Fresno (Calif.) Clovis West four-star receiver Darian Owens (6-1, 200) named his top seven schools this past weekend.
Notre Dame as well as hometown Fresno State joined five from the Pac-12 with Oregon, Oregon State, UCLA, USC and Washington.
“I like their tradition and what they’re about (at Notre Dame)," said Owens. "I had been talking to Coach (Matt) LeFleur (who left for the Falcons) but I haven’t been talking to them a lot recently."
His relationship with Notre Dame was strong, specifically with LeFleur.
"Overall, how we bonded, it would be cool to go to Notre Dame for an official visit and I’m hoping to visit Notre Dame for an official visit in the fall," said Owens.
(For a breakdown of the other six teams, click here)
Owens has yet to be invited to a postseason All-American game, but if he does, there is a chance he’ll announce his decision there.
“If I do get an invite to one of the games, there is a possibility I’ll announce there,” said Owens. “But that would be the earliest, it would be no time before then. I want to take all five official visits.”
And there is a good chance that all of his official visits take him to schools outside California.
“I’ll probably take the officials to the schools out of the stae,” said Owens.
Owens said that everyone likes him as a receiver, save Washington and USC.
“USC and Washington like me as a DB, but everyone else is as a receiver,” said Owens. “My heart is there and I’m not as comfortable on the defensive side as I am on offense. A couple people want me there but I’d played receiver most of my career.”
When his offers first started coming in, Owens was looked at more as a slot guy, but as he’s gotten bigger, a true receiver position is more likely his destination.
“Schools saw me more as a slot guy, but then I put on weight and they saw film of me and decided to recruit me as a pure receiver,” said Owens.
Owens said he’s still wide open.
“Do I have a favorite school? No, I wasn’t interested in naming a favorite right now and I’m just going with the flow. They’re all pretty even right now,” said Owens.
Owens will camp at The Opening Oakland next month and is planning a couple more 7v7 tournaments with his The Shop 7v7 team.
Academically, Owens has a 3.3 and will take the SAT in May.
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