Colorado transfer Zack Owens committed to Mississippi State on Monday.
On Monday, the Mississippi State football team strengthened its offensive line with the addition of Zack Owens from the college football transfer portal. Owens began his career at Clemson before moving to Colorado last year, marking his second time navigating the transfer portal this offseason. He was anticipated to be a starter on the offensive line for the Buffaloes, but instead, he has chosen to join Mississippi State.
“Zack Owens, a transfer offensive lineman from Colorado, has officially signed with Mississippi State, as reported by @chris_hummer and me for @cbssports/@247sports,” Matt Zenitz shared in a post. At 6’6″ and weighing 345 pounds, Owens is a formidable presence who should excel at protecting whoever is under center for the Mississippi State football team.
A former four-star recruit from the 2023 class, Owens was ranked #198 overall, #18 among offensive tackles, and #20 in Florida. He played at Eagle’s Landing Christian High School in McDonough, GA, before committing to Clemson, and after a season at Colorado, Mississippi State will be his third school.
“Owens’ high school scouting report notes that while his size isn’t officially verified, he is genuinely enormous, with height and weight that are ready for college competition. His large frame provides impressive reach, and he demonstrates overwhelming strength against high school opponents. He can dominate many adversaries and showcases knockdown power both at the point of attack and while on the move, whether he’s pulling or advancing to the second level. He also displays impressive mobility considering his size and bulk, proving to be a capable pass protector with a high potential for improvement in that area. He slides well and exhibits strong hand placement when setting up. Additionally, he bends better than expected and maintains good leverage despite his higher center of gravity.
Initially, Owens was seen as a potential early-round NFL Draft pick coming out of high school, and he still has the opportunity to achieve this while playing for the Mississippi State football team.
However, the scouting report warns that he will face a significant increase in competition compared to the Georgia Class A Private level and may need time to adjust to opponents of similar size and talent. At times, he can be a bit heavy-footed due to his mass. While his early performance as a pass protector is promising, he will need to refine his technique and stay in shape. He is likely to add roster value as a tackle or guard combo player. Owens is considered one of the top offensive line prospects in the 2023 recruiting cycle, with the potential to become a multi-year starter at a high-major level. He has a high floor as a prospect thanks to his physical traits, which could lead to a projection in the top half of the NFL Draft.
Zack Owens has all the attributes necessary to succeed as a college offensive lineman, making him a strong acquisition for the Colorado football program.
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