VYPE Cover Story: Hometown Legend - El Campo's Owens ready to leave lasting legacy

WALKING AROUND A TOWN THAT BOASTS A POPULATION JUST NORTH OF 12,000 PEOPLE, RUEBEN OWENS II – THE NATION’S NO. 1 RUNNING BACK IN THE CLASS OF 2023 – KNOWS HE MUST ALWAYS SET A GOOD EXAMPLE WITH HIS PLAY ON THE FIELD FOR THE HOMETOWN EL CAMPO RICEBIRDS AND HOW HE CARRIES HIMSELF IN THE COMMUNIT Y JUST 75 MILES SOUTHEAST OF DOWNTOWN HOUSTON.

Owens II knows how important football is to this small Texas town.

“El Campo, it’s a small town but it’s real big on football,” he said.

People, especially young kids look up to the four-star Louisville-commit. Owens knows his impact on the next generation. This summer, in between taking official visits and playing 7-on-7, Owens added a new title to his resume – coach.

“I know the kids love being around me, they want to learn and play ball,” Owens II said about coaching Little League football this summer. “I want to teach them some things that can help them at the next level.

“When I was younger, it was just the coaches. I remember being a Little Bird, good days. It’s a lot of fun. The kids they learn pretty fast. A lot of them have some talent.”