Temple University Athletics
Making Things Better
8.17.19 | Football
How would you like to be the most successful quarterback in the 135-year history of your university? Re-write the record book … Take a program that had won 10-or-more games just once in the previous 116 seasons and lead them to 10 wins in back-to-back years … Earn MVP honors in the school's first-ever conference championship game victory.
That kind of resume would set you up for the next level, right?
Well it is enough to have a larger than life-sized fathead adorning the entrance to your college football team's practice facility at 10th and Diamond.
"I'm blessed and humbled by the fact that Edberg-Olson Hall still has that up there of Tyler [Matakevich] and me," said Phillip Walker.
Known to many as P.J., Walker finished his career at Temple University in 2016 and has been a member of the Indianapolis Colts for the past two seasons after signing as an undrafted free agent in 2017. He was a member of their practice squad in 2017 and 2018 and is looking for a spot on the 2019 roster behind Andrew Luck and Jacoby Brissett.
While Walker has impressed the Colts enough to extend his football career, he has yet to attempt a pass in a regular season game. The main reason for that is he remains the understudy to Luck, the Colts' all-pro quarterback, and Brissett, recently identified as the top backup quarterback in the NFL. Luck entered the league with a pretty solid resume as well – he was the number one overall selection in the 2012 Draft out of Stanford and is a second generation NFL quarterback (his father Oliver played for the Houston Oilers).
"I have been able to learn a lot from Andrew," said Walker. "The way he prepares, the way he carries himself. He has a way of shaking off a bad play and coming back the next series as if it never happened."
While Luck has helped Walker refine his own game, Walker continues to make his teammates better – even from the sidelines. Two in particular – former Owls cornerbacks Nate Hairston and Rock Ya-Sin – are challenged each day by Walker.
"Every day it's been competitive between us out there," said Ya-Sin who was the Colts' top pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. "P.J. will keep saying that they're coming at me so I have to be prepared. Every day I'm making sure I'm getting better and staying focused and he stays on me about that."
Those who know Walker are not surprised by his ability to make his teammates better. The Owls recent success can be directly traced to his insertion in to the starting lineup midway through the 2013 season. Although just 8-11 as a starter his first two seasons, Walker led Temple to a 20-8 record, including back-to-back championship game and bowl appearances as a junior and senior. Along the way he rewrote all the school's passing records.
Since the Temple offense has never been labeled as explosive, it would surprise many to know that there are five former Temple receivers currently on NFL rosters [Robby Anderson (Jets), Ventell Bryant (Bengals), Matt Eaton (Buccaneers), Keith Kirkwood (Saints), and Cortrelle Simpson (Buccaneers)]. With Walker as their triggerman, Anderson, Bryant, and Kirkwood find themselves among the best TU receivers of all-time.
"We had a lot of players on offense as well as defense, who helped turn the program around at Temple," said Walker. "I don't know that any of us arrived on campus expecting to play in the NFL, but Coach Rhule laid out a plan and we followed it, and that allowed us to have success."
With many NFL rosters now littered with Temple alum, Walker has a chance to see one of his brothers nearly every week.
"There are Owls everywhere," he bragged. "I try to keep up with everyone as best as I can. When I don't travel with the Colts, I also have a chance to watch the current team play on Saturdays."
The goal, however, is to make the active roster and play on Sundays. Walker continues to practice and study film as if he is the starter, knowing anything can happen in the NFL.
"You can be just a snap or two away from playing," he warned, "so you always have to be ready at all times."
That kind of resume would set you up for the next level, right?
Well it is enough to have a larger than life-sized fathead adorning the entrance to your college football team's practice facility at 10th and Diamond.
"I'm blessed and humbled by the fact that Edberg-Olson Hall still has that up there of Tyler [Matakevich] and me," said Phillip Walker.
Known to many as P.J., Walker finished his career at Temple University in 2016 and has been a member of the Indianapolis Colts for the past two seasons after signing as an undrafted free agent in 2017. He was a member of their practice squad in 2017 and 2018 and is looking for a spot on the 2019 roster behind Andrew Luck and Jacoby Brissett.
While Walker has impressed the Colts enough to extend his football career, he has yet to attempt a pass in a regular season game. The main reason for that is he remains the understudy to Luck, the Colts' all-pro quarterback, and Brissett, recently identified as the top backup quarterback in the NFL. Luck entered the league with a pretty solid resume as well – he was the number one overall selection in the 2012 Draft out of Stanford and is a second generation NFL quarterback (his father Oliver played for the Houston Oilers).
"I have been able to learn a lot from Andrew," said Walker. "The way he prepares, the way he carries himself. He has a way of shaking off a bad play and coming back the next series as if it never happened."
While Luck has helped Walker refine his own game, Walker continues to make his teammates better – even from the sidelines. Two in particular – former Owls cornerbacks Nate Hairston and Rock Ya-Sin – are challenged each day by Walker.
"Every day it's been competitive between us out there," said Ya-Sin who was the Colts' top pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. "P.J. will keep saying that they're coming at me so I have to be prepared. Every day I'm making sure I'm getting better and staying focused and he stays on me about that."
Those who know Walker are not surprised by his ability to make his teammates better. The Owls recent success can be directly traced to his insertion in to the starting lineup midway through the 2013 season. Although just 8-11 as a starter his first two seasons, Walker led Temple to a 20-8 record, including back-to-back championship game and bowl appearances as a junior and senior. Along the way he rewrote all the school's passing records.
Since the Temple offense has never been labeled as explosive, it would surprise many to know that there are five former Temple receivers currently on NFL rosters [Robby Anderson (Jets), Ventell Bryant (Bengals), Matt Eaton (Buccaneers), Keith Kirkwood (Saints), and Cortrelle Simpson (Buccaneers)]. With Walker as their triggerman, Anderson, Bryant, and Kirkwood find themselves among the best TU receivers of all-time.
"We had a lot of players on offense as well as defense, who helped turn the program around at Temple," said Walker. "I don't know that any of us arrived on campus expecting to play in the NFL, but Coach Rhule laid out a plan and we followed it, and that allowed us to have success."
With many NFL rosters now littered with Temple alum, Walker has a chance to see one of his brothers nearly every week.
"There are Owls everywhere," he bragged. "I try to keep up with everyone as best as I can. When I don't travel with the Colts, I also have a chance to watch the current team play on Saturdays."
The goal, however, is to make the active roster and play on Sundays. Walker continues to practice and study film as if he is the starter, knowing anything can happen in the NFL.
"You can be just a snap or two away from playing," he warned, "so you always have to be ready at all times."
Players Mentioned
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WR
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DB
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WR
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WR
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QB
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CB
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