Jackson Owen announces return to Mississippi State
Starkville native Jackson Owen has had a change of heart and will be staying home at Mississippi State.
Just a couple of weeks after announcing his intentions to hit the transfer portal, the Diamond Dawg catcher said on X that he will not be leaving. “Excited to stay home,” the X post read.
It’s welcome news for Brian O’Connor who entered this week with no catchers currently on the roster. O’Connor did get Chone James from Virginia who signed with the Cavaliers as a catcher, but James played his freshman season in the outfield and infield. Ross Highfill and Steven Spalitta entered the portal and Joe Powell graduated leaving State with zero returning catchers until Owen pulled his name from the portal.
After redshirting his first year on campus, Owen was a prime candidate to compete for the catcher position this year and had a huge fall for the Bulldogs. However, a logjam at the position and a partially torn UCL injury would keep him out of action. He played in six games with just one start.
A lifelong Bulldog, Owen landed his dream offer with State two seasons ago after standout seasons with Northeast Community College. In his two seasons in Booneville, Owen batted .298 with 21 home runs and 91 RBI and he was a stalwart behind the plate.
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As a freshman, Owen had 11 home runs, 11 doubles and 54 RBI but had 40 strikeouts. As a sophomore, Owen’s average improved dramatically at .360 with a .703 SLG and had 10 home runs, six doubles and 37 RBI while striking out just 21 times in 111 at bats.
Owen starred at Starkville High School prior to his JUCO career and was a two-time Best of the Rest selection by the Starkville Daily News. He played in 86 games for the Yellow Jackets during his career with a .290 batting average.
O’Connor has 12 State players that have entered the portal this offseason but the coach has already reeled in eight newcomers from the portal with four of those coming from his previous stop at Virginia.
