Is Alabama’s Chris Owens the next uncovered gem for Pittsburgh Steelers 

by Bo Marchionte

Pittsburgh – It’s only fitting that former Alabama offensive lineman finds himself as an undrafted rookie fighting for a spot on the Steelers 53-man roster.

“I’ve never been looked at as the guy early on,” said Owens. “I’ve always had to work for everything I got. Whatever football level it is or even going back to AAU basketball. It took me year just to learn how to play against good players.”

Football for Owens was originally meant to be a chance to meet some new friends.

“Me and my mom moved from New Orleans to Arlington Texas around Hurricane Katrina,” said Owens. “One of the guys, actually in the league Madre Harper (Carolina Panthers) he helped get my mom to allow me to play on the football team. It just helped me meet some new friends.

“That’s how I wanted to do it initially was to meet people. It was never really about any long-term aspirations. After a while I started realizing I was a little bit better of an athlete than the rest of the guys that I was going against.”

Starting 20 career games at Alabama, including 12 games at right tackle and one at center, in 2021, Owens is well equipped to play multiple positions along the offensive line. Alabama used him in a variety of ways to maximize his versatility. 

“I’ve never been at one true position,” said Owens. “I know I played tackle this past year, but I don’t think that’s obviously the immediate plan. That would be something I have in the tool belt. Maybe (I’m) more of a center and guard combo.

“I played a lot at center and those were all my starts minus the tackle starts I have (in 2021). Originally, I was a guard and I feel like guard is something I can also be very good at once I have to time to figure out some of the little things about the position.”

Pittsburgh has utilized the late rounds of the NFL Draft and signing guys afterwards from Alabama along the offensive and defensive line. In 2018, defensive lineman Joshua Frazier was selected in the seventh round of NFL Draft.

One year later, in 2019, the Steelers added Isaiah Buggs in the sixth round via the draft.

In that same year, Pittsburgh also signed J.C. Hassenauer off the Birmingham Iron of the Alliance of American Football. Hassenauer went undrafted exactly like Owens.

Buggs and Hassenauer have earned significant roles for Pittsburgh which might bold well in the eventual outcome of Owens carving out his niche in the Black-and-Gold.

“I was comfortable trusting Coach Tomlin,” said Owens after his first practice with the Steelers. “It was just an easy decision for me,” in regard to signing for the Steelers at the conclusion of the draft.

Coming from one of the most dominant Power 5 programs in college football, Owens sees the similarities in the Steelers organization. Those qualities are why he felt Pittsburgh was a great place to get his foot in the door.

“As soon as I got the call, I knew what the Steelers organization is,” said Owens. “It’s about accountability, discipline and everybody doing their job.”

Owens had no clue prior to the NFL Draft that Pittsburgh was interested in bringing him in. He knew the team was at his Pro Day, but nothing was ever communicated verbally between Owens and the Steelers.

It’s been one wild ride,” said Owens.

“Me my mom, my dad, my brother we would always talk about how my path has already been written I have to trust God and follow through with it. There were ups and downs. I’m sure with any college athlete.”

Hassenauer has been a big help for Owens. Playing together at Alabama and being part of the Steelers franchise, the pair have plenty in common. It’s only natural that Owens has took advantage of reaching out to Hassenauer.

“Talk with J.C. (Hassenauer),” said Owens. I learned a lot from J.C. at school so I feel it will be the same thing here. I never want to feel like I have too much pride to ask for help. I pride myself on being pretty humble.”

Pittsburgh brought in a pair of interior blockers in Mason Cole (Vikings) and James Daniels (Bears) at the onset of free agency earlier this year in hope of reinforcing their quality of starters along the offensive line.

Owens like so many rookies this year will aim to establish themselves in camp and begin the trek of building a career in the National Football League.

“I’ve been playing football for so long,” said Owens. “I can’t remember the last time I didn’t have any football in my life.”

Hopefully that feeling of playing the game he loves continues for this humble giant.