Despite the surprising, if not shocking, absence of Peyton Bullinger, Ozark’s secondary will still be a senior-dominated and potentially all-encompassing bunch.
Bullinger has opted not to play as a senior after recording 36 solo stops and assisting on 63 more tackles at free safety last season.
“Peyton is a hard role to fill,” cornerback Brady Owens said.
The Tigers return seniors and speedsters in Owens, Marcus Heavin and Sterling Stine, while senior Sam Clark will also likely on occasion add to his receiving duties and man-up as a defensive back.
Those four teamed for 86 tackles and three interceptions a year ago.
Owens is fresh from a breakout junior season as a sprinter on Ozark’s track team. He ran the first leg while teaming with August McComas, Kannon Williams and Alex Williams in the 4 x 100 relay. Their PR of 43.37 ranks second in school history, with the school record being 43.16.
For Owens, a fulfilling spring sparked optimism for his prospects at cornerback this summer and fall.
“I put on almost 20 pounds since last year,” Owens said. “I figured the weight I put on may affect my speed. But it didn't. I’ve gotten faster and I'm more explosive.
“Now that I'm a bigger guy, I can hit (ball-carriers) easier,” he added. “Last year, I was lighter. Now I feel I can compete and have more confidence to go in and make a hit.”
Owens is now a 5-foot-9, 160-pounder. He’s posted times of 11.45 in the 100-yard dash and 4.6 in the 40, while maxing out in the deadlift at 405 pounds.
It was a concentrated effort on Owens’ part to put on more weight. He’s made a habit of repeating his breakfast at lunch or summer or even as a snack.
“I’ve been going to the gym every day and eating everything in front of me,” Owens said. “I've been big into protein pancakes. Those will put on quite a bit of weight for you. I can put five good ones down with peanut butter.”
Owens is also sporting a different look thanks to his newly grown mustache.
"The mustache is coming in well,” he said. “Hopefully, that will add a little spark to this year for me. I had some peach fuzz my freshman year. That didn't really work out. I've got to look older and be more of a dude this year.”
Owens is whole-heartedly embracing the urgency of his senior season. He's plenty motivated to better his numbers from his junior year that included 17 tackles and an interception, along with two receptions for 29 yards as a receiver.
“I'm excited for this year and want to come out here and do my best for my boys,” Owens said. “I feel I have a lot to prove. I think I left a lot on the table last year. I could have done more.
“It's hard to please myself,” he added. “I have high expectations and high standards. It's always hard to reach those standards, but when I do I feel good about myself."
