Texas Tech football: Red Raiders that might surprise in 2023

Safety Tyler Owens has NFL potential

One of the best pieces of college football journalism that is published in the offseason is Bruce Feldman’s annual “Freaks” list detailing the biggest physical freaks in the nation.  This year, you will find three Red Raiders on the list, Jaylon Hutchings, Myles Cole, and safety Tyler Owens.

While fans likely know Hutchings because he’s been starting for this program for years and while Cole is rather well-known for his size (he is actually bigger than Tyree Wilson), Owens’ inclusion on this list might have been the most unexpected.  But make no mistake, Owens is going to be a huge factor for the Red Raider defense this year.

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Feldman points to Owens’ 40-inch vertical and the fact that he was clocked at 23 MPH in a game as proof of his freakiness.  Those assets make him a potential NFL talent and with a big year, the former Texas transfer could make himself a ton of money this fall.

There’s a reason that Reggie Pearson, who started 10 games last year for Tech, decided to leave for Oklahoma.  It’s because he saw the writing on the wall at the end of 2022, Owens was poised to take his job.

Because his stats last season were modest (19 tackles, one INT, and two pass defenses), Owens isn’t garnering any preseason hype.  Don’t let that fool you, though.

This is a player with All-Big 12 potential who could take the Red Raider secondary to another level by way of being a far superior pass defender when compared to Pearson who was a huge hitter but a liability when the ball was in the air.  So don’t be shocked if, by the end of the year, Owens is considered Tech’s best NFL prospect.