Texas A&M RB Rueben Owens Showing 'Flashes' of 5-Star Potential After Injury

Even while he is fresh off an injury, Texas A&M running Rueben Owens is showing flashes of what made him special coming out of high school.
Sep 30, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies running back Rueben Owens (2) In action during the game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the Arkansas Razorbacks at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Sep 30, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies running back Rueben Owens (2) In action during the game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the Arkansas Razorbacks at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

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While college football continues to move toward more fast-paced, passing-heavy offenses, there will always be an emphasis on running the football. Because at the end of the day, the majority of the time, the team who runs the ball better wins football games.

Much of the offseason conversation surrounding the Texas A&M offense will focus on the passing game, specifically quarterback Marcel Reed. They will still need a strong run game to create a well-balanced offense. This is where the Aggies will turn to the likes of Rueben Owens.

The former five-star prospect and a crown jewel of the Texas A&M 2023 recruiting class is still waiting to show off what made him such a highly touted prospect.

After missing all but two games last season with a Lisfranc fracture, Owens is reportedly rounding back into form. That is according to Aggies' offensive coordinator Collin Kelin.

"He's a lot closer. There are flashes of what I know he can be and what he knows he can be," Klein said. "He's still battling a little bit. I'm not worried about him at all. I expect him to be a big difference-maker."

Rueben Owens
Oct 26, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies running back Le'Veon Moss (8) celebrates after scoring a touchdown with running back Rueben Owens (2) against the LSU Tigers in the fourth quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images. | Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

The Lisfranc fracture robbed the El Campo, Texas, native of his opportunity to break out following a promising freshman campaign. Owens had totaled 385 yards and three touchdowns on 101 carries while playing in 13 games.

As the Aggies were preparing for last season, their first under head coach Mike Elko, Owens went down with the injury during the first fall scrimmage. An injury that didn't see him make his return until the regular season finale loss to the Texas Longhorns.

Now, with Owens back in the fold for the Aggies as they head into next season. They do so with a potential running back duo, thanks to last season's breakout of Le'Veon Moss.

With Owens looking on from the sidelines, Moss led the team in rushing with 765 yards and 10 touchdowns on 121 carries before seeing his season ended with an injury.


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Harrison Reno
HARRISON RENO

Harrison Reno is a contributing writer for Texas Longhorns on SI and Texas A&M Aggies on SI. He is a rising senior at the University of Georgia studying journalism. In addition to his work covering the Longhorns and Aggies, he has previously covered multiple NFL teams as a contributing writer for On SI and other networks, including the Dallas Cowboys.