Temple University Athletics
An Owl's Journey
9.14.17 | Football
PHILADELPHIA - What does it mean to be an owl? Owls do many different things that set them apart from different animals in their habitat. They are silent flyers, which makes it easier to stalk their prey; they are labeled as a symbol of wisdom; and they are found in almost all habitats across the globe. These characteristics define owls, and they also define Artrel Foster.
Foster is a redshirt senior defensive back for the Temple Owls and he embodies not only what it is to be Temple TUFF, but also what it is to be an owl.
The Meadville, Pa., native is very soft spoken, and when asked about his leadership role this year, he recognizes his position but also mentions his current and former teammates and their jobs in the owls' secondary.
"I feel like this is an honor," Foster said. "I've been around some great defensive staffs and some great cornerbacks, but I wouldn't say I'm the leader. I would give that to Champ [Sean Chandler] so I look up to him. Our secondary as a whole is just very experienced and we try to take on that leadership role as a whole."
As much as Foster would like to play down his role, it is easy to see on and off the field that he leads by example and has a command of his position in Temple's strong secondary. That is one of the reasons he was awarded the single-digit number 8.
"He studies like crazy," said defensive coordinator Tavor Johnson. "He's a pro already when it comes to all the intricacies and the little detailed things and he's done a good job. He's physical, and you love physical corners and he's just done a nice job with that."
Being an owl not only means you are a silent killer, but also that you are wise. The past two seasons Foster has been named to the American Athletic Conference All Academic team and wears an Owl Scholar patch.
"This is a great school," Foster said. "It was not easy getting my degree in criminal justice. You have a great academic staff and great advisors who helped me. I'm just so happy to have the opportunity to come here and get my degree and play football."
The third-year cornerback is finishing his career in the Temple secondary, however Foster did not always play in the defensive backfield.
"When I was in high school I was really a running back and I played a little bit of corner but I was really more of an offensive guy," Foster said. "When I got here they just put me at corner and just took on that role."
Owls adapt to their habitat, and Foster did that for Temple. After being a first-team all-district defensive back and second team running back at Meadville High School, Foster mastered his craft in the defensive backfield and credits his progress to former Temple players.
"Luckily I was behind Tavon Young and other experienced guys so I got to pay attention to them," Foster said. "I just really enjoyed that and took on the role from there."
Foster looks to follow in the footsteps of his former teammates Nate Hairston and Tavon Young and see his lifelong dream of being a professional football player come true after this upcoming season.
"When I was younger my goal was to just be in the NFL," Foster said.
With another successful and productive year at Temple, this Owl would be well on his way to achieving his dream. He has all the characteristics of not only an owl, but also of an elite corner at the next level.
Foster is a redshirt senior defensive back for the Temple Owls and he embodies not only what it is to be Temple TUFF, but also what it is to be an owl.
The Meadville, Pa., native is very soft spoken, and when asked about his leadership role this year, he recognizes his position but also mentions his current and former teammates and their jobs in the owls' secondary.
"I feel like this is an honor," Foster said. "I've been around some great defensive staffs and some great cornerbacks, but I wouldn't say I'm the leader. I would give that to Champ [Sean Chandler] so I look up to him. Our secondary as a whole is just very experienced and we try to take on that leadership role as a whole."
As much as Foster would like to play down his role, it is easy to see on and off the field that he leads by example and has a command of his position in Temple's strong secondary. That is one of the reasons he was awarded the single-digit number 8.
"He studies like crazy," said defensive coordinator Tavor Johnson. "He's a pro already when it comes to all the intricacies and the little detailed things and he's done a good job. He's physical, and you love physical corners and he's just done a nice job with that."
Being an owl not only means you are a silent killer, but also that you are wise. The past two seasons Foster has been named to the American Athletic Conference All Academic team and wears an Owl Scholar patch.
"This is a great school," Foster said. "It was not easy getting my degree in criminal justice. You have a great academic staff and great advisors who helped me. I'm just so happy to have the opportunity to come here and get my degree and play football."
The third-year cornerback is finishing his career in the Temple secondary, however Foster did not always play in the defensive backfield.
"When I was in high school I was really a running back and I played a little bit of corner but I was really more of an offensive guy," Foster said. "When I got here they just put me at corner and just took on that role."
Owls adapt to their habitat, and Foster did that for Temple. After being a first-team all-district defensive back and second team running back at Meadville High School, Foster mastered his craft in the defensive backfield and credits his progress to former Temple players.
"Luckily I was behind Tavon Young and other experienced guys so I got to pay attention to them," Foster said. "I just really enjoyed that and took on the role from there."
Foster looks to follow in the footsteps of his former teammates Nate Hairston and Tavon Young and see his lifelong dream of being a professional football player come true after this upcoming season.
"When I was younger my goal was to just be in the NFL," Foster said.
With another successful and productive year at Temple, this Owl would be well on his way to achieving his dream. He has all the characteristics of not only an owl, but also of an elite corner at the next level.
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