Terique Owens, son of Hall of Fame wide receiver, Terrell Owens, is reportedly signing as an undrafted free agent (UDFA) with the San Francisco 49ers. The elder Owens, who the 49ers drafted in 1996 (third round) out of Tennessee Chattanooga, spent his first eight seasons with the team. He was known for his speed, and strength, using his 6'3, 224-pound frame to bully defensive backs, and run away from defenses. He finished his career with 1,078 catches for 15,934 yards and 153 touchdowns.
Anyone who watched Owens play very much can close their eyes and picture him running through defenses. There was a certain way he ran, taking long strides as he moved down the field. Among those familiar with Owens' running style include 49ers GM John Lynch, who played against the former 49ers receiver.
Owens' son, Terique, was on hand for the 49ers' local pro day earlier this month. Afterward, Lynch noted something familiar in the way the younger Owens ran that reminded him of his Hall of Fame father. "I saw him running at me, and I played against T.O. a lot, and there was something in that stride that was very familiar," Lynch said. "It was something about the gait. And it's crazy how those things translate. Is that just gene pool? Is that modeling the way they watch their dad run?"
At this point, there's no way to know if Owens will play like his dad played, but there was enough in how he ran to remind Lynch a little of what it might have looked like to see number 81 running your way. Owens was big, strong, and fast. Will his son play the same way?
One thing is for sure, the latest Owens to put on a San Francisco uniform will have a harder path to trudge. While his father was drafted in the third round, Owens went undrafted in a year the 49ers drafted two other receivers. If Owens, who played at Missouri State, can land on the practice squad and stay put for the 2024 season, he has a chance to make the active roster in 2025, when the 49ers will likely lose wide receivers Jauan Jennings, Chris Conley, and perhaps, even Deebo Samuel.
At least Owens has Lynch's attention.