Temple University Athletics
Senior S Jaiquawn Jarrett
Jaiquawn Jarrett: Escaping the Comfort Zone
11.18.10 | Football
Gameday Program Feature Story
by Cathy Bongiovi, Athletic Communications
To look at safety Jaiquawn Jarrett, the words football player may not immediately come to mind. His 6-2, lanky frame and smooth demeanor resemble that of a basketball player. And he's extremely quiet.
But looks can be deceptive.
At age 11, Jarrett had his first taste of football.
“I was real fast and real athletic,” he said.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Jarrett had never been to Philadelphia before his recruiting trip.
“I didn't really know what type of atmosphere it was, but when I got here, it reminded me of Brooklyn and the city life,” Jarrett said. “I'm accustomed to the city life, so it was easy for me to adjust to it.”
His adjustments to college life were normal-- time management, being on his own, and juggling football and class work. In 2007, Jarrett was one of 12 true freshmen to earn a starting role. Named the coaches' weekly player of the week five times, he had 11 tackles against No. 25 Penn State and made had his first interception in the win over Kent State.
In his four years as a Temple Owl, Jarrett has seen the football program grow, overcome astronomical odds, and prosper in a relatively short time. Today he and his fellow seniors will be honored before their last home game.
“A lot of guys on the team are still here today,” Jarrett said. “We bought into the program. We trusted Coach Golden, bought into his method, and see how far he's taken us.”
As the team came together, he has had to tackle his own problem-- escaping his comfort zone. Now a team captain, Jarrett has had to become more vocal on and off the field.
“Being a team captain means that the players on the team see me as a leader, and I just try to lead by example and show them and tell them the right things to do,” he said. “Being a leader on the team, I just try to get Coach Golden's message to the team.”
Jarrett admits it hasn't been easy.
“(I had to) get out of my comfort zone,” he said. “I have to show a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of passion, a lot of energy when I'm out there, so my teammates can feed off that energy and play well.”
Assistant head coach and defensive coordinator Mark D'Onofrio agrees.
“What Jaiquawn brings to the team is unbelievable,” D'Onofrio said. “He's a tremendous leader. He's not a guy who's naturally vocal in front of a big group, but he does whatever he has to do to help get the team ready. The biggest thing he does is lead by example with his preparation, the way he practices, and obviously the way he plays on gameday. He's been a security blanket here for us for four years.”
With several tough games remaining, Jarrett remains focused on the process and isn't looking ahead, despite the team's bowl eligibility for the second consecutive year. And he makes sure his teammates don't look ahead either.
“I just try to tell them this is a long season. And we have to win each and every day,” Jarrett shared. “You can't think ahead; you just have to take it one day at a time and just focus on one day. You can't focus on the next day or a week from now; you need to focus on the task at hand.”
The four-year starter is now on the national radar. Named to the prestigious Jim Thorpe Award Watch List as the nation's top defensive back, Jarrett earned Honorable Mention All-America honors and All-MAC honors in the preseason by several publications. A team captain for eight games this fall, Jarrett has played in every game of his collegiate career. He has started 41 consecutive games, the longest current streak.
Despite all of the team's achievements and his personal accolades, Jarrett wants to accomplish one more thing before he graduates.
“I would like to win a MAC championship.”
Joining Coach Golden and Bernard Piece in Detroit for the Mid-American Conference's annual media day in July, Jarrett has already visited Ford Field, the home of the MAC Championship game.
“Yes, I spoke to (my teammates) about it,” Jarrett said. “I let them know how exciting Ford Field is, how exciting the stadium is. It was incredible. I would like for us to get there.”
Temple's postseason plans will be determined with these last two regular-season games. But the Owls aren't resting on their laurels. They know they still have plenty of work ahead of them.
“It's exciting to know we're bowl eligible again, to know that I will be able to play one more game after the regular season is over,” Jarrett said. “It's just exciting, but we haven't really talked about being bowl eligible yet.”
One game at a time.
The criminal justice major would like to play professional football when his college days are over.
“He's been a tremendous asset and leader, and he has a really strong football future ahead of him,” D'Onofrio added.
When his playing days are over, Jarrett would like to put his degree to good use.
“I would like to work with the FBI or the CIA.”
Perhaps as an agent protecting our freedom Jarrett may have to once again escape his comfort zone.
To look at safety Jaiquawn Jarrett, the words football player may not immediately come to mind. His 6-2, lanky frame and smooth demeanor resemble that of a basketball player. And he's extremely quiet.
But looks can be deceptive.
At age 11, Jarrett had his first taste of football.
“I was real fast and real athletic,” he said.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Jarrett had never been to Philadelphia before his recruiting trip.
“I didn't really know what type of atmosphere it was, but when I got here, it reminded me of Brooklyn and the city life,” Jarrett said. “I'm accustomed to the city life, so it was easy for me to adjust to it.”
His adjustments to college life were normal-- time management, being on his own, and juggling football and class work. In 2007, Jarrett was one of 12 true freshmen to earn a starting role. Named the coaches' weekly player of the week five times, he had 11 tackles against No. 25 Penn State and made had his first interception in the win over Kent State.
In his four years as a Temple Owl, Jarrett has seen the football program grow, overcome astronomical odds, and prosper in a relatively short time. Today he and his fellow seniors will be honored before their last home game.
“A lot of guys on the team are still here today,” Jarrett said. “We bought into the program. We trusted Coach Golden, bought into his method, and see how far he's taken us.”
As the team came together, he has had to tackle his own problem-- escaping his comfort zone. Now a team captain, Jarrett has had to become more vocal on and off the field.
“Being a team captain means that the players on the team see me as a leader, and I just try to lead by example and show them and tell them the right things to do,” he said. “Being a leader on the team, I just try to get Coach Golden's message to the team.”
Jarrett admits it hasn't been easy.
“(I had to) get out of my comfort zone,” he said. “I have to show a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of passion, a lot of energy when I'm out there, so my teammates can feed off that energy and play well.”
Assistant head coach and defensive coordinator Mark D'Onofrio agrees.
“What Jaiquawn brings to the team is unbelievable,” D'Onofrio said. “He's a tremendous leader. He's not a guy who's naturally vocal in front of a big group, but he does whatever he has to do to help get the team ready. The biggest thing he does is lead by example with his preparation, the way he practices, and obviously the way he plays on gameday. He's been a security blanket here for us for four years.”
With several tough games remaining, Jarrett remains focused on the process and isn't looking ahead, despite the team's bowl eligibility for the second consecutive year. And he makes sure his teammates don't look ahead either.
“I just try to tell them this is a long season. And we have to win each and every day,” Jarrett shared. “You can't think ahead; you just have to take it one day at a time and just focus on one day. You can't focus on the next day or a week from now; you need to focus on the task at hand.”
The four-year starter is now on the national radar. Named to the prestigious Jim Thorpe Award Watch List as the nation's top defensive back, Jarrett earned Honorable Mention All-America honors and All-MAC honors in the preseason by several publications. A team captain for eight games this fall, Jarrett has played in every game of his collegiate career. He has started 41 consecutive games, the longest current streak.
Despite all of the team's achievements and his personal accolades, Jarrett wants to accomplish one more thing before he graduates.
“I would like to win a MAC championship.”
Joining Coach Golden and Bernard Piece in Detroit for the Mid-American Conference's annual media day in July, Jarrett has already visited Ford Field, the home of the MAC Championship game.
“Yes, I spoke to (my teammates) about it,” Jarrett said. “I let them know how exciting Ford Field is, how exciting the stadium is. It was incredible. I would like for us to get there.”
Temple's postseason plans will be determined with these last two regular-season games. But the Owls aren't resting on their laurels. They know they still have plenty of work ahead of them.
“It's exciting to know we're bowl eligible again, to know that I will be able to play one more game after the regular season is over,” Jarrett said. “It's just exciting, but we haven't really talked about being bowl eligible yet.”
One game at a time.
The criminal justice major would like to play professional football when his college days are over.
“He's been a tremendous asset and leader, and he has a really strong football future ahead of him,” D'Onofrio added.
When his playing days are over, Jarrett would like to put his degree to good use.
“I would like to work with the FBI or the CIA.”
Perhaps as an agent protecting our freedom Jarrett may have to once again escape his comfort zone.
Temple Men's Basketball 2025-26 All Access | Game 12 at Davidson 12.18.2025
Sunday, December 21
Ep. 29: Last Episode of First Semester from David & Amelia
Wednesday, December 17
MBB Press Conference vs. Saint Francis (Adam Fisher)
Sunday, December 14
MBB Press Conference vs. Saint Francis (Derrian Ford & Gavin Griffiths)
Sunday, December 14
