Kwenkeu and Maijeh Earn Single-Digits

PHILADELPHIA –Temple Football head coach Rod Carey announced today that two more players earned single-digit honors. Linebacker William Kwenkeu switches from number 35 to number 4 while defensive tackle Ifeanyi Maijeh will now sport the #9 jersey after changing from his childhood favorite #88.

A Temple tradition that was originally instituted by then head coach Al Golden in 2009, the awarding of single-digits has become one of the most symbolic in all of college football. The toughest players, on and off the field, as awarded by their teammates, has become an identity and badge of honor to those who are deemed "Temple Tuff." In fact, several other college football programs have adopted the tradition.

Kwenkeu, a Waldorf, Md. native, earned Phil Steele preseason All-American Athletic Conference third team recognition after redshirting last season behind a deep and talented linebacking unit – all three starters (Shaun Bradley, Sam Franklin, and Chapelle Russell) are now in the NFL. Before the 2019 season, Kwenkeu had played in at least 11 games in all three seasons, recording 81 total tackles, six tackles for loss, and three sacks.

"It is an honor to be selected and recognized as one of the toughest guys amongst a team full of tough guys. It's also a great feeling to be part of such a tremendous tradition here at Temple Football. It adds fuels to the fire, to continue to raise the bar by being a fearless leader, a hard worker and positive influence on my teammates and community."

Maijeh, a redshirt junior from New York, earned first team All-AAC and All-ECAC honors last season after finishing eighth in the conference in sacks per game (0.60). In addition to that, he recorded 6.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, and five QB hits, all numbers that ranked top three on the team. This year, Maijeh starts the season in the spotlight as he earned preseason All-America accolades and was listed on watch lists for the Bednarik Award, the Nagurski Trophy, and the Outland Trophy.

"It's truly an honor, I've always wanted to be a single-digit since I was a freshman," said Maijeh. "I knew what it stood for and respected the people who wore it. Getting a single-digit means leaving my legacy behind, which was also a personal goal of mine."

Kwenkeu and Maijeh join other single-digit players WR Randle Jones (#0), WR Branden Mack (#1), CB Christian Braswell (#2), SAF Amir Tyler (#3), WR Jadan Blue (#5), DT Daniel Archibong (#6), and LB Isaiah Graham-Mobley (#8). Offensive linemen, who are prohibited from wearing numbers outside of 50-79 in a game, may still receive a "Temple Tuff" honor despite not being able to wear this distinction.