The 2016 Temple defense looks to be in as good a shape as any preseason- by in large because they return talent with playing experience. Even though the defense will only return 6 of 11 starters from a last year’s unit, all 11 projected starters in 2016 have seen game action in 2015.
DL
Starting with the defensive line, here are your projected starters:
Haason Reddick will be playing his first season under scholarship. (Credit: USA Today)
The defensive line unit is never the most predictable group to set in the preseason because of all of the rotation, but these eight guys have proved they’ve earned some playing time.
Starting with the leader of the group, reigning All-Conference selection at DE, Haason Reddick played the entirety of last season without a scholarship. The other end position will be sealed together nicely with the rotation of Martin-Oguike and Sharif Finch- who have both started a game last season at DE. The tackle spots are in a 3 way competition between a 3 letter-winning senior & the young, however experienced, sophomores Freddie Booth-Lloyd and Michael Dogbe. The two have a combined 23 starts in their first year of play. Freshman Josiah Brunson has turned some heads in camp and will likely see the field often this season. Any of the 3 could start at DT come game day.
LB
Moving to the linebacking corp, the looming question remains how can Temple ever replace the productivity of the nation’s top linebacker and current Pittsburgh Steeler Tyler Matakevich? Coach Rhule seemed completely confident it can be done.
“It’s the position in Phil’s defense that yields a lot of production.”
Rhule was referring to was Tyler’s position of “will” or weakside linebacker- a position usually not taking on many lead-blocks and getting a clear path to the ball carrier. Insert Stephan Marshall.
Projected Starters:
Stephaun Marshall is set for a standout season replacing Tyler Matakevich at Weakside LB. // Credit: usatoday.com
Arguably one of Temple’s best and most experienced position groups, this linebacking corp shouldn’t miss a beat this season. Returning second-leading tackler Jarred Alwan is key, along with leader and most likely captain Avery Williams, and finally the dynamic Stephaun Marshall. Marshall will come close to matching Matakevich’s remarkable tackle total last season of 138 if he plays to his potential. Russell and Folks are two young linebackers who have made noise in the off-season but have yet to see any game action. Expect that to change this year.
DB
Now to a secondary that lost 3 of 4 starters last season. Although the young DB’s weren’t starting every game, they still retained some playing experience through injuries of Tavon Young and Alex Wells.
Your Projected Starters:
CB- Derrick Thomas
S- Delvon Randall
S- Sean Chandler
CB- Artrel Foster
Notable Rotation Players: Nate L. Smith, Nate Hairston, Khiry Lucas, Kareem Ali
Sean Chandler will also return punts for the Owls for the second straight season. (Credit: Getty Images)
The only returning starter from this group is Chandler, and he won’t be playing the position where he started 14 games and recorded the 3rd highest tackles on the team last season. Instead, he will be at safety, where coaches Matt Rhule and Phil Snow both see as a better fit for Chandler at the next level. The rest of the starters will need to stay at a high level in order to keep their jobs. Coach Rhule praised true sophomore Delvon Randall, claiming he and Chandler are the most game ready for this season. Another sophomore, Derrick Thomas has also had a stellar camp- likely granting him a starting CB position. Senior Artrel Foster has gotten mixed reviews from Rhule on his off-season, some a bit more negative as of late. Don’t be surprised if other senior Nate Hairston sees the field ahead of Foster this season.
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