Ladarius Owens: A Family Man
By Jarrod Milton
Druid Hills High School
12th Grade
Atlanta, GA
Druid Hills High School
12th Grade
Atlanta, GA
Ladarius Owens has proved over the past three years that he knew how to sack a quarterback and catch a running back with power and precision. But, on June 22 he proved that his ability went beyond the field into the pressroom, when he paid a visit to the Auburn High School Journalism Workshop for a mock press conference.
In his interview, Owens showed humility and patience with all of the young students, giving well thought out answers and interesting responses that more than answered each question. This was not a huge surprise from the background that he grew up in. Owens was born in the small town of Bessemer, Alabama. Even at a young age, Owens has always been an Auburn Tiger. His uncle was the first black scholarship athlete at Auburn University and Owens plans to follow the same success and feed off of his support, as well.
“When I am out on that field, I am fighting for my family,” said Owens.
At first, Owens did not think he would be at the college level. Luckily, with a little help from his 18 sacks and 90 tackles as a linebacker at Jess Lanier High School, he was able to get a Division One scholarship from both Auburn and the University of Alabama. But, it was the close-knit family setting of Auburn that pushed Owens to become a part of the Auburn family.
“We’re really a family,” said Owens, “everything that you see us preach on television is real.”
Today, Owens is taking everything one step at a time, as he looks forward to sacking SEC quarterbacks, taking down running backs like Alabama's Trent Richardson and tearing apart his doubters after sitting his freshman season, particularly Alabama's gunslingers.
"I just want to get in and make plays," said Owens.
In his interview, Owens showed humility and patience with all of the young students, giving well thought out answers and interesting responses that more than answered each question. This was not a huge surprise from the background that he grew up in. Owens was born in the small town of Bessemer, Alabama. Even at a young age, Owens has always been an Auburn Tiger. His uncle was the first black scholarship athlete at Auburn University and Owens plans to follow the same success and feed off of his support, as well.
“When I am out on that field, I am fighting for my family,” said Owens.
At first, Owens did not think he would be at the college level. Luckily, with a little help from his 18 sacks and 90 tackles as a linebacker at Jess Lanier High School, he was able to get a Division One scholarship from both Auburn and the University of Alabama. But, it was the close-knit family setting of Auburn that pushed Owens to become a part of the Auburn family.
“We’re really a family,” said Owens, “everything that you see us preach on television is real.”
Today, Owens is taking everything one step at a time, as he looks forward to sacking SEC quarterbacks, taking down running backs like Alabama's Trent Richardson and tearing apart his doubters after sitting his freshman season, particularly Alabama's gunslingers.
"I just want to get in and make plays," said Owens.