Tyler Owens Bio
Tyler Owens is an American professional football safety and special teamer for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League. Born on May 12, 2001, in Plano, Texas, he played college football at the University of Texas and Texas Tech before signing as an undrafted free agent in 2024. He wears number 18 and is listed as an active player on the Commanders roster.
Early Life and Background
Owens was born on May 12, 2001, in Plano, Texas. He attended Plano East Senior High School where he played football and ran track. 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 coming out of high school. He committed to play college football for the Texas Longhorns, choosing Austin over other major programs that were actively recruiting him at the position.
Path to American Football
Owens began his college career at the University of Texas where he appeared in 13 games as a true freshman in 2019. He added nine more appearances in 2020 and five more in 2021, steadily accumulating game experience at one of the premier programs in the country. After the 2021 season, he entered the NCAA transfer portal and ultimately transferred to the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
In his first year at Texas Tech in 2022, Owens appeared in 12 games, started two, and recorded 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. He was invited to the East–West Shrine Bowl as one of the top senior prospects in college football. At the NFL Combine, he recorded the best vertical jump among safeties and achieved a 12 feet 2 inches broad jump, finishing one inch short of the world record. He went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft and signed with the Washington Commanders as an undrafted free agent.
Tyler Owens Career
College Career (2019–2023)
As a true freshman at Texas in 2019, Owens appeared in 13 games and started one, posting eight tackles in his first season of college football. He then totaled two tackles in nine games in 2020, and two tackles in five games in 2021, gaining valuable experience behind more established players on the Longhorns defense. After the 2021 season, he entered the NCAA transfer portal and ultimately transferred to Texas Tech University.
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 at the NFL Combine, he recorded the best vertical jump among safeties and had a 12 feet 2 inches broad jump, one inch short of the world record.
Washington Commanders Era (2024–Present)
Owens signed with the Washington Commanders as an undrafted free agent in 2024, giving him an opportunity to compete for a roster spot on a full-time basis. He was placed on injured reserve on January 4, 2025, which brought his rookie season to a close earlier than anticipated. Despite the abbreviated campaign, he recorded 24 tackles and one forced fumble in his first professional season.
His 2025 season outlook will depend on his recovery from injury and his ability to contribute across safety and special teams roles during training camp. The Commanders will assess whether his combination of athletic explosiveness and football experience translates into consistent production at the professional level in the coming year.
Athletic Profile and Strengths
Owens stands 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 213 pounds, giving him strong coverage length for the safety position. His best attribute is explosive athleticism, highlighted by his combine performance where he recorded the top vertical jump among all safeties. His 12 feet 2 inches broad jump approached the world record, demonstrating the rare combination of speed and leaping ability that coaches look for in defensive backfield play.
Notable Events and Milestones
Owens received media attention for an interview at the 2024 NFL Combine where he said that he does not believe in outer space or other planets and found the Flat Earth theory presented valid points. He attributed his beliefs to the Bible, saying God created the heavens and Earth and did not create Jupiter and Saturn. His 2025 season will be pivotal for his NFL trajectory as he works to recover from his injured reserve designation and reestablish himself on the Commanders depth chart.
Tyler Owens Career Statistics
Over his college and professional career, Owens has contributed defensively and on special teams across multiple levels of competition. His college career totals reflect steady progression, with a career-high 37 tackles in his final season at Texas Tech. At the professional level, his rookie season with the Washington Commanders produced 24 tackles and one forced fumble across his appearances in 2024.
College Career Highlights
Owens played college football for the Texas Longhorns from 2019 to 2021 and the Texas Tech Red Raiders from 2022 to 2023. At Texas, he appeared in 27 games and posted a combined total of 12 tackles. After transferring to Texas Tech, he increased his production significantly, recording 19 tackles, two forced fumbles and an interception in 2022 before reaching a career-high 37 tackles with two pass breakups in 2023.
Professional Career Statistics
As of 2025, Tyler Owens has appeared in games for the Washington Commanders, recording 24 tackles and one forced fumble in his NFL rookie season. He is listed as an active safety and special teamer, wearing number 18 for the Commanders. His professional career statistics reflect his versatility and willingness to contribute on multiple units.
Tyler Owens Personal Life
Family Background
Owens grew up in Plano, Texas, and attended Plano East Senior High School. Details about his family background, parents, and siblings have not been widely published in available public sources. His personal history is grounded in the Dallas area, where he developed into a highly recruited football prospect before attending the University of Texas.
Personal Life
During the 2024 NFL Combine, Owens received significant media attention following an interview in which he stated that he does not believe in outer space or other planets. He said he found the Flat Earth theory presented valid points and attributed his beliefs to the Bible. His social media presence includes an Instagram account under the handle tko214.
2025 Season Outlook
Following his placement on injured reserve on January 4, 2025, Tyler Owens will look to return healthy and compete for a role with the Washington Commanders during the 2025 season. His trajectory as an undrafted rookie safety will depend on his ability to recover from injury and showcase his athletic skills during the team’s offseason program and training camp. The Commanders coaching staff will evaluate whether his explosive combine performance translates into the coverage skills and football IQ needed to earn regular season snaps.
If he can return to form, Owens has the physical profile to contribute on special teams while competing for rotational snaps at safety. His 2025 season represents a critical juncture in establishing his long-term NFL career, and his performance during the offseason and preseason will largely determine his standing on the Washington Commanders roster heading into regular season play.