JUCO DL amazed with AU visit

When Copiah-Lincoln Community College defensive lineman Tyree Owens scheduled an official visit to Auburn, he expected to enjoy the weekend and see a good game.

Just not as good a game as the one he witnessed Saturday night.

“It was amazing,” Owens said of Auburn’s thrilling 18-13 win over LSU inside Jordan-Hare Stadium. “It was crazy at the end. It was really crazy. People thought we’d lost and then all of the sudden we won.”

Owens was impressed with Auburn’s defense, particularly the defensive line. The Tigers’ front four limited LSU star running back Leonard Fournette for much of the game, something Auburn didn’t do a year ago.

Owens credited the Tigers’ success to the depth along the defensive line.

“They rotate a lot of players and I got to see that,” Owens said. “It wasn’t just the starting group. They’d send in another group once they got tired. That definitely helped out a lot.”

Owens is considering joining the group next spring. The December graduate is high on Auburn after his weekend visit.

“It’s an amazing place,” Owens said. “I could definitely see myself playing here. Coach (Rodney) Garner and Coach (Gus) Malzahn said they want me and they need me. They think I could be a great player here.”

Owens, who is listed as 6-foot-5 and 280 pounds, could project at strongside end or tackle at Auburn. He doesn’t have a preference.

Owens visited Kentucky last weekend and is scheduled to visit Texas A&M on Oct. 7. He doesn’t plan to announce a decision until after his visits.

“I’m still going through the process,” Owens said.

Owens signed with West Virginia in 2014 and spent one season with the Mountaineers before transferring to Copiah-Lincoln in Wesson, Miss. He will have two years of eligibility remaining after junior college.