As an undrafted free agent, Terique Owens faces a difficult path ahead, but his father Terrell Owens will be there to support him all the way.
Joining 95.7 The Game on Monday, the Pro Football Hall of Famer and former 49ers receiver discussed how Terique would have a “leg up” on the competition if the young wide receiver follows his father’s advice.
“First and foremost, his physical characteristics,” Terrell stated to “The Morning Roast” (via 49ers Webzone). “You consider his large arms and overall stature.” [Listed at 6-3], he weighs 200 pounds. And he’s going to get bigger, stronger, and better as I did. He will, of course, get faster. Many people will most likely fall asleep at his speed. Basically, we’ve been practicing the transition, entering and exiting routes, and the fundamentals of route running.
“Once more, the skill to write plays has to develop. After he has things under control, he will report to camp this week.
He has already begun taking some of the online courses taught by [receivers coach] Leonard Hankerson in order to get a better understanding of the plays, related concepts, terminology, and areas in which I can be of particular help, such as route and formation comprehension.
“He’s going to experience those same things that, one again, we all had to go through as rookies. As I’ve already explained to him, having me as his father has nothing to do with his capacity for play or anything else of that kind.
I informed him that since I possess the answers to the test, he will have an advantage over many of the competitors if he is astute enough to rely on me.
After the 2024 NFL Draft, which also included the offspring of former 49ers greats like Frank Gore and Jerry Rice, Terique was signed by the 49ers as a UDFA.In the seventh round, the Los Angeles Chargers selected Jerry’s son Brenden, and as a UDFA, Frank Gore Jr. signed with the Buffalo Bills.
Terique attended Contra Costa College in the Bay Area to start his collegiate career. He later transferred to Florida Atlantic University and Missouri State, where he played for three seasons in the NCAA.
The 6-foot-3, 193-pound receiver participated in the 49ers’ local pro day at Levi’s Stadium on April 10 and caught 28 catches for 528 yards and four touchdowns in 2023, averaging 18.9 yards per reception. Given that Terrell spent his first eight NFL seasons with the 49ers in the Bay from 1996 to 2003, it goes without saying that Terique’s last name is already well-known there.
Terique must have impressed San Francisco on that pro day, but he will have a difficult time making the 49ers’ roster for the 2024 NFL season with a wide receivers room that includes Danny Gray, Tay Martin, Debbie Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Jacob Jennings, Chris Conley, Roni Bell, Trent Taylor, Danny Gray, and ’24 draft picks Ricky Pearsall and Jacob cowing.
But Terique, along with his new 49ers instructors, has the benefit of learning from the best since he has his father on his side.
“As far as my son is concerned, hey, if he can come in, learn the offense — and that’s what I told him first — learn everything first, and then your playmaking ability, that’ll take care of itself,” Terrell added. It’s not always about who is the most athletic. It all comes down to who is the most trustworthy and knowledgeable.
“All of that will kind of kind of play itself out.”
