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Meet the most underrated running back in the SEC

Rueben Owens is ready to take the SEC by storm after a quiet freshman season which saw the former four star recruit run for only 385 yards in 13 games for the Texas A&M Aggies. With experience and another year of training under his belt along with a new coaching staff, it is expected for a single running back to emerge for the Aggies in 2024. So why not Owens?

By Peter Bartell

Sep 4, 2021; College Station, Texas, USA; General picture of the SEC logo on the down marker at the game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the Kent State Golden Flashes at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 4, 2021; College Station, Texas, USA; General picture of the SEC logo on the down marker at the game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the Kent State Golden Flashes at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports / Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
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If the Texas A&M Aggies want to have a better season in 2024, they are best off not splitting carries amongst several running backs like in 2023, and Sophomore Rueben Owens could be the answer. The former four star running back was ranked third nationally at the position in the 2023 high school signing class according to On3. As with most freshman, it takes a year or two to get acclimated to the college game, and that was no different for Owens in 2023.

What were Rueben Owen’s stats in 2023?

In 2023, Owens ran for 385 yards on 101 carries and six touchdowns. Although that was only 3.8 yards per carry, his workload was split three ways with 2023 running backs Amari Daniels and Le’Veon Moss.

What does the running back room look like at Texas A&M for 2024?

Moss and Daniels will each be going into their junior years with the Aggies. Although both averaged more yards per carry than Owens in 2023 at around 5.0, Daniels was ranked as the 341st best player nationally and the 23rd best running back in the class of 2021 according to On3. Moss was ranked a bit higher as the 86th best prospect nationally and the third best running back in the class of 2022, but both are older than Owens. And youth is what it is all about.

The Aggies also added running back transfer EJ Smith from Stanford. Smith however has only amassed 557 the past three years on 109 carries for the Cardinal, which lends me to believe he will be used in more of a complimentary role.

Who is Texas A&M’s offensive coordinator?

Collin Klein came over from Kansas State and will take control of the offense in head coach Mike Elko’s first year in College Station. And Klein could be the reason we see Owens emerge as you can anticipate more of a workhorse load with the majority of carries going to one running back under Klein unlike last year for the Aggies.

Last year at Kansas State, Klein relied heavily on running back DJ Giddens who ran for 1,226 yards on 223 carries. This was about double the production of second string running back for the Wildcats, Treshaun Ward.

With more time left in his career and his bruising style of running similar to that of Giddens, do not be surprised if Owens becomes the workhorse back for the Aggies in 2024.

What was Texas A&M’s record in 2023?

In 2023, the Aggies went 7-6 overall and 4-4 in the SEC, which was good enough for fourth in the SEC West. This led to the firing of head coach Jimbo Fisher. With new head coach Mike Elko coming over from Duke after two season in Durham along with new coordinators on each side of the ball, look for a much revamped Aggies team. And part of that should be one primary ball carrier given Klein’s background and stats of his running backs as a play caller, combined with the Aggies’ desire to have a better output on the field.

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