Catching Up on Recruiting with Palestine’s Jarrell Owens

Jarrell Owens already has the size. If the injury bug doesn't bite him again, he'll have the experience.

Palestine's 6-foot-3, 240-pound junior is getting recruiting attention. After battling an injury for most of the 2012 season, Owens is primed for a big senior year in the fall. He was Palestine's bruising back this past season, but will be a starting linebacker this year.

Owens told ETSN.fm on Wednesday morning that TCU, Baylor, and Oklahoma have all been to Palestine to talk to him. He's received letters from numerous programs.

"Jarrell is a Division I talent. Jarrell spent probably the first seven games last year with a pulled groin and even had to miss a couple games," said Palestine coach Lance Angel. "He really didn't get but three or four good games. Because of that, we primarily used him at running back. We plan on using him a lot on defense as well as offense.

"Everybody that's come in here, he's the one kid that really stands out."

Owens ran 60 times for 283 yards and eight touchdowns in his limited action this past fall. He said most schools are recruiting him as a linebacker or receiver.

Owens got a taste of playing linebacker at this past weekend's Rivals/UnderArmour camp in Houston.

"I went there with a pulled hamstring so I didn't wanna go as a running back, so I went as a linebacker," Owens said. "I stood out. I got ranked second out of the linebackers and that was my first time as a linebacker."

Owens was named a top performer at the camp by Rivals. The more camps he can get to the better since the vast majority of the film on him is at tailback, which he likely won't play in college because of his large frame.

Owens is hoping to get his first offer soon. He wants to stay relatively close to home.

"Really if any college in Texas that's D-I wants to recruit me, I'll be willing to play there," he said. "I prefer to stay in the Texas area, but really Oklahoma is all right. ... Offense or defense, it doesn't matter to me."

Two more prospects in Palestine's 2014 class are Brian Thlang and Ben Luckett. Thlang is a 6-foot-2, 290-pound offensive lineman, while Luckett is a 6-foot, 195-pound running back. Angel said both are potential Division I players.