He has played a lot of football at the University of Alabama, but one of the biggest moments of his career will happen on Friday versus Notre Dame at the Rose Bowl.
Chris Owens, a redshirt senior from Arlington, Texas, will start at center for the Crimson Tide.
RELATED: Alabama’s DeVonta Smith becomes first WR to win AP Player of the Year
After making four starts at the position in 2019, he will fill in for an injured Landon Dickerson on New Year’s Day.
The 6-foot-3, 315-pounder has seen action at center, offensive tackle, offensive guard and tight end throughout his tenure, while being on three Southeastern Conference title teams (2016, 2018, 2020) and one College Football Playoff National Championship roster in 2017. Owens has played in eight games this year and has totaled 153 snaps. During the media availability, Nick Saban, Steve Sarkisian and multiple players have spoken on the Tide being ‘super confident’ going with the former four-star at center.
According to Mac Jones, the redshirt junior at quarterback said he and Owens have a ‘strong communication level.’
“Chris (Owens) has been here for many years, and he’s also one of my close buddies,” Jones said. “He does a good job. I’ve just been really proud of him.”
Along with Jones, Alex Leatherwood said he is good to roll with Owens.
RELATED: Pete Golding on his butt chewing from Nick Saban at SEC Championship Game: “That’s part of it. That ain’t nothing new”
When it came to Miller Forristall taking the podium, the senior at tight end said Owens ‘is going to get it done.”
“He is ready,” Forristall said of Owens. “He has attacked it hard all week. I trust him, the team trusts him. We are ready to roll.”
Notre Dame has an offensive line that is a finalist for the Joe Moore Award. Leatherwood is very excited for the challenge to compete against the group. Dickerson wants the team to win a national championship for him, and it starts with Owens.
The Tide is all in on him playing well as the next man up.
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber only content!*
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith
