Former Blue Waves football star Mike Owen didn’t leave the Jets rookie mini-camp with a contract on Sunday, but he did leave with hope that he’ll be getting a phone call from Jets management before the team’s regular training camp starts this summer.
“I’m on a short list,” Owen said Tuesday afternoon. “I’m one of five guys. I’ve just got to stay in shape and wait for that call,” he said. “We’ll see what happens.”
After last week’s NFL draft, the Jets called Owen and invited him to go to the team’s rookie camp, along with 20 or so other players invited to try out. They signed two of those players, both linebackers, Cory Reamer out of Alabama and Brashton Satele out of Hawaii.
The camp was a great experience, Owen said. “I met a lot of great people and made some stylish catches,” he said. “It was all memorable.”
Owen said he has no regrets. “I went out there and gave 110 percent,” he said.
“I really appreciate the love and support of the Riverhead community,” Owen said. “I’d like to thank everyone for the love they’re showing.”
Owen will graduate this month from Syracuse University, where he majored in child and family studies. He graduated from Riverhead High School in 2005, and attended Syracuse on a full athletic scholarship. He played football, track and basketball for Riverhead. He was All-County in 2003 and 2004, and a member of the Suffolk County championship team that won the Rutgers trophy. He played tight end for Syracuse.
In an interview last week, Riverhead football coach Leif Shay remembered Owen as a key player for the Blue Waves who had “a very distinguished high school career” and “one of the most determined kids I’ve ever coached.”
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