Aiden McCown aims to follow dad, brother to DI football
RUSK, Texas (BVM) – Aiden McCown had a fantastic season as quarterback for the Rusk High School Eagles this past year. Despite it being his first varsity campaign under center, McCown showed skills and intangibles that scouts fall in love with. This shouldn’t be a surprise as Aiden has some quality mentors who have helped him craft his game – his father, 17-year NFL veteran quarterback Josh, and his brother, Owen, who played quarterback last season for the University of Colorado.
While these relationships come with their own amount of pressure, Aiden embraced the challenge and used the wisdom gained from his dad and brother to help him in his own journey.
“[Owen] said, ‘Go be a gunslinger, it doesn’t matter if it’s good or bad just play your game,’” Aiden said. “Obviously, the goal is to win doesn’t matter how it gets done, just win so that was the biggest thing, be comfortable and have fun.”
Though only his first high school season at quarterback, Aiden proved he was more than a good fit for the role as he racked up 2,312 passing yards, 27 touchdown passes and just five interceptions while also rushing for 780 yards on 94 carries with 11 rushing touchdowns.
“It was amazing,” Aiden said. “We’ve got a great coaching staff and obviously my dad was coaching me so that was a fun experience. Playing with some of the guys that I’ve been around is the best time.”
Though he was still a bit raw at the position for a high school senior, Aiden benefitted from having an experienced QB coach, his dad. With his dad’s help and leadership, Aiden went from being a utility player all over the field as a junior to a bonafide stud under center.
“Any time I need a question answered it’s at home,” Aiden said. “He knows all my answers so that’s the biggest thing that I took advantage of this season. It allowed me to play faster and he’s a big help.”
For Aiden, it was a strong first impression, but he isn’t satisfied. Though his numbers were good, Aiden’s didn’t reach the same highs as Owens’s a season ago when he passed for 3,362 yards, 36 touchdowns and just four interceptions while rushing for 371 yards and 11 more scores, something he had hoped to accomplish during the year.
“Yeah [he’s let me know] a little bit,” Aiden said with a laugh. “I told him that because the year before he didn’t have any defensive stats that I have that on him. That’s a little argument and it’s fun. We get on each other a lot but it’s all love at the end of the day.”
However, Aiden played quarterback a little differently than his brother as shown in his ground game. He may have been about 1,000 yards off of Owen in terms of passing, but he rushed 409 more yards than his brother in two fewer games and he averaged 309.2 total yards per game, coming very close to Owen’s 314.4 average as a senior.
“I just like being myself,” Aiden said. “Whatever suits me I just kind of get comfortable and just play.”
Given his strong play at quarterback, it comes as no surprise that Aiden has attracted the attention of scouts. To date, Aiden has received four Division I football offers from Charlotte, Incarnate Word, Lamar and UTSA.
“The very first one going into the offseason from UTSA going into my junior year and I’ve got a couple this offseason and during the season senior year,” Aiden said. “I’m an open book and I’m not closed off to anything.”
After a great talk with @CoachChadwick8, I’m honored to receive an offer from UNC Charlotte! @CoachTSitton @recruitrusk @JoshMcCown12 @Perroni247 pic.twitter.com/1zumqHVvZ0
— Aiden McCown (@AidenMcCown14) November 11, 2022
While Aiden won’t have any chance to further prove his quarterback play on the field, he does have time for more programs to watch his film to earn more offers. Once he feels all of his options have come in, he will make his decision.
“I’m still sharing my film and I’m being patient with my recruiting,” Aiden said. “It would mean the world [to play DI]. I want to just keep showcasing my abilities and who I am as a player, not just the last name but who I am as a person.”
Though Owen recently announced his decision to transfer from Colorado, Aiden doesn’t see that impacting his own choice.
“Before he entered the transfer portal I was just being myself and just being patient so it doesn’t really add anything to it,” Aiden said.
Thank you Buff Nation! pic.twitter.com/NRdRoWmRnh
— Owen McCown (@OwenMcCown7) December 2, 2022
With a year of solid play on film and help from his family, Aiden has proved he can certainly play football at the Division I level. Now, he will look to find a program that fits him best and try to create his own legacy using the lessons learned from his dad and older brother.
“On the field you’re getting a leader, a hard worker, a playmaker,” Aiden said. “Off the field it’s a leader in the classroom, somebody who would help kids in the class or with a ride somewhere, things like that. I’m going to be all hands on deck. If somebody needs help, regardless of who you are, I will be there to help.”
