Owens talks new leader

Owens has written offers from South Carolina, North Carolina, East Carolina, Vanderbilt, and NC State. He is also getting interest from Oregon, Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Florida State, Miami, Boston College, Wake Forest, UCLA, Oregon State, Kansas, and others.

The unofficial visit to USC went about as well as it can go for the ESPNU150 Watch List member.

"It was a great experience," Owens said. "Everybody was very welcoming to me. The game was electrifying and it was just a great game. I was able to see the weight room and the media rooms again and they all looked great. I also met some of the players and they were cool."

USC running backs coach Jay Graham is the recruiter of record for Owens. Owens talked to him and USC tight ends coach Jeep Hunter.

"Coach Graham and coach Hunter both talked to me about formations they use for tight ends," Owens said. "Coach Hunter was saying he is not afraid to play young players (true freshman Justice Cunningham actually started the game) and I liked that. Coach Graham was really telling me about how they use their tight ends and how they had one go to the NFL in the draft. He also said they had a freshman start against Kentucky. Our relation is very good. He is a funny guy and talks to me about normal stuff. He really knows how to talk to people."

The 6-foot-6, 221 pounder was also able to meet South Carolina's head coach Steve Spurrier.

"Yeah I was able to speak with Steve Spurrier," Owens said. "That was another great experience talking to him. He knew who I was and was just telling me that they want me at South Carolina."

Owens plans on coming back to South Carolina for the Clemson game later this season. He will be going to East Carolina this weekend. He plans on making a decision during the summer. With the visit to South Carolina, some things have changed with Owens up top.

"South Carolina leads over North Carolina now," Owens said. "South Carolina moved up the ladder because they are playing so well right now."

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