Erie, Pa. - Mercyhurst Football continues to stay in the news with a former member of the team making a big splash as former Mercyhurst running back Garrett Owens was drafted to the XFL Wednesday. Owens heard his name called in the second round of the 2022 XFL Draft by the Houston Roughnecks as he now continues his time on the gridiron. The XFL revived itself in 2020 as a competitor with the NFL, CFL, AFL, etc., and has seen continual growth due to the true talent with Owens joining that group.

"I got that call and I kind of knew what it was going to be," said Owens, reflecting on his moment. "Coach Wade Phillips calls me and says they drafted me and I just started smiling and thanked him."

The native of North East, Pa. spent four season with the Lakers, beginning with a redshirt season in 2016. He began his time on the field in 2017 with a bang, playing in 10 games while leading the team in rushing yards (762) and all-purpose yards (927). Owens also became the second player to eclipse 200 rushing yards in a game against Lock Haven in a contest where he had 204 yards on 27 attempts and a touchdown. 

He rushed for over 200 yards again in 2018 when he set a career-high with 268 yards and three touchdowns against cross-town rivals, Gannon, in a game the Lakers won 38-21. During his second campaign, Owens led the team in rushing yards and all-purpose yards again with 995 on the ground and 1,215 overall while finding the end zone nine times during the year.

"Garrett was a versatile player," Said Head Coach Ryan Riemedio when talking about the type of talent Owens was. "He was the right balance of speed, power, and athleticism to make him a threat you need to game plan for."

Owens rounded out his career with Mercyhurst in 2019 with his best season yet, setting a career-high for rushing touchdowns (16) and tying the previous record held by Brandon Brown-Dukes in 2012. He added 982 rushing yards to his line in 2019 to go along with 31 catches for 342 yards and a pair of TDs on his way to being named a member of the All-PSAC West Offensive First Team.

For his career, the running back's 2,752 yards rank third in program history behind Brown-Dukes and Richard Stokes while his 3,763 all-purpose yards rank fifth all-time. He is third in rushing touchdowns and his 36 total scores puts him tied for third as he showed himself to be one of the better in the school's history in moving the sticks and pushing past the pylon.

Owens was a leader off the field as well as on as he commanded the team's attention with his work ethic and character day in and day out, catching the attention of more than just the players. "Garrett always led by example. His approach to practice, the weight room, and meetings were always the same. His work ethic was contagious and guys fed off of it," said Riemedio. "I'm excited for Garrett and the Owens family. It's amazing to see a former player get to do what he loves and something he worked so hard for come to fruition."

The former Laker spoke on the impact that his move to the XFL can have on those now currently at Mercyhurst, saying "Don't ever let anyone tell you you can't do something, including yourself. That's what I left the young guys with when I left and I live that today."

Owens reports to the Roughneck's camp in early 2023 with Houston's first game set for February 18th.