Terique Owens, a name that resonates with football fans due to his lineage as the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Terrell Owens, is carving his own path in the National Football League (NFL). As a wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers, Terique has been making headlines not just for his famous last name but for his determination, athletic prowess, and journey to establish himself in the highly competitive world of professional football.
This article delves into Terique Owens’ background, his college career, his NFL journey, and the latest developments surrounding his career, while also addressing the public’s curiosity about his presence on platforms like YouTube and Google Trends. With a focus on the most recent information available, we aim to provide a comprehensive and engaging look at this emerging talent.
Early Life and Background
Terique Owens was born into a family synonymous with NFL greatness. His father, Terrell Owens, is a legendary wide receiver whose electrifying performances with the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, and other teams earned him a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Terrell’s iconic moments, such as “The Catch II” against the Green Bay Packers in 1998, cemented his status as one of the NFL’s all-time greats, ranking third in career receiving yards. Growing up in the shadow of such a towering figure, Terique was exposed to the world of professional sports from an early age. However, his journey to football was not as straightforward as one might expect.
Initial Reluctance to Football
Interestingly, Terique did not initially gravitate toward football. As a young athlete, he was more passionate about basketball. “I always wanted to play basketball,” Terique shared in an interview. “I wasn’t a big fan of football. My mom tried to get me to play football, but I didn’t care to play.” It wasn’t until his sophomore year at Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland, California, that he decided to give football a try. Despite limited playing time in high school, Terique discovered a love for the sport, setting the stage for his future endeavors.
Physical Attributes
Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing approximately 200 pounds, Terique possesses the physical build of a prototypical NFL wide receiver. His athletic metrics are impressive, with a reported 40-yard dash time of 4.51 seconds, a vertical jump of 38.5 inches, and a broad jump of 10 feet, 4 inches during his pro day at Missouri State. These numbers highlight his speed, explosiveness, and potential to make an impact on the field, traits that have drawn comparisons to his father, though Terique has emphasized his quieter, more reserved personality off the field.
College Career: From Florida Atlantic to Missouri State
Terique’s college football journey began at Florida Atlantic University (FAU), where he played for two seasons. His time at FAU was a period of growth, though he did not yet stand out as a dominant player. Seeking a better opportunity to showcase his skills, Terique transferred to Missouri State University, where he would make significant strides as a wide receiver.
Breakout at Missouri State
At Missouri State, Terique’s talent began to shine. In his senior year (2023), he recorded his most productive season, catching 28 passes for 528 yards, averaging an impressive 18.9 yards per catch, and scoring four touchdowns. His performance placed him second on the team in receiving yards, behind only Raylen Sharpe. These statistics demonstrated his ability to make big plays and contribute significantly to the Bears’ offense, despite the team’s relatively low passing volume (averaging just eight passes per game).
Terique’s pro day at the University of Missouri further solidified his potential. Performing in front of over 20 NFL scouts, including representatives from the San Francisco 49ers, he showcased his athleticism and drew attention from professional teams. His father, Terrell, noted that Terique’s speed surpassed his own at a similar age, with Terrell clocking a 4.63-second 40-yard dash pre-draft compared to Terique’s 4.51. This performance was a pivotal moment, setting the stage for his entry into the NFL.
NFL Journey: Signing with the San Francisco 49ers
After going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, Terique Owens caught the attention of the San Francisco 49ers, the same team where his father began his illustrious career. The 49ers invited Terique to their Local Pro Day in Santa Clara, where he impressed coaches and front-office personnel. On April 28, 2024, the 49ers signed him as an undrafted free agent (UDFA), a move celebrated by fans and media alike for its nostalgic connection to Terrell Owens’ legacy.
Terrell Owens was present at the Local Pro Day, visibly invested in his son’s journey, which added a heartwarming layer to Terique’s signing. The 49ers’ decision to sign Terique was not merely sentimental; his size, speed, and college production made him a promising candidate for their 90-man roster.
Training Camp and Injury Setback
Terique’s first NFL training camp with the 49ers began in July 2024, offering him a chance to compete for a roster spot. However, his aspirations were temporarily derailed by a hand injury. Early in camp, he suffered a small fracture in his right hand, which sidelined him for an estimated 5-7 weeks. On August 7, 2024, the 49ers waived him with an injury designation, and he reverted to injured reserve the following day. By August 15, 2024, he was waived with an injury settlement, allowing him to become a free agent once healthy.
Despite this setback, the 49ers left the door open for a potential return, with reports suggesting they might consider re-signing him if he recovered fully. This period was a challenging one for Terique, as he faced the harsh realities of the NFL’s competitive landscape, where even talented players must overcome obstacles to secure a roster spot.
Return to the 49ers’ Practice Squad
Terique’s resilience paid off when, on October 2, 2024, the 49ers re-signed him to their practice squad. His agent, confirmed by NFL insider Mike Garafolo, announced that Terique was healthy and ready to contribute. This move marked a significant milestone, as it gave Terique another opportunity to prove himself within the 49ers’ organization. His return was met with excitement from fans, who saw it as a chance for the younger Owens to follow in his father’s footsteps in San Francisco.
Reserve/Future Contract
On January 7, 2025, the 49ers took another step in securing Terique’s future with the team by signing him to a reserve/future contract. This deal ensures that he will remain with the organization during the offseason and have a chance to compete for a roster spot in the 2025 training camp. This development underscores the 49ers’ belief in Terique’s potential, despite his rocky start in the NFL. It also positions him to continue developing under the guidance of one of the league’s most respected coaching staffs, led by Kyle Shanahan.
Comparisons to Terrell Owens
Given his father’s legendary status, comparisons between Terique and Terrell Owens are inevitable. Terrell was known for his fiery personality, relentless work ethic, and ability to dominate games with his physicality and speed. Terique, however, describes himself as quieter and more reserved, preferring to listen and observe rather than emulate his father’s vocal presence.
Despite these differences, Terique’s physical attributes and playing style draw parallels to Terrell’s. Both are tall, physical receivers capable of making big plays, and Terique’s 4.51-second 40-yard dash suggests he has the speed to stretch the field, much like his father did.
Work Ethic and Training
Terique inherited his father’s work ethic, a trait that was evident even before the draft. He trained twice a day, often delivering groceries between sessions to support himself while preparing for his pro day. This dedication impressed 49ers general manager John Lynch, who had faced Terrell Owens as a safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and saw similar potential in Terique during his pre-draft workout at Levi’s Stadium. Terique’s commitment to improving his craft has been a key factor in his ability to overcome early career challenges and secure opportunities with the 49ers.
Public Interest and Online Presence
Public curiosity about Terique Owens extends beyond his on-field performance, with many fans searching for content about him on platforms like YouTube and tracking his popularity on Google Trends. While there is limited information specifically addressing Terique’s presence on YouTube, his connection to Terrell Owens and his recent NFL developments have generated buzz online. Fans are eager to find highlights of his college games, interviews, or training footage, particularly from his time at Missouri State or his 49ers workouts.
YouTube searches for “Terique Owens” likely yield a mix of content, including Missouri State game highlights, NFL draft analysis, and fan-made videos discussing his potential. For instance, clips from his 2023 season, where he scored multiple 30+ yard touchdowns, may be available through Missouri State’s official athletics channel or fan uploads. Additionally, videos covering his signing with the 49ers or his father’s commentary on his career might appear in NFL-related content on channels like NFL Network or ESPN.
Google Trends data for “Terique Owens” would likely show spikes in interest corresponding to key moments in his career, such as his signing with the 49ers in April 2024, his waiver due to injury in August 2024, his return to the practice squad in October 2024, and his reserve/future contract in January 2025. These moments align with increased media coverage and social media activity, particularly on platforms like X, where posts from accounts like @MikeGarafolo and @thewaynebreezie have amplified his visibility.
Social Media Sentiment
On X, sentiment toward Terique has been largely positive, with fans expressing excitement about his potential to carry on his father’s legacy. Posts from April 2024 celebrated his signing with the 49ers, with users like @jasrifootball and @OurSf49ers highlighting his college stats and athleticism. A post from @49er_edits in July 2024 noted a “going away to camp” party thrown by Terrell Owens for Terique, showcasing the strong familial support behind his journey. However, some discussions on X have tempered expectations, noting the challenges he faces in a competitive receiver room that includes stars like Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk.
FAQs
What is Terique Owens’ college football background?
Terique’s collegiate journey began at Contra Costa College in 2018, where he recorded 15 receptions for 306 yards. He then transferred to Florida Atlantic University (2019–2020) and subsequently to Missouri State University (2021–2023). At Missouri State, his senior year in 2023 was particularly notable, with 28 receptions for 528 yards and four touchdowns .
What is Terique Owens’ current status with the San Francisco 49ers?
As of the latest available information, Terique Owens is listed as an active player on the San Francisco 49ers roster, wearing jersey number 83 . He has spent time on the team’s practice squad and participated in training camps, aiming to secure a spot on the active roster.
Are there any notable highlights from Terique Owens’ college career?
During his senior year at Missouri State, Terique averaged 18.86 yards per reception, ranking 12th nationally and second in the Missouri Valley Football Conference . His performance showcased his big-play ability and potential as a deep-threat receiver.
How does Terique Owens compare to his father, Terrell Owens?
While both share the position of wide receiver and a passion for football, Terique is carving out his own path in the sport. Terrell Owens had a storied NFL career, and Terique is in the early stages of his professional journey, focusing on development and seizing opportunities as they arise.
In Summary
Terique Owens is more than just the son of a Hall of Famer; he is a determined young athlete forging his own path in the NFL. From his late start in football to his standout college season at Missouri State, and from his injury setback to his return to the San Francisco 49ers’ practice squad, Terique’s journey is one of resilience and potential. His reserve/future contract signed in January 2025 marks a new chapter, offering him a chance to compete for a roster spot in 2025 and continue his father’s legacy in San Francisco.
Public interest in Terique, as seen through YouTube searches and Google Trends, reflects a desire to see him succeed, both for his own merits and for the nostalgic connection to Terrell Owens. While challenges remain, including a competitive receiver room and the need to prove himself as more than a legacy player, Terique’s athleticism, work ethic, and opportunity with the 49ers position him for a promising future. As he prepares for the 2025 season, all eyes will be on Terique Owens to see if he can make his mark in the NFL and add another chapter to the Owens family’s storied football history.
To read more, Click Here.
Leave a Reply