Aurora junior Mack Owens is looking to build off of his breakout junior season and his recruitment is starting to take shape. 

His first scholarship offer was from Division II Wayne State. Division I schools Vanderbilt, Wyoming, Northern Illinois, South Dakota State and regional Division II schools have shown significant interest. 

“Northern Illinois is the school I talk to the most, at least once a week. Wyoming assistant coach (Aaron) Bohl and I talk twice a week,”  the 6-foot-2, 200-pound athlete said. “NIU and SDSU are the schools recruiting me the hardest right now.”

He has done two virtual visits so far this year. One with South Dakota State and what NIU called a private virtual visit. 

Owens is being recruited primarily as a WIL inside linebacker. He led the 2020 Class B runner-up Huskies in rushing with 1,215 yards on 222 carries and 16 touchdowns. On defense he recorded 81 total tackles, including five tackles for loss and three sacks. 

Owens is hoping the NCAA’s suspension of in-person recruiting will be lifted later this spring which will allow him to take more formal visits this summer. On Feb. 17 the DI Football, Men’s and Women’s Basketball Oversight Committees and Division I Legislative committee recommended the extension of the suspension through May 31. 

“NIU and Wyoming are the schools that I really want to get to,” Owens said. “Most schools aren’t going to offer until you get to campus.”

Owens is a multi-sport athlete and is participating in track this spring, primarily in the high jump, 400-meter dash and 4×400 relay. In February, he finished runner-up at the Class B State Wrestling Tournament at 182-pounds. 

With just one year of experience as a linebacker, Owens is still learning the position. 

“I want to get better at learning the game,” he said. “This was my first year at linebacker after playing defensive back. I feel like I progressed but understanding the defensive schemes and how football works. Getting better at the little things is my goal in the offseason.”