The college football world is reeling from the heartbreaking news of James E. Owens Jr.‘s passing on November 10, 2025, in a devastating head-on collision in Chilton County, Alabama. The 20-year-old defensive lineman, a junior at Huntingdon College (a Division III program in Montgomery, Ala.), was driving his 2019 Chevrolet Camaro when it collided with a Toyota Tundra around 5:30 a.m. on U.S. Highway 82, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Highway Patrol Division. Both drivers, including a 42-year-old man in the Tundra, were pronounced dead at the scene. The crash remains under investigation, with no further details released on contributing factors.
Owens, a Tuscaloosa native and former standout at Northridge High School, embodied the grit and heart of a small-school warrior. At 6-foot-3 and 280 pounds, he anchored the Huntingdon Hawks’ defensive line with relentless motor and technique, recording 45 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks over his career—numbers that turned heads in scouting circles despite the level of play. Teammates and coaches hailed him not just for his on-field disruption but for his off-field light: a quiet leader who checked on everyone, flashed a disarming smile, and uplifted the locker room. Just days before the accident, on November 7, he was baptized on the team’s practice field at Charles Lee Stadium—a moment of profound faith that Huntingdon chaplain Rhett Butler described as “abundantly assured,” noting Owens’ deep love for Jesus and desire to witness to others.
While not affiliated with the Texas Longhorns as some early rumors suggested, Owens’ story has rippled across the sport, evoking grief in communities far beyond Montgomery. His high school tape drew interest from bigger programs, and whispers of transfer potential or post-collegiate pro paths (perhaps via the FCS or UFL) painted him as a “sleeper” with first-round upside—raw power, quick hands, and that unteachable fire. In a Division III landscape often overlooked, he was the decade’s quiet disruptor, a prospect whose trajectory screamed future stardom.
Head coach Mike Turk, speaking to WSFA 12 News on November 18, shared the team’s resolve amid sorrow: “It has been one of those weeks where we need each other… We went back to work on Tuesday and started trying to get ready [for Belhaven], as I know James would have wanted us to do.” Turk emphasized leaning into faith and unity, honoring Owens by playing with the joy he brought daily.
Chaplain Butler added a spiritual layer: “Of everyone I’ve baptized—James stands as the most abundantly assured person. He knew Jesus, loved Jesus, and was insistent on taking the next step of his faith… He realized what a witness his own faith was for the faith of others.” The Hawks dedicated their November 15 win over Belhaven (28-21) to him, wearing “Owens 54” helmet stickers and holding a moment of silence.
Broader Tributes and Community Impact
The news broke widely on November 19, sparking an outpouring on social media. Posts flooded X (formerly Twitter) with condolences, many mistaking or linking him to bigger programs in the shock of the moment—echoing the universal pain of losing a young talent. NFL Network’s Jane Slater, a Texas alumna, shared highlights and a note from Owens’ former defensive coordinator: “Heartbreaking… a career cut too soon.” One viral thread recalled his “insanely bright future,” tying it to a recent blocked-punt touchdown celebration (though that referenced a different player in error, the sentiment held).
Fans and peers echoed the refrain: “He was literally just in the endzone celebrating… Prayers to his family.” Obituaries and memorials, including one via Sterling White Funeral Home, invite shared memories on his tribute wall. Huntingdon’s campus held a vigil on November 20, drawing alumni and locals under the theme “Play Like James”—fierce, faithful, and kind.
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