Texas Football: 5 players with a lot to prove in summer workouts

Tyler Owens, S

One player for the Longhorns that really hasn’t lived up to the massive billing he arrived on the Forty Acres with is the former elite five-star recruit and junior defensive back Tyler Owens. The third-year safety has yet to find a regular role in the secondary for Texas. And he’s now playing for this second head coach and third defensive coordinator in the past three years.

What that also means is Owens having to get his body right to play in yet another changing defensive scheme for Texas. Given that he has yet to find a solid role for himself with the Longhorns to date, making his presence known throughout summer workouts and fall camp will be much needed to work his way up the depth chart.

Owens ended last year with measurements of 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds. And while it doesn’t look like he needs to put on any more size, making sure he is in the best condition possible could be key. Owens has experienced injury issues in the past, and the change in coaching staff (specifically the strength and conditioning coach) could make a world’s difference for him.

More so than anything else, Owens needs to prove that he’s ready to handle a starting role in the near future. The talent was never a question for him, but keeping up with opposing wide receivers has eluded him in the past. Better preparation and finding the proper role in this new scheme is exactly what Owens needs to do heading into the fall.