Kejon Owens, FIU Pro Day results and NSU’s march to NCAA semifinals
There have been a pair of significant local college events so far this week – FIU’s Pro Day for players seeking to get to the NFL; and the NSU Sharks men’s basketball team winning its national quarterfinal game.
Here are your five takeaways:
1: TURF ISSUES: Running back Kejon Owens, who broke FIU single-season record last year, was one of 13 Panthers players who worked out for NFL scouts on Monday.
Owens had a huge senior year in 2025, rushing for 1,334 yards, a 6.3 average and 11 touchdowns. He also participated in the Senior Bowl, rushing seven times for 20 yards and one touchdown.
However, on Monday, Owens ran a 4.6 in the 40-yard-dash, telling the Herald that he was disappointed with that clocking.
Prior to Monday, Owens said he was consistently running in the low 4.5s, but he believes he was the victim of FIU’s new football-stadium turf that was installed roughly one month ago.
“The turf was kind of soft,” Owens said. “I was trying to get used to it.”
To be fair, the old FIU turf was believed to be too hard, which can lead to injuries. The new turf is more like a carpet and figures to be better for FIU in the long run, but it didn’t do Owens any favors Monday.
Owens, a 5-10, 205-pounder who is considered FIU’s top draft prospect, also bench-pressed 225 pounds 15 times.
“I don’t test well,” said Owens, 24. “I’m always hard on myself. But the reality is that the 40 and the bench press are not football. I just hope I get drafted or signed so I can show who I really am at the next level.”
Owens said he will probably watch the draft next month even if proves to be frustrating.
Said Owens: “I’m a student of the game.”
2: MORE FROM PRO DAY: Defensive end Keegan Davis, a 6-4, 250-pounder, ran a 5.0, and he did 28 reps on the bench press. With his relentless motor, Davis could find an NFL team.
Linebacker Johnny Chaney Jr., who led FIU with 107 tackles, ran a 4.81. Listed at 6-3 and 230 pounds, he did 18 reps on the bench press.
Center Julius Pierce, listed at 6-5 and 290 pounds, ran a 4.98. He also matched Davis with 28 reps.
Tight end Dallas Payne, who caught 27 passes for a 10.9 average and four TDs, ran a 4.9 and did 15 reps.
3: SHARKS ADVANCE: Ross Reeves scored a game-high 31 points, leading Nova Southeastern University to a 76-66 win over Black Hills State (South Dakota) on Wednesday night in Pittsburgh.
NSU, the country’s top-ranked men’s basketball team in NCAA Division II, advanced to Friday’s national semifinals, also in Pittsburgh. The Sharks (31-1) will play fifth-seeded Lander (29-5). Lander upset fourth-seeded Daemen, 77-74, late Wednesday night.
Reeves, who played all 40 minutes on Wednesday, shot 11 for 17 on field goals, 1 for 1 on a three-pointers; and 8 of 9 on free throws. It was his sixth game this season with at least 30 points.
“During shootaround, I noticed I really liked the rim here,” Reeves said of Cooper Fieldhouse. “I like the gym, and my shoot was feeling good.”
In addition, Sharks point guard Dallas Graziani also played all 40 minutes, chipping in with 12 points, three assists and three steals. Teammate Jaxon Nap had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
“Jaxon had one of his best games of the year,” NSU coach Jim Crutchfield said. “He played with confidence.”
4: OVERALL SHOOTING WAS OFF: The Sharks, who lead the nation with an average of 100.2 points per game, shot just 36.9% from the floor; 31.3% on 3-pointers (5-for-16); and 67.7% on free throws (23-for-34).
However, the Sharks survived by gaining extra possessions, including plus-seven on turnovers and plus-five on offensive rebounds.
Ryan Davis is a perfect example of NSU’s night. He went 0 for 8 on field goals, but he had a game-high 13 rebounds, including seven on the offensive glass.
“I came in ready to hustle, ready to rebound and ready to play defense,” Davis said. “When you have guys like Ross who shoots 11 for 17, I just wanted to be there for those six misses. I crashed the glass really hard.”
5: UP NEXT: The Sharks have won 25 straight games, the third time in the Crutchfield Era that they have a streak that long. NSU has also won 10 straight NCAA Tournament games — one short of the program record.
This is also NSU’s fourth straight appearance at the Final Four, the first time any program has done that since Kentucky Wesleyan (1998 to 2022).
Meanwhile, Lander has won 14 straight games.
Crutchfield, who said he “wore out” his voice during Wednesday’s game, is understandably confident in his team.
Said Crutchfield: “We fight to the end.”
