Temple University Athletics
Photo by: Zamani Feelings
Football’s Rock Ya-Sin Goes from Scholarship-less to the NFL Radar
9.14.18 | Football
After last season, Rock Ya-Sin had a big decision to make regarding his future. Presbyterian College decided to become a non-scholarship program, so Ya-Sin had to find a new school. The coaches at Presbyterian couldn't ignore his ability nor restrain him from the chance to take the next step in his football career. Presbyterian's running backs coach Mitch Hall played under Geoff Collins at Western Carolina. Temple's coach Collins took a look at his tape and it didn't take much more before Rock Ya-Sin was officially a Temple Owl.
Ya-Sin knew instantly that this was the environment he felt he can flourish in. He is aware of the opportunities that Temple is able to provide and he isn't afraid of a little hard work, "Just being here, and playing at Temple, you get the kind of coaching you want and it's a hard-working, effort-based program. That's the type of program I feel I thrive in the most." This is all evident as it took just eight months for Ya-Sin to earn the prestigious honor of wearing a single-digit jersey. Ya-Sin knows that's not easy, and it's something he is both proud and thankful of, "It was a real honor that my teammates and coaches thought enough of me to have a single digit. There has been guys here for 4-5 years that weren't able to, but they awarded me one in eight months. It was just an honor that my peers, teammates, and coaches thought enough of me to earn that single-digit."
While Ya-Sin's hard work is being noticed, this isn't time to get complacent for him. When asked what he is setting out for and hoping to accomplish this year, he has just one thing on his mind, "I just want to win a conference championship. After three years of playing college football I haven't won a conference championship." This quote speaks so much about Ya-Sin's character and his unselfishness, team-first mindset.
Through the first two games of the season Rock Ya-Sin has not disappointed. In his first career start for an FBS program, he tallied five tackles including one for loss. In the second game against Buffalo, Ya-Sin recorded his first interception of the season while also posting seven tackles. He also made one of the most impressive plays of the day when Buffalo was going for the two point conversion after taking a 12-0 lead. Ya-Sin intercepted the pass in the front of the endzone and returned it the distance of the field, but it was later called back due to a block in the back away from the ball.
Ya-Sin has been a problem for opposing offenses through the first couple of weeks, making plays all over the field. He doesn't shy away from any moment and was flying around making plays on the ball all the way down the stretch of both games. Rock Ya-Sin has the tools to play at the next level with his length, speed, and physicality. More impressively than his natural talent is that he just continues to make the most of every opportunity he gets.
Ya-Sin knew instantly that this was the environment he felt he can flourish in. He is aware of the opportunities that Temple is able to provide and he isn't afraid of a little hard work, "Just being here, and playing at Temple, you get the kind of coaching you want and it's a hard-working, effort-based program. That's the type of program I feel I thrive in the most." This is all evident as it took just eight months for Ya-Sin to earn the prestigious honor of wearing a single-digit jersey. Ya-Sin knows that's not easy, and it's something he is both proud and thankful of, "It was a real honor that my teammates and coaches thought enough of me to have a single digit. There has been guys here for 4-5 years that weren't able to, but they awarded me one in eight months. It was just an honor that my peers, teammates, and coaches thought enough of me to earn that single-digit."
While Ya-Sin's hard work is being noticed, this isn't time to get complacent for him. When asked what he is setting out for and hoping to accomplish this year, he has just one thing on his mind, "I just want to win a conference championship. After three years of playing college football I haven't won a conference championship." This quote speaks so much about Ya-Sin's character and his unselfishness, team-first mindset.
Through the first two games of the season Rock Ya-Sin has not disappointed. In his first career start for an FBS program, he tallied five tackles including one for loss. In the second game against Buffalo, Ya-Sin recorded his first interception of the season while also posting seven tackles. He also made one of the most impressive plays of the day when Buffalo was going for the two point conversion after taking a 12-0 lead. Ya-Sin intercepted the pass in the front of the endzone and returned it the distance of the field, but it was later called back due to a block in the back away from the ball.
Ya-Sin has been a problem for opposing offenses through the first couple of weeks, making plays all over the field. He doesn't shy away from any moment and was flying around making plays on the ball all the way down the stretch of both games. Rock Ya-Sin has the tools to play at the next level with his length, speed, and physicality. More impressively than his natural talent is that he just continues to make the most of every opportunity he gets.
Players Mentioned
CB
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Javier Morton, 11/3/25
Monday, November 03
K.C. Keeler, 11/3/25
Monday, November 03
Allan Haye and Evan Simon, 11/1/25
Saturday, November 01
