Clemson football: Zechariah Owens’ commitment gives Tigers a Big Three on offensive line
By John Chancey
Clemson’s 16th commitment of the 2023 class is a big one in more ways than one.
A long awaited announcement for Zechariah Owens has given Clemson football their third big offensive line recruit of the 2023 class.
Owens announced his commitment to the Tigers on July 4th. He is 6’-5.5” and weighs 365 lbs. He is getting ready to start his senior season at Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy in McDonough, Georgia. He is a 4-star prospect in the 247 Composite and is ranked 169th nationally.
Owens joins Ian Reed of Austin, Texas and Harris Sewell of Odessa, Texas in Thomas Austin’s first offensive line class. While Reed projects as a tackle and Sewell as a guard/center, Owen’s projection is not as clear. He plays tackle in high school, but due his size and power, he might fit better at guard.
Eagle’s Landing plays at the Georgia Class A Private level, so one of the first things you notice in Owen’s Hudl highlights is the massive size advantage he has over his high school opponents. 247 notes this in their assessment, but also notes how Owen’s shows remarkable speed for a man his size:
"Displays impressive movement ability relative to size and bulk. Capable pass protector whose ceiling in that department should be quite high. Kick slides naturally and shows encouraging heavy-handedness when setting. Bends better than expected and plays with good leverage relative to higher center of gravity."
Mammoth offensive lineman Zechariah Owens is a candidate to be cross-trained upon arrival at Clemson
After watching Owens’ film, I’m equally perplexed about which position will fit him best when he gets to Clemson. My initial thought is that the tackle position requires quite a bit of agility and speed, and I wouldn’t think a man carrying 365 pounds could fill that role. Then I see Owens’ moves on film and think he could fit as a tackle. The most likely conclusion is that Clemson will probably cross-train him at both positions, and where he plays will be dictated by need.
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Owens attended Clemson’s official visit weekend at the beginning of June alongside Reed and Sewell. He is the 16th overall commitment for the Tigers in the Class of 2023.