Tulsa picks up another local commitment in 2018 class

On Saturday night, Bixby (OK) offensive lineman Josh Owens committed to Tulsa over numerous other offers. The 6-foot-4 and 270-pound right tackle became the fourth member of the Hurricane’s 2018 recruiting class.

“Tulsa is close to home, and the coaches are great people,” Owens told Inside Tulsa Sports. “It’s an amazing education, and they are a great football team. It’s a great place. I like the campus, how it’s kind of all close together.”

Owens chose Tulsa over offers from Nevada, Air Force, Utah State, North Texas, Ohio, Texas State, Stephen F. Austin, Montana and others. A big part of his decision appears to be the connection he made with Tulsa offensive line coach Mike Bloesch, as well as TU head coach Philip Montgomery.

“I really like Coach Bloesch and Coach Monty,” he said. “Coach Bloesch is a really good guy. I’ve been in contact with him since my sophomore year. He has always treated me really well, and we’ve built a great relationship over a couple years.

“I’ve met Coach Monty a few times and just recently started really talking to him. He’s just a good old country boy and seems really down to earth, which I really like.”

As a junior last season, Owens helped Bixby average over 480 yards per games on its way to a third consecutive state championship.

“I like going out in space, on screens and stuff,” he said of his strengths at his position. “I’m a little lighter for an offensive lineman, so I move pretty well side to side.”

Owens joins Skiatook (OK) running back TK Wilkerson, Jones (OK) defensive end Dalton May and League City (TX) Clear Springs receiver Peyton Sawyer in Tulsa’s 2018 class.