089 yards and 101 touchdowns and caught 29 passes for 489 yards and four points.
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(Photo: Courtesy of Rueben Owens)
