Tyler Owens

Tyler Owens (born May 12, 2001) is an American football safety for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas Longhorns and Texas Tech Red Raiders and signed with the Commanders as an undrafted free agent in 2024.

Early life
Owens was born on May 12, 2001, in Plano, Texas, later attending Plano East Senior High School where he played football and ran on the track team. As a senior, he totaled 67 tackles, eight pass breakups and two interceptions while being selected to the All-American Bowl. He was also a top athlete on the track team. A top safety recruit, he was ranked by sources as a four- or five-star prospect. He committed to play college football for the Texas Longhorns.

College career
As a true freshman at Texas in 2019, Owens appeared in 13 games and started one, posting eight tackles. He then totaled two tackles in nine games in 2020, and two tackles in five games in 2021. He entered the NCAA transfer portal after the season and ultimately transferred to the Texas Tech Red Raiders. In his first year at Texas Tech, Owens appeared in 12 games, started two, and had 19 tackles along with two forced fumbles and an interception. He returned to the team in 2023 and had a career-best 37 tackles with two pass breakups.

Owens was invited to the East–West Shrine Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine. At the combine, he recorded the best vertical jump among safeties and had a 12 ft broad jump, which was one inch short of the world record.

Professional career
Owens signed with the Washington Commanders as an undrafted free agent in 2024.

Personal life
Owens received media attention for an interview at the 2024 NFL Combine where he expressed support for the Flat Earth theory and said that he does not believe in outer space or other planets.