Young and the Rest List

If you took a look at the 2015 Temple Football roster on November 28, 2015, you may not be overly impressed.

As the team was set to host its Senior Day game against UConn, there was a group of players who entered the game with a 9-2 record.

That season began with a thrilling 27-10 win against in-state rivals Penn State – the first win against the Nittany Lions for Temple in over 70 years and 40 tries. A 7-0 start to the season eventually led to ESPN hosting College Game Day in Philadelphia on October 31 when the #9 ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish came to Lincoln Financial Field. However, a 2-2 November left the Owls needing a win to advance to the American Athletic Conference Championship Game.

That team, led by senior captains Kyle Friend, Matt Ioannidis, Tyler Matakevich, and Tavon Young, went on to beat UConn, 27-3, moved on to the AAC Championship Game and played in Temple's first bowl game in four years. Those seniors were able to play in some meaningful and memorable games but they had never played with a teammate who played at the next level.

Temple did not produce one NFL-caliber player since the 2011 team. The group who arrived in 2012, the 2015 senior class, didn't know what it took to make it to the next level.

Or did they?

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"You go to Temple you have to work hard," said Tavon Young who now plays for the Baltimore Ravens and recently signed an extension to make him the highest paid nickel corner in the NFL. "That's what they thrive on up there. They turned me into a machine for real, so when I got to the NFL it was 'this is what I been doing' so that wasn't anything new."

Young's father, Tony, works at a non-profit organization that helps athletes go to camps over the summer. Tavon points to his father's work-ethic as a shining example for him. "Just how I was made. It didn't come from anybody telling me to work hard. I witnessed my father and my mom growing up. I had to take it into my own hands at some point."

Tavon has played in 31 games for the Ravens with 89 tackles and three interceptions. His work ethic was evident when he missed the entire 2017 season with a knee injury but returned to play in 15 games with six starts in 2018.
He added, "You gotta give credit to hard work, just working hard. Just staying to my grind. Coaches from college preparing me [for the next level]."

One of those coaches was current Temple co-defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach, Fran Brown. "Coach Fran Brown, he started off as a graduate assistant when I first got there. He and I clicked from the first time I went there in summer camp as a high schooler. He and I have been talking ever since then, so he was like a big brother/father figure."

"We always pushed each other," said Young about how a culture was built that provided at least one NFL-caliber defensive back in the last four years. "Champ [Sean Chandler], Nate [Hairston]. Mainly those two. You can see where we are now, that's where it started at."

The three have maintained a bond that can never be broken. "We talk about what we went through at Temple - the good times, the rough times."

Young didn't play with Rock Ya-Sin, a transfer who only played for Temple in 2018, and has was recently drafted by Indianapolis. "Shout out to Rock too. I know him but I didn't get to play with him of course. He seems like a hard working dude, a good player."

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When Young was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft with the 104^th overall selection, he became the first in a now long line of NFL products out of Temple.

Young was quickly joined by Ioannidis and Matakevich that same draft. Three more in 2017, two in 2018 and another three in 2019. Joining those 11 are another 27 players from that 2015 team who earned at least a look at professional football.

Yes, 38 players from that 2015 Temple Football roster were good enough to make it to the next level. Maybe now it's no surprise that Temple was able to beat Penn State that season!

Young still keeps up with his Owl teammates, his brothers, even though they don't share the same uniforms anymore. "Me and Tyler are really rivals," Young said of Matakevich who plays for the Ravens archrival Pittsburgh Steelers. "During the game we laugh still. It's football at the end of the day. After the game we chop it up everytime. That's my dog. You always root for your guys but on the field we try and win."

With over two dozen former Owls still in the NFL, they are scattered around the country. Young, an Oxon Hills native, was fortunate to be selected by his hometown team. "That was a blessing. I'm still around my family, they come visit me sometimes. I don't go home a lot but they come see me."

His family is very proud of his professional accomplishments but maybe moreso of his final achievement at Temple. "I just needed one class," said Young who returned after to Temple one season after the NFL called. "I was the first one to graduate college in my family. It meant a lot to my parents and it means a lot to me. I didn't go there just to play football. I went to play football and get educated."

When asked what he wanted his Temple family to know he replied, "I'm still the same Tavon from when I was at Temple. Not married, engaged or anything like that. I'll always be thankful for the support and I really appreciate the Temple community."

Temple University Athletics

Young and the Rest List

Players Mentioned

Sean Chandler

Kyle Friend

Matt Ioannidis

Tyler Matakevich

Rock Ya-Sin

Tavon Young

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