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          On The Trail

          UA jersey tour: Chris Owens

          • Gerry Hamilton, ESPN Staff WriterOct 2, 2015, 09:15 PM
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            • National recruiting analyst
            • More than a decade covering recruiting, nationally and in Texas
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          WATCH: Chris Owens UA jersey presentation

          ARLINGTON, Texas – Alabama guard commitment Chris Owens was presented with his Under Armour All America jersey on Friday afternoon, in a ceremony at Arlington Lamar High School.

          For the No. 89-ranked prospect in the Class of 2016, Friday’s ceremony was a reward and reminder that hard work and determination pays off.

          “To me, (being selected for the Under Armour game) mean a lot,” said Owens. “It means my hard work and dedication have paid off. When I was younger I always looked up to those guys on ESPN playing, so I said one day I want to be there. Finally being there now is kind of unreal to me.”

          Owens is an Under Armour All-America Game first for Arlington Lamar High. That honor is not lost upon the 6-foot-3, 312-pounder.

          “It means a lot to me, but I think it means more for our school. It helps put Lamar even more on the map, we have a lot of talented guys in these locker rooms and it will help get more exposure for Lamar. Hopefully we can get more guys in the Under Armour Game in the future.”

          Owens, the No. 4-ranked guard in the country, committed to Alabama April 22 and has not looked back. The reasons for selecting the Crimson Tide were simple.

          “Professionalism and the attention to detail. Coach Saban or whoever it is for Alabama was calling a minute after we were supposed to be at a certain place on our visit. They have stability knowing they will compete every year no matter what position coaches are there. The ability to compete every year is big,”

          Seven questions with Chris Owens:

          What player are you looking forward to competing with or against in the Under Armour All-America Game?

          "Kendell Jones. He’s so big and I didn’t get to go against him in any of the Nike camps or anything. I will be going against him every day in practice at Alabama, so I would like to get the head start on him."

          If you could start a team with any player in your class, who would it be and why?

          "Shane Buechele, of course. Best quarterback in the nation. I’ve been with him since second grade, and I just know he will be able to get the job done."

          What is your earliest football memory?

          "The earliest memory I have is probably second or third grade when I was playing middle linebacker. I did my best Troy Polamalu impersonation. I crowded the line, jumped over the center, hit the quarterback and caused a fumble."

          Which football player did you watch as a kid?

          "As a kid it was Ray Lewis. I wore 52 for years. I just liked the intensity he brought and always tried to mimic that."

          If you could take on any pro in their sport, who would it be and why?

          "Probably J.J. Watt. Just to see how well I could compete against him. See how badly he would overpower me at this time. That would be fun."

          What number do your wear, and why?

          "I wear 72 right now because originally I was playing defensive end. I thought I was going to stay there and I wanted to wear that because Michael Bennett was my favorite defensive end at the time."

          What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

          "Probably, that I can really cook some food. My mom made sure I knew that you can take care of yourself no matter what. I can really cook. I watch Master Chef, Hell’s Kitchen, Chopped and Top Chef. Sometimes I fall asleep with the cooking channel on."