A Piece of the Rock

Many young men, and a few young women, dream of making it to the National Football League. The odds are against them as those dreams are often extinguished as they move from Pop Warner to high school to college, as only the best of the best are able to prolong their careers.

Those who do dream the dream, think what it would be like to hear their name called on draft day by the NFL commissioner. It keeps them up nights but fuels their passion to fulfill their dream.

Not Rock Ya-Sin.

He grew up without the intention of playing football, without the vision in his head of what it would be like.

It doesn't mean he is any less prepared.

Ya-Sin did hear his name called on draft day. "With the 34^th pick, the Colts select cornerback Rock Ya-Sin of Temple." He was the second selection of the second round and the first selection by the Indianapolis Colts.

His route was as unique as his name.

Ya-Sin grew up a wrestler and it wasn't until high school that he turned to the gridiron. Having limited exposure, he attended Presbyterian College, a small football school in South Carolina. Prior to his senior year they were moving to a non-scholarship football program and allowed their players to seek other opportunities. Temple, under then-head coach Geoff Collins, pursued Ya-Sin and he enrolled at the North Philadelphia school for the 2018 season.

Ya-Sin quickly impressed his teammates and coaches finding his way into the starting lineup. More impressive, however, was that they deemed him single-digit worthy, an honor very important at Temple. Only the toughest players get to wear single-digit jerseys and it takes a very special player to earn it as quickly as Ya-Sin.

While he came to Temple as a talented player, the Temple culture brought out the best in him.

"I feel like Temple recruits very talented players," said Ya-Sin. "They come in and recruit these guys and challenge these players every single day. At some schools, you can't challenge players because they might quit… there were so many guys at Temple that can continue to be challenged and will continue to get better. That was the thing, you can push a guy at Temple so hard because of the culture there, that's normal there. To be able to push kids as far as they can go, it helps them grow as a person and a player. That why Temple is getting so many guys to the next level."

That culture not only made him better but has helped prepare him for his next challenge.

"The experience of transferring to Temple definitely helped me a lot. It was essentially the same experience because everything was new. New program, new teammates, new coaches, new organization, a new defensive system. Coming to Temple last year, it really helped me grow as a person and also helped me adjust quickly to new situations like with Indianapolis."

Ya-Sin's work ethic was very noticeable at Temple and was recognized at the NFL Combine and Senior Bowl. Many scouts and GMs acknowledged that was a factor in his climbing the draft board.

"I feel like I come in and just try to get better every day. Grinding hard, doing the little things, watching extra film. Staying extra after practice, coming in early before practice. I try to do all of the little things in order to keep getting better every day. Pressure is something you feel when you don't know what you're doing and I feel like I know what I'm doing and continue to get better."

Although he didn't play with them at Temple, Ya-Sin credits a couple of former Owls – Nate Hairston and P.J. Walker – with helping him feel welcome and comfortable in Indianapolis.

"Both guys welcomed me [in Indianapolis] with open arms. Anybody who played at Temple understands what it means to play at Temple and how hard it is to play there. The other guys also appreciate the fact that I came from Temple and was a part of the culture there like they were. They welcomed me even though we hadn't played at Temple together."

Hairston has since been traded to the New York Jets but Walker still competes at practice with Ya-Sin.

Every day it's been competitive between us out there. Every day has been a challenge and 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."

With opening day this Sunday against the Chargers in Los Angeles, Ya-Sin is ready to live what many only dream about.

"I've always been a guy that has a lot to prove… got a chip on my shoulder, from high school, to Presbyterian, to Temple, and now here."

"Every play has its own identity and you're only as good as your last play, so every day I am trying to make as many plays as possible. I am trying to come out and show that I belong here and show that they picked me for the right reasons."

Temple University Athletics

A Piece of the Rock

Players Mentioned

Nate Hairston

Rock Ya-Sin

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