2025 Season ending interview with Daniel Owens from Bettendorf, Iowa
Name
Daniel Owens
School/town
Bettendorf High School/Bettendorf, IA
Positions played
DL, LB, OL
Class
2026
Height and Weight
6’1 230
Jersey Number:
54
Awards won or earned:
2nd team all-district
HUDL LINK:
https://www.hudl.com/v/2T6bs0
Other sports played:
Track & Field
Please post a small recap of last season with something like a big game you had, something about a certain game, something from a bus ride to or from the game, or something that sticks out from a practice.
I remember in our second to last game against Cedar Rapids Kennedy, a game to keep us in playoff contention, I had a really good game. I made lots of key stops, came up with 1.5 sacks, and had a pass deflection that led to an interception to help our team stay in playoff contention with a win at home, 17-9.
What were your feelings as you walked off of the field for the last time as a member of the Bettendorf High School football team?
After I walked off the field for Bettendorf one last time, I was very happy I made the move over to the school when I did. And though the season did not end how we wanted it to, I wouldn’t want to redo my senior season again without the guys around me.
What mark do you believe your class left on the football program?
Our class had a lot of leadership that went along with it; when guys were down, we were able to get their heads right and go out there to finish the game, go make key stops, or keep drives going, and it led us to the victories we had.
What do you feel your biggest moment as a football player was?
My biggest moment as a football player was against Cedar Rapids Kennedy. They snapped the ball, and I was running a stunt when the quarterback threw the ball. I put my hands up to try and deflect it, and it worked, leading to an interception by one of our linebackers. That interception set our offense up in a good position to put the ball in the end zone to take a 17-9 lead.
Which game win or loss will you remember the most? Explain
The game I will always remember was from this year when we went up to Cedar Rapids Prairie and beat them in their home opener. Defense came out electric and on fire, and we all as a unit played the best ball we did all season for us to come out victorious 14-11. I had a deflection for an interception that game as well that helped set our offense up around midfield.
What are you going to miss the most from playing high school football?
One thing I will miss the most about high school football is the memories. While at Bettendorf I made lots of memories with my teammates, including tailgating for our baseball team at substate, when we’d go at it intensely at practices, or even the team dinners when we all agreed to put our phones up and just enjoy being around each other as a team.
What made you a good teammate?
I think what made me a good teammate was my leadership and being able to help others when they felt they weren’t doing the best. I was voted captain by my teammates, and I feel my leadership and hard work at the lifts we had, where I’d push myself to be the absolute best I could while helping others be the best they could be, helped me earn that role my senior year.
Who was the best player that you faced in a game, along with the team he was on?
The best player we faced in a game was Julian Manson of Iowa City West. On offense, he had a long touchdown that was a huge blow to us to extend their lead. On defense, he stuffed our run so we couldn’t establish a good run game. Overall, he hindered our performance and was a huge reason Iowa City West was able to defeat us.
Who was the toughest teammate to face in practice, along with the thing that made him so tough?
The toughest teammate I had to face in practice was our center named Christian Ragan. What made it so tough to go against him was he was super good at doing his job and part, and he wanted to help get everyone around him better while pushing them super hard to reach that peak performance.
As a lineman, what was the toughest weather to play in?
The toughest weather to play in as a lineman is the rain. It’s hard to get your cleats to grip; gloves are pointless, as you can’t lock in to throw an offensive lineman past you or throw him off of you. Rain is definitely the hardest weather to play in.
What type of offensive lineman was the hardest to go up against during a game?
The hardest type of offensive lineman to go up against during a game is definitely a bigger and heavier type of lineman. You can’t bull rush them on pass plays if you are smaller than them, and they love to lean into you on run plays, and when you are not able to fight them off, it can severely take you out of a play.
Why should a college coach recruit you?
A college should recruit me because I am willing to learn any position on the field and take the steps to be great at that position. I love to play football, so wherever I can fit in and play to help out the team, I’m more than willing to fill in those shoes, learn it, master it, and benefit whatever team I play for in college.
How is the early recruiting season going?
The early recruiting season is going well for me. I have a few schools that are looking at me, and so far it’s been very smooth, with no bumps in the way at all.
Would you share with the readers some of the schools that you are hearing from?
I’ve heard from a few schools, like Wartburg College in Waverly, IA; Monmouth College in Monmouth, IL; and Elmhurst University in Elmhurst, IL.
Outside of sports, what are you doing for fun?
For fun, I’ve been lifting weights to get my body into good shape, hanging out with friends, and exploring around before I head off to college.
What is your favorite type of music?
Personally, I’m a big fan of almost any type of music. But if I had to pick a specific genre of music, I’d say R&B.
What is your favorite class or subject?
My favorite subject/class is math. I’ve always been able to take in what I’ve learned and been really good at it, which makes me enjoy it a lot.
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