LaDarius Owens' father might have played football at Auburn back in the eighties, but if it's up to UT's staff the younger Owens will be wearing orange and white on Saturdays.
Owens is a beast in the secondary at 6'2-225 who can run a 4.49 / 40 yard dash. No wonder he is rated the #98 player and the #8 outside linebacker in the entire nation. And considering UT's need for physical linebackers and coach Lance Thompson's ties to Alabama, it's no wonder UT has made Owens a top priority in the 2010 class.
If Owens had committed last Friday as planned, there is no doubt in my mind that he would've chosen Auburn since that was who was forcing his hand to commit. Likewise, there is no doubt in my mind that the VOLS were a big reason why Owens delayed his announcement. All I can say is that Owens is at the top of Monte and Thompson's wish list and Owens likes the idea of playing for the person who developed Derrick Brooks into a great outside linebacker.
Auburn fans are crazy if they think that Auburn's coaches are behind this delayed announcement. They should have gotten Owens to commit a long time ago considering the depth Alabama has at linebacker. It's safe to say Owens was the "big recruiting news" that Auburn had promised fans the last two weekends. Now coaches will be focused on Fall camp and the upcoming season which runs the risk of someone jumping Auburn on Owens' short list.
At the end of the day, Bama has too many linebackers and it comes down between Auburn and Tennessee. Considering Thompson's success recruiting Alabama while with the Tide, I like the VOLS chances, a lot. Owens may wind up at Auburn, but is by no means a lock to do so.
