Interview: Athletic Talents has 2022 Los Angeles RB Tahj Owens Set to Dominate the Competition
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
It was a breakthrough sophomore season for Tahj Owens, but it was also just the beginning. Owens fulfilled the playmaker role on offense taking 122 carries for 761 yards with seven scores and secured 14 passes for 111 more yards. He pushed his all-purpose yardage over the 1,200-yard milestone taking 18 kicks back 430 yards. When Los Angeles’ Loyola High School needed him on defense, the 5-11, 190-pound, team player showed up tallying 19 tackles with a tackle for a loss, and a pick in roughly eight quarters worth of work.
With all of California on hold for the 2020 season, players, high school coaches, and college coaches alike are in a holding pattern. But the pause in the action has not stopped programs from offering the Cubs’ three-star Class of 2022 recruit. Owens has three scholarship offers in his pocket and many more awaiting film on his junior run.
Interview
Tahj, I have an impossible question for you to answer, but we’ll give it a go anyway. How many carries did you get during the 2019 season when you were not touched?
(Laughs) I think two.
The question points out a couple of things, you received some great blocking but more directly to you, your speed, field vision, and cutting abilities. What are the characteristics of your game that make you so dangerous?
I feel like I have a good acceleration, good at hitting the holes, and reading my blocks. I try to get up field as fast as I can and utilize my blocking while trying to make people miss in the open field picking up as many yards as I can. Running through contact for extra yards and getting first downs is another strength. That is how I characterize my game: a hard runner who get the extra yards and on every play is going for a touchdown.
What offensive set was Loyola executing in 2019?
We ran a lot from under center and in shotgun. We had a 50-50 balance between the pass and the run. I split carries with Harrison Allen last season. Our offense was physical. We would make the plays that we had to make within the offense.
How were the coaches getting the rock into your hands?
I was doing a bit of everything. Inside zone, that is what I mainly did well on. I had some outside zone, some bubble screens, and flat routes to get me in the open space. They called some power runs with two fullbacks in short yardage situations and some jet sweeps for me.
You also got some time in the Cubs secondary; which positions were you playing and how did that part of your season go overall?
I played safety, strong safety. We rotated our safeties. Depending on the play, I would line up at strong or free safety. That part of my season went well. I played one full game at safety; the other two games were a part at safety. I did well in that full game; I had 14 tackles and was pretty good at coverage, even though that was my first time playing safety.
Wow. Even more impressive to learn you put up those stats in so few quarters.
Thank you.
The game impacting speed was also showed on special teams taking the rock back for great field position. I’m ready to find out just how fast you are?
I haven’t run a recent 40 time. The last one was a 4.6, but that was a while ago. I am not sure what it is now. I was not able to run track last season. It was cancelled midway through because of the virus. This spring I am looking to get an accurate time. We are starting track right now, I should get a good time.
Which events will you be competing in this spring?
Most likely the 100, 200, maybe the 400 and I will try some relays like the 4×1 and maybe 4×4.
That’s a lot of events.
I am trying to get faster this year. All those events will help me get stronger and help with my endurance.
No doubt. When the 2020 season gets going here in California, where all might we see you on the field?
Definitely at running back. I might be on defense playing some safety or corner depending on where coach wants me. I will return kicks again, and be motioning out to slot if needed.
How have you been preparing for the season from a strength and speed development standpoint?
Doing a lot of weightlifting. I lift five days a week working on my strength and my explosiveness. I have also been doing a lot of band and hill workouts. Working on speed, running track will help me with that as well. Another thing I have been working on is my running form. Track will help my muscle endurance as well.
Are you guys running the same offensive set this season?
We have been so far. We might add some extra plays in, but for the most part it will be the same.
Are you getting into 7v7?
I played in a tournament two weeks ago. I am trying to play with my school or a club team. It depends all on our season.
Let’s close updating recruiting. Which programs are showing interest?
Fresno State, Columbia, Cal, Arizona, Nevada, and Rice.
How many offers do you have?
I have three. The first to offer was Kansas, then SDSU, and then San Jose State
Getting that first offer, what was that like for you?
It was amazing. After working really hard this offseason, it was hard not having a season in California. That slowed down the recruiting for all the players. With my junior year, I was hoping to put up great stats. I got bigger, faster, and stronger. It was really exciting to get that offer. I felt grateful and blessed.
When allowed, are there any visits you may take later this year?
I’d definitely like to see some schools like Cal, USC and UCLA; they are close to me. Columbia as well. The ones that have offered me, I would like to see the campus and get to learn more about those schools. It is hard right now to learn more about schools without seeing them in person.
Tahj, I enjoyed our conversation and the time learning more about your skills on the field. Wishing you an amazing track season.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Owens family; Tahj Owens