While it was mostly prospects from the state of Texas that went out and competed at Rivals Camp in Dallas over the weekend, players from a number of bordering states headed out to throw their hat in the ring as well, especially a number of top athletes from Oklahoma. Among them was Moore (Oklahoma) Southmoore linebacker/defensive back Garvarrius Owens.
The Southmoore product competed with the defensive backs, competing with the best of the best from around the region. And while he'll certainly pick up some exposure from the camp, Owens has already actually been hearing from a number of schools, including Houston, SMU, Nebraska, and Texas Tech.
Several Red Raider coaches, including head coach Kliff Kingsbury and linebacker coach Zac Spavital, have been in touch with and certainly know about Owens. Seeing as teammate and defensive lineman Noah Jones just signed with the Red Raiders, he knows quite a bit about the school, too.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Now, with Rivals Camp in the rearview, Owens will focus on getting ready for spring football while continuing to build relationships with coaching staffs such as the one out in Lubbock. The Red Raiders are also interested in Southmoore teammate and athlete Quindon Lewis as well, so there could be a number of prospects take a trip out to the Hub City later on this spring or early in the summer.
IN HIS WORDS
On Rivals camp:
"It was a good day. We got started pretty quick so we could get over the cold and all that. We got warmed up, got into one-on-ones, and once that happened, we all had a good time."
On the recruiting process so far:
"It's been real fun and exciting, and it's just now starting to heat up going into the spring. We've heard from a lot of schools like Nebraska, Texas Tech, SMU, and Memphis. A lot of teams have been coming to us lately, especially in the last week or so."
On Texas Tech, his interest:
"I've heard a lot of good things about them. They just got their defensive staff all in with the changes and everything. They've come by Southmoore before like three times. We have a guy who is committed there, Noah Jones. We talk about getting down there on trips and all of that. I've been enjoying the time talking to them."
On the Tech coaches:
"I've talked to Coach Spav a little bit, but Coach Kingsbury, I've talked to him a lot. He's a good guy. He's one of those coaches who tries to stay in touch with you, makes sure you know he's interested in you, trying to get you down there to learn about his program."
On visits set up so far this spring:
"I'm supposed to go down to Houston, but right now that's it."
OUR REACTION
The Red Raiders are certainly on the lookout for back-seven defenders, and it appears Owens may be a prospect they're highly interested in. He's a two way starter at Southmoore at both receiver and defensive back, so he's clearly a gifted athlete. The fact that Coach Kingsbury and several others on staff have already been in contact is worth noting, too.
