Written By
Written By
Written By
Written By
The quarterback position sees a competition between two transfers. Jaxon Smolik (Penn State) and Ajani Sheppard (Washington State). Both are athletic, dual threat players. Smolik Seemed to be the top guy after the spring but the battle will continue into fall camp.
The running back room returns some experience in Keveun Mason, a more physical runner, and Hunter Smith, who averaged 6.5 yards per carry last season. The addition of Sam Brown V (Rutgers) provides great size and is also a solid option as a pass catcher.
The wide receiver room returns experience in JoJo Bermudez (All-AAC), Colin Chase, and tight ends Peter Clarke (All-AAC) and Ryder Kusch. The additions of Kenedy Uzoma (North Carolina), Reis Stocksdale (Bowling Green), Jayce Freeman (Stony Brook), Demonte Green (D2 Midwestern State), and tight end Joey Schlaffer (Penn State) provide valuable weapons for this unit.
The offensive line room returns four starters in Grayson Mains, Jackson Pruitt, Eric King, and Giakoby Hills. Luke Watson and Mausa Palu also return with experience. The additions of Zach Aamland (Rutgers), Ransom McDermott (Louisville), and John Stone (Rutgers) provide Power 4 experience.
The defensive line room must improve. Temple gave up 197.3 rushing yards per game and only had 16 sacks last season. Cameron Jones, Joseph Auzenne, and Russell Sykes have the most returning experience. The additions of Kaleb Artis (Penn State), JaMair Diaz (Sam Houston), Jaylon Joseph (Lafayette), Lamar Farifax Jr. (Memphis), Quante Gillians (Syracuse), Deshon Dodson (UAlbany), Kevin Hornbeak (D2 Tiffin), and Davier Bishop (JUCO) should only help improve this unit.
The linebacker room returns experience in Curly Ordonez (All-AAC), Eric Stuart, and Tyree Alualu. The additions of Cookie Desiderio (UMass) and Jayvant Brown (Kentucky) provide solid experience. This unit must also improve against the run and apply pressure to the quarterback when needed.
The secondary returns experience in Avery Powell, Zyil Powell, Denzel Chavis, and Adrian Laing. The additions of Saboor Karriem (Illinois), Kolin Dinkins (Penn State), Jaeden Gould (UCF), Orel Gray (JUCO), Nakeel Lawrence (JUCO), Asa Locks (JUCO), and Josiah Jackson (JUCO) will all see reps. Karriem could be a major factor for this defense with his toughness.
Both kicker Carl Hardin and punter Dante Atton return with valuable experience. JoJo Bermudez is an all-conference wide receiver but also an elite punt returner.
Year 1 under KC Keeler saw the Owls exceed expectations and go 5-7. It could have been so much more though as they ended the year with four straight losses. This team is well coached, disciplined, and should return to a bowl for the first time since 2019.
