Max Owens

[Riddlewire]

Pop quiz, hotshot:
Who's the fastest player in Scout's database?
LaQuinton Jefferson? Nope.
DaSquizz Washington? Nope.
Naji Abdul Faquah?Nope.

It's this guy...

Max Owens is his name. Speed is his game.
Max is a CB/RB from Virginia in the 2011 Class.
5'11" 185lbs.
40: 4.25s

I don't have any of his stats. I don't know if his team is any good. I don't even know if he's any good at his positions.
This isn't the usual prospect post.

I wanted to draw attention to the type of criminal libel that our athletes have to quietly endure.
Why 'libel'? Take a look at Max's Rivals page.
Link

Do you see that article mentioned under "latest news"? That's a combine report where Max ran an electronically timed 4.25 in the 40yd dash (independently confired in this good article about Max). Now look at the 40 time that Rivals lists for him. Strange, huh? Yet that's a common occurrence for white football players on Rivals. Their own profile page reveals an officially confirmed 40 time (buried in a link), yet they inflate it for the only listing that appears on the page itself. Clearly, this is a proven lie. And since athletic scholarships are worth big money (and can affect future employment opportunities), the term 'libel' is apt. They are knowingly lying about Max in a way that can seriously damage his future.
Unsurprisingly, Max has no scholarship offers. He remains buried by the recruiting services which claim to find the "best athletes".

Here are his highlight films, if you want to take a look at him.
He looks like a great tackler on D. Though the uncreative offense prevents him from getting much space to use on the other side of the ball.
Junior highlights
Senior highlights

 

[Colonel_Reb]

Great post, Riddlewire! Seeing these kinds of lies infuriates me. If it can be done, I'm going to try to find someone to email about this to see if they will "update" his time.

 

[trackster]

If his 4.2 is legit, he should be showing up at the top of some track meets soon and be a shoe-in for a scholarship in that sport. Let's face it, though: Those football "highlights" were dreadful. He doesn't look particularly fast or shifty, and his longest run is about 15 yards. He runs like a magnet for tacklers. Maybe he just can't move in pads? Make him a sprinter.

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

excellent find AND post, Riddlewire. this is more dynamic documentation of the Caste System.

 

[FootballDad]

Interestingly, Owens plays for Cox High School, which is in Virginia Division/Class AAA, which is the largest schools, typically 1,500 or more students. So it's not like he's playing for a small, rural 8-man school. They looked to be okay, going 7-3 before getting dusted in the playoffs. It can't be said that he played for a little, nothing school that lost all of their games, which is always dug up to sully a white player, but never a "supa afflete".

 

[FootballDad]

Looking at his highlights, he is not an instictive runner, and is slow and hesitant in his cuts. He is one of those players I would go hoarse screaming at to just run! If he just uncorked his straight-line speed on some of those plays, the defenders would only be able to whiff at him as he ran past. Even though I wasn't particularly impressed with any of his highlights, if he were of a different skin shade, with his measurables, schools would be beating down his door to help him develop his "upside".

 

[speed]

Yes, his highlights are weak, but they are from the last 3 games only, and he didn't play full games, although his return to the field helped to recover his team from a losing streak. Max had a severe subtalor dislocation during his last scrimmage just before the season started, which was originally forecast to end his senior season completely. He had intercepted a pass and was tackled after a 30 yard return which caused the freak accident.He sat out nearly the entire season, but his return was a huge contributing factor in his team making the playoffs. Here is an article where he returned and made a game saving WR catch:
http://hamptonroads.com/2010/10/fridays-football-scoreshighlights-2
He's lucky to have any gamefilm at all...nobody's fault, just the facts. However, his "hands" are well known, and his speed is even better known....but he is just not getting the looks you would imagine with this kind of official time, laser clocked at 4.20 flat. He's got great grades and very high SAT scores. He's been tuturing his teammates in physics and algebra/Geometry/Trig. He's the fastest graduating senior football prospect in the nation according to most databases. He leaps 37inches (also an official measure). He catches well in traffic. He is a tremendous open field tackler, plays corner very athletically. Serious of tough breaks, I guess, made all the difference. I expect that we'll see him in a college lineup somewhere though, just not where you would have expected.

 

[Riddlewire]

Thanks for the post, speed.
It sounds like you're close to the situation. If you hear anything about Max's college options in the future, please keep us informed.

Regarding his abilities:
We don't post athletes here unless we are seriously impressed with them. The threads in this forum contain the best high school football players in the nation. Some of them get scholarships, others are completely overlooked. But they all have one thing in common.

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

I haven't watched the highlights yet, but if he doesn't have the instincts to hesitate, cut, juke and then launch like a rocket into the hole that opens up then why won't an FBS team offer him at WR, CB or Safety instead? Scouts are always talking about how speed kills and this kid has the fastest 40 time in the nation according to BrownieScout.com. Plus this kid is young and can always learn and improve with practice. This is a mind boggling situation in the land of "liberty" and "justice". There must be a reason for ignoring this kid's amazing upside? Some one clue me in?

 

[sunshine]

Love to see this type of speed. Been off i-net for ages thanks for the find.

 

[sunshine]

If anyone hears where this guy was recruited let us know I can't find anything at moment darn. Also at same camp the 2nd fastest time was Brandte McIntyre a QB class of 2012 . Ran a 4.40 forty.

 

[Carolina Speed]

Riddlewire,

Thisisonly my second post, so excuse my ignorance, but how do you get an athlete exposure on rivals or any other recruiting site. I posted earlier on the track and field board about a whiteathlete in N. Carolina who at 13 yrs. old won the2010 N.C. 14U AAU 100meters, 11.6, 2nd in the 200 m., NUC Combine, had a 4.7 40: 4.25 shuttle, 22 reps 135lbs., 5'10 170lbs., I think is impressive at 13 yrs.Placed 6th in the country at The 2009 AAU Junior Olympics in the 100 meters. Have tried to contact rivals, with no response. I know its early, but trying to get him some help.He is now14 yrs. old in his freshman year.(4.6 40: 4.2 shuttle: 32 reps 135lbs: 5'11, 180lbs.HB,SS)Here's a link to his 100 meter performanceat The 2009 AAU Junior Olympics in Des Moines, Iowa. Thanks.Oh yeah, he's in lane 6.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ogOTo2f5uM

 

[Riddlewire]

Riddlewire,
<div> </div>
<div>This is only my second post, so excuse my ignorance, but how do you get an athlete exposure on rivals or any other recruiting site. I posted earlier on the track and field board about a white athlete in N. Carolina who at 13 yrs. old won the 2010 N.C. 14U  AAU 100meters, 11.6, 2nd in the 200 m., NUC Combine, had a 4.7 40:  4.25 shuttle,  22 reps 135lbs., 5'10 170lbs., I think is impressive at 13 yrs.  Placed 6th in the country at The 2009 AAU Junior Olympics in the 100 meters. Have tried to contact rivals, with no response. I know its early, but trying to get him some help. He is now 14 yrs. old in his freshman year. (4.6 40: 4.2 shuttle: 32 reps 135lbs: 5'11, 180lbs.HB,SS) Here's a link to his 100 meter performance at The 2009 AAU Junior Olympics in Des Moines, Iowa. Thanks.  Oh yeah, he's in lane 6.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ogOTo2f5uM</div>
<div> </div>

It's a "black box" system. Meaning you can't access it from the outside.
Rivals has regional representatives all over the country. From my understanding, these guys are responsible for submitting names to the Rivals database. Without their approval, the only way to get in is to attend an official Rivals combine (and, of course, to pay the fee).
I'm not sure I would bother with Rivals. It's all a tragic joke. Hunter Furr competed in a combine with his 4.3 (and 10.4) speed and, although he was listed in the database, he was still a "no star" until the scholarship offer from North Carolina.
If a white kid gets noticed and develops recruiting "buzz", it's not because of any abilities he has or efforts made on his behalf. It's just pure dumb luck. I'll post a new athlete later today (if I remember to) illustrating this point. Although I don't think any more evidence is needed. The best high school running back in a decade is sitting at home somewhere, never having the opportunity to play college football. Others who are equally good are forced to walk-on and serve as cannon fodder for affletes on special teams.

 

[Carolina Speed]

Thanks for the info. Riddlewire.He has tried to start the process as early as possible, only to see that their are fees involved or you need to pay a so-calledrecruiting center to get exposure. I did advise he go to combines, because he was told by a D-1 football coach to get some scores and send DVDs of his games. He actually got a response from 2 D-1 coaches, who after seeing game film, track video, and combine scores said there was potential and to keep sending info as he progressed through high school. Interesting you mentioned Hunter Furr, I have talked to him about the whole process of his recruitment and was trying to get comparisons on he and Zac at the same age. Hunters times at that same age were about the same as Zacs, but Hunter said he wasn't as big, saying he was only about 5'8, 155-160lbs. Getting back to paying fees, I have also been told not to pay for any combines, but I know of only 1 that doesn't require a charge.I thought it was a good idea to get scores out there so recruiters could see what you did at the combines, instead of just telling them the info. If its on the combine site, you know its official, right?

I know this is alot, but I've enjoyed this site for awhile and I've seen some interesting things goin on out there and they need to be told. Will not give up and will keep posting. Appreciate any comments!

 

[FootballDad]

Hey Carolina Speed,

Here is a link to the National Underclassmen Football Combine schedule. This is the organization that is directly tied to Rivals, and where Rivals gets much of their player data. My son, who is going from 8th grade ball to high school FB next year will be attending a couple of these this spring.

 

[Carolina Speed]

Thanks Football Dad,

He went to one NUC Combine last year, his 8th grade year, Charlotte, N.C. at Patton High School. He had excellent numbers, I believe their posted at the NUC site 2010 Charlotte Combine andhe was invited to The Ultimate 100 Combine, Atlanta, GA. He didn't attend Atlanta, because of a track conflict, butmay go this year. I was also there, so if you have any questions about the combine let me know. I didn't realize Rivals was directly tied to NUC. Thanks for the info.I would encourage anyone playing football to get into a good track program. I've seen a good track coachreally help increase the speed of good football players. Don't know if you saw this, but here's a link to Zac's 100 meter performance at the 2009 AAU Junior Olympics. I posted earlier on the Hannah Cunliffe track link. Thanks again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ogOTo2f5uM

 

[Riddlewire]

UPDATE

Nothing definite. The only thing I could find was a blurb on some shady-looking recruiting website that Max apparently signed on with. It says he was "admitted to" Virginia Military Institute. Nothing wrong with that. VMI plays FCS football. However, it doesn't say he got a scholarship. And he wasn't listed in VMI's 2011 signing class. I guess we'll have to wait until Fall to find out. This quote from Max was included:

"Before joining the WASR, I had very few schools who got exposure to what I did on the field. The WASR gave me exposure, and I started to receive alot of attention, and I was able to choose the school I wanted to attend."

LINK

 

[Rock&Roll]

Time for a class action Lawsuitto bring the Rival bias to the forefront. If this kid isa legit 4.2 and is listed on Rivals anything but 4.2 a Lawsuit is warranted.

After reviewing HL's this kid is a track star not a RB. As someone mentioned maybe a change of position and this kids speed would set him apart on the gridiron. I havewitnessed a prep kid who had 4.25 speed who could not translate it onto the field. More to running the Rock than just speed.