Temple University Athletics
Andre Neblett: Feature Story
10.2.08 | Football
Oct. 2, 2008
Complete Neblett Feature Story in PDF Format 
by Cathy Bongiovi
When Andre Neblett stepped onto the Temple campus, he already knew what to expect. Unlike most of his teammates, he had already been through change--major change.
During his time in high school, his team--the Rahway (N.J.) Indians--underwent a coaching change. Temple alumnus Gary Mobley (1987-90) took the reins and revamped the football program from top to bottom.
Sound familiar?
At Temple, Neblett was a member of head coach Al Golden's first recruiting class. A first-team All-State and four-time all-conference selection, Neblett saw action at linebacker and fullback for Rahway.
"Ever since I was little I've played defense," he shared. "I've always been an aggressive player. So defense was my thing. But scoring touchdowns was fun."
A three-sport athlete, Neblett also wrestled and participated in track, throwing the javelin, shot put, and discus.
Choosing to attend Temple was an easy decision for Neblett.
"My high school started off just like Temple did--not good, coming in with new coaches being able to turn the program around," Neblett said. "I talked to my high school coach, and we walked about it for a while, and we knew exactly what it would take to turn the program around. He said I could be a big part of that, and that's what I wanted to do."
Now the 6-2, 285-lb. junior is a three-year starter at nose tackle, earning the nod as a true freshman. He has been a critical part of Temple's turnaround under Golden, helping the defense lead the MAC during Temple's inaugural season last fall.
Named to the 2007 second-team All-Mid-American Conference, he started all 12 games last fall, one of just seven Owls to start every game. Neblett had a career-high two sacks at Connecticut en route to being named the coaches' defensive player of the game. He earned the weekly honor three times during 2007, and he shared the team's most improved defensive player award at the conclusion of 2007 spring drills. As a true freshman in 2006, Neblett played in all 12 games.
A preseason All-MAC honoree by numerous publications, Neblett is on the watch lists for the prestigious Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the nation's best defensive player and the Rotary Lombardi Award as the nation's best lineman. In the MAC opener at Buffalo, Neblett had five tackles, a TFL, a sack, and a forced fumble. He's picked up where he left off and has continued to grow and learn.
"I've learned to approach the game on a more serious note," Neblett said. "Coming from high school to playing college ball is definitely different in terms of quickness, technique, game planning, knowing more about the guys you'll be going up against. I think that's how I learned to approach the game differently and take the game seriously."
But Neblett has matured off the field as well.
"In high school, I wasn't always good in school," he shared. "Just my high school coaches being there for me to back me up on my school work. That's what I had to overcome. Being able to get to college and understand how important school is, now I take my education more seriously."
Neblett's teammates admire his work ethic.
"He's a really competitive player. He goes hard every play," said senior center Alex Derenthal who plays opposite Neblett during practice. "He has really good lateral movement which makes it hard to reach off the line which is one of my main blocks against him. He definitely makes me better every day."
Fellow tackle Terrance Knighton is playing his final season for the Cherry & White infrared defense. But he's assured that Neblett will continue to lead the Owls.
""Andre brings confidence, leadership and a hard-work ethic," Knighton said. "It's been a pleasure to play next to him. I feel good, leaving as a senior, knowing he's going to be the leader of the d-line next year."
Neblett has seen turnaround off the field, too. The oldest of Stephan Neblett's and Tronia Dorsey's four children, Andre names his father as his hero.
"My dad had a lot of problems back in the day, and he was a guy who was able to turn his life around big time," Neblett shared. "For me, when I went to college, I really needed him, and that's when he did it; he stepped up to the plate. He really helped me get through this."
With eight games of the 2008 season yet to play and his senior season next fall, Neblett has already made an impact on the Temple program. Despite all his personal accolades, he remains a team player.
"My proudest moment has been seeing the team grow and the program turn around," Neblett revealed. "I'm seeing some of the same things that happened in high school as far as the turnaround goes."
The criminal justice major would like to play professional football, but he's anxious to complete his college education, too.
"My aunt's a cop, so I`d like to follow in her footsteps," Neblett said. "I'm leaning towards that if the NFL doesn't call. I'd like to be a state trooper."
But before he graduates, he has one goal he'd like to accomplish.
"A bowl game definitely," he said. "If not this year, then definitely next year. But I'm hoping this year. I think we can get it done. It can be done. We just need to trust the coaches and believe. "
