The college football community is reeling from the sudden and heartbreaking death of James E. Owens Jr., a 20-year-old junior defensive lineman at Huntingdon College, who was killed in a head-on car crash earlier this month. Owens, a Tuscaloosa native and standout athlete known for his quiet strength and unshakeable faith, passed away on November 10, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, hard work, and inspiration that far outshone his on-field stats.
What Happened?
Early that Monday morning, around 5:35 a.m., Owens was driving a 2019 Chevrolet Camaro eastbound on U.S. Highway 82 in Chilton County, Alabama, when his vehicle veered into the westbound lane and collided head-on with a Toyota Tundra pickup truck, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA). Both drivers—Owens and 42-year-old Carlee Briggins of Maplesville—were pronounced dead at the scene. The crash remains under investigation by ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division, with no further details released on contributing factors.
Owens, who had just celebrated a personal milestone days earlier, was en route to an unknown destination when the tragedy unfolded. His death came just two weeks before Thanksgiving, amplifying the grief for his family, teammates, and the tight-knit Huntingdon Hawks community.
A Rising Star Cut Short
James wasn’t just a player; he was the heartbeat of Huntingdon’s defensive line. A product of Tuscaloosa’s Northridge High School, where he first turned heads as a dominant force, Owens joined the NCAA Division III program as a freshman in 2023. Over three seasons, he appeared in 13 games, logging 20 tackles—including 10 in five outings this year alone—while anchoring a unit that helped the Hawks to a 4-1 start before his passing.
Off the field, Owens embodied the values of a true Hawk. Huntingdon Athletics described him as “a towering presence of kindness and a force to be reckoned with,” praising his “utmost standard of respect, integrity, and kindness.” Head coach Mike Turk, speaking to WSFA 12 News, shared how the team leaned on one another in the aftermath: “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.”
Perhaps the most poignant chapter of Owens’ story unfolded just days before the crash. During the season’s opening week, after a practice win, he was baptized on the field at Samford Stadium—a public declaration of his deep Christian faith. Huntingdon chaplain Rhett Butler, who officiated, called it unforgettable: “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.” A team social media post captured the joy: “Wins on Saturday’s are always great. Wins for God’s Kingdom are even better.”
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