Heartbreaking Loss: Honoring Huntingdon College’s James E. Owens Jr., a Beacon of Talent and Kindness
Montgomery, AL – November 26, 2025 – The college football community continues to grieve the untimely death of James E. Owens Jr., the 20-year-old defensive lineman whose infectious spirit and on-field dominance lit up Huntingdon College’s Hawks program.
Owens tragically lost his life in a head-on car crash on November 10 in Chilton County, Alabama, leaving behind a legacy of leadership, humility, and unyielding passion for the game.
Debunking the Rumors: Viral social media posts falsely linking Owens to the Minnesota Vikings, head coach Kevin O’Connell, or NFL draft projections are entirely baseless and harmful fabrications. Owens was a dedicated NCAA Division III player at Huntingdon, with no professional affiliations.
These hoaxes exploit tragedy for clicks; legitimate outlets confirm his story is one of small-school excellence and community heart. The Vikings have issued no statements on this, focusing instead on their season amid unrelated roster moves.
The crash occurred around 5:35 a.m. on U.S. Highway 82, when the 2019 Chevrolet Camaro Owens was driving crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with a Toyota Tundra operated by 42-year-old Justin E. Carlee of Maplesville.
Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene, per the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), which is conducting a routine investigation with no charges anticipated. Owens, a Tuscaloosa native, was reportedly heading to an early-morning workout—a testament to his legendary work ethic that teammates say started before dawn.
At 6’3″ and 250 pounds, Owens was a force on Huntingdon’s defensive line, anchoring the Hawks with 45 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks in his 2024 sophomore year.
He earned All-USA South Conference honors and was eyed for potential transfers to higher divisions, his explosive pursuit and gap discipline drawing rave reviews from scouts.
Off the field, he was “a towering presence of kindness,” as described by the college in a heartfelt tribute, volunteering at youth camps and mentoring underclassmen with quiet wisdom.
Born March 15, 2005, in Montgomery, Owens grew up idolizing Alabama legends like Derrick Thomas, channeling that inspiration into a high school career at Carver High where he notched 45 tackles as a senior en route to a state title.
Choosing Huntingdon for its family atmosphere over bigger offers, he quickly became the D-line’s heartbeat. “James wasn’t chasing headlines; he was building brothers,” shared his mother, Erica Owens, at a community vigil.
His father, James Sr., a former semi-pro standout, added: “He disrupted lines like a storm, but healed hearts like sunshine.”
Huntingdon head coach Mike Turk, who brought Owens aboard as a prized recruit, paused all team activities in the wake: “James embodied our motto—fierce in competition, gentle in character.
His absence is a void, but his lessons fill it.” Teammates gathered at Samford Stadium for a candlelit memorial, recounting his pre-game hype sessions with gospel rap and his habit of slipping encouraging notes into lockers.
Senior captain Malik Johnson tearfully recalled: “He’d say, ‘Protect the house, protect each other’—that’s how we’ll honor him.”
The USA South Conference and NCAA Division III networks have poured in support, with rival programs like Birmingham-Southern sending floral tributes. Huntingdon president Dondi Haney established the James E. Owens Jr. Memorial Scholarship for defensive prospects from Alabama’s underserved areas, already surpassing $25,000 in donations.
A plaque will grace the stadium: “Defender of Dreams – In Memory of #94.”
Tributes flood social media under #ForeverAHawk, with over 150,000 engagements. Highlights of his pick-six against Sewanee and community clips—coaching kids at local parks—go viral, amassing millions of views. “At 20, he had MVP heart without the hype,” posted an anonymous scout.
Carver coach Marcus Adams echoed: “He chose family over fame—true greatness.”
Funeral services are scheduled for December 2 at Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church in Montgomery, open to the public for those touched by his light. As the Hawks eye spring practices, they’ll wear #94 decals, turning grief into grit.
Owens’ story reminds us: Football forges warriors, but character crowns kings. Not an NFL prospect in the pros, but a star in every sense—fierce, faithful, forever etched in Montgomery’s soul. Rest in power, James. Your impact endures.
Condolences to the Owens and Carlee families, Huntingdon College, and all affected. For accurate updates, consult ALEA or official Hawks athletics channels.
Funeral services are scheduled for December 2 at Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church in Montgomery, open to the public for those touched by his light. As the Hawks eye spring practices, they’ll wear #94 decals, turning grief into grit.
Owens’ story reminds us: Football forges warriors, but character crowns kings. Not an NFL prospect in the pros, but a star in every sense—fierce, faithful, forever etched in Montgomery’s soul. Rest in power, James. Your impact endures.
Condolences to the Owens and Carlee families, Huntingdon College, and all affected. For accurate updates, consult ALEA or official Hawks athletics channels.
