The Art of Building a Legacy

From a misery plagued two-win season in 2013 to back-to-back 10-win seasons and an American Athletic Conference Championship, Temple football's senior class has been through a lot together. The highs and lows of college football are drastic, and the relationships created as a result are lasting - two things that these seniors know well.

However, one relationship that is unparalleled in the Owls' locker room - and in just about all of college football - is that of seniors Sharif Finch and Cequan Jefferson.

"We've always been close," said Jefferson. "We're like brothers."

Jefferson and Finch grew up together in Henrico County, Virginia, and have shared the gridiron since little league ball. Since then, the two have dominated as members of the same teams through every level. The dream of being able to play college football together, though, was never anything more than that - a dream.

Many would say that dreaming of playing college football with a childhood best friend is wishful thinking, but over the past three years for the Henrico County natives, that dream has become their reality.

"We always used to talk about it, playing together at the next level," Finch said. "It really is a dream come true."

At Henrico High School under head coach Roger Brookes, Jefferson and Finch racked up video game type numbers at their respective positions, garnered national attention from a number of Division 1 football programs, and made countless memories together.

"It was our senior year of high school against Armstrong, I scored three touchdowns and had two interceptions," Jefferson reflected, with a smile on his face. "And Sharif just went crazy. I forget how many sacks he had, but every interception I had was because of him. Everything I did that game was because of Sharif."

Finch's favorite memory from playing alongside Jefferson through the years speaks to their brotherhood. As if it was planned, he too happily reflected on his friend's dominant performance against crosstown rival Armstrong High School.

"My favorite memory has to be the last game of our senior year," Finch explained. "I swear [Jefferson] had at least three touchdowns, and maybe two interceptions… We needed to get that win, and he propelled us to victory."

In high school, Jefferson was named all-state on offense (wide receiver) and defense (cornerback), and that versatile play is still seen at Edberg-Olson Hall on a daily basis. Jefferson has willingly learned a plethora of positions - cornerback, safety, and wide receiver, notably - and has taken on the role of scout team quarterback over the past three weeks in preparation for the triple-option, ran by both Army and Navy's offenses.

At Temple, head coach Geoff Collins and his staff have placed an emphasis on position versatility, a department that Jefferson has excelled. Jefferson's willingness to take on new roles for the benefit of the program speaks not only to his athletic ability, but to his character as well.

"The team always needs certain things, and I'm the guy that will always be there for the team," said Jefferson. "Coach Collins always says, 'the more you can do, the more you can do,' and that's a motto that I like to go by."

As for Finch, who burst onto the scene in North Philadelphia at inside linebacker and as a punt-blocking specialist, position versatility comes naturally. At 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, Finch possesses a frame that fits for both the linebacker and defensive end slots, and his combination of size, speed, and a knack for getting to the quarterback makes him a dangerous threat around the edge for opposing offenses.

"Position versatility means everything." said Finch. "Playing special teams, playing every position that you can, and just giving it everything that you've got makes you extremely valuable to the program. The more you can do, the more you can do."

In addition to being versatile, the "Temple TUFF" mentality is another trait of significant value to coach Collins and company, and both Jefferson and Finch make sure to bring that trait to the table.

Being "Temple TUFF" is certainly more than a clever catch phrase or a unique social media campaign. Actually, it isn't that at all. According to Finch, it's a lifestyle. "Being Temple Tuff means the world to me." Finch explained. "It's a pride thing. It's about checking every single box. As a person, it's about doing everything to the best of your abilities."

"To be Temple TUFF, it's got to be inside you. It's about letting nothing bring you down," Jefferson continued. "Whether it be in school, in football, or in anything."

As Jefferson and Finch wrap up their senior campaigns, there are three games left to play with the Owls sitting at X-X. With a Friday night matchup looming against Cincinnati on the horizon, it's now or never for the Owls' senior class.

"It's all about winning every day," explained Finch. "Go out there and play our brand of football, get back to playing Temple TUFF football, give it everything you got, and see where it goes from there."

When asked about what his mentality will be for the last month of his career at Temple, Jefferson took a couple of seconds to let the question sink in, carefully selecting his words, with a very specific message in mind.

"Making the young guys remember this class as one that fought through the adversity of being 3-5. Giving them something to take with them for next year," said Jefferson. "Leaving this school with a legacy."

Come Friday night, Jefferson and Finch look to continue their legacy. Together.

Temple University Athletics

The Art of Building a Legacy

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Cequan Jefferson

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