Seeking a starting role, a highly-touted Texas quarterback transfers to Arkansas State. The Red Wolves gain a talented passer ready to lead their offense.
For the last two seasons, Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning has had a stranglehold on the position.
As a result, the backups on the depth chart did not see the field in any meaningful game action. That prompted QB Trey Owens to enter the transfer portal and has announced he is committing to Butch Jones and Arkansas State.
The Red Wolves, coming off a 7-6 season, must replace starting QB Jaylen Raynor, the leading passer in the Sun Belt Conference in 2025. He transferred to Iowa State to replace Rocco Becht, who transferred to Penn State.
Raynor passed for over 3,300 yards, 19 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He completed 66.5 percent of his passes.
At 6-5, 220 pounds, Owens comes to Arkansas State after two seasons with the Longhorns. He saw action in two games during the 2024 season, and completed two passes for 19 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions. Owens is a former 4-star quarterback from Cy-Fair High School in Cypress, Texas. According to ESPN, Owens was ranked as the No. 17 quarterback in the Class of 2024.
During his senior season, Owens threw for 3,303 yards 43 touchdowns and only five interceptions. He completed 70.9 percent of his passes. As a junior, Owens passed for 3,057 yards and 34 touchdowns. He was a two-time district 17-6A offensive MVP.
If all goes well, Owens could be throwing to the Red Wolves top returning receivers going into the 2026 season. Chauncy Cobb and Hunter Summers combined for 117 catches for 1,302 yards and five touchdowns.
Arkansas State was rated as the No. 2 passing offense in the Sun Belt at 259 yards per game. Owens will have an opportunity to continue that production, or elevate it.
The portal takes more and more opportunities away from incoming high school players. College football has changed. Teams and coaches need to win now, so they scour the portal looking for players who can help them do just that.
Owens has the talent and knowledge of the position to succeed. He just needed an opportunity to prove it on the field. Arkansas State will give him that opportunity.