Temple University Athletics
Record 26 Temple Players Make NFL Rosters
9.10.20 | Football
PHILADELPHIA – Now that the National Football League rosters are set for opening day, a record-setting 26 former Temple Owls have made their respective teams.
A group of Owls is called a Parliament and the cornerstone of this Parliament is located in Carolina. Newly minted Panthers' head coach Matt Rhule spent years recruiting a similar type of player to 10th and Diamond and he's banking on that same type of player to bring success to the Panthers.
During the offseason he brought seven former Owls to Charlotte and he kept six on the 53-man roster. Linebacker Tahir Whitehead (2008-11 with Temple) and wide receiver Robby Anderson (2011-13, 2015) will start this Sunday against Las Vegas, while safety Sam Franklin (2016-19), tight end Colin Thompson (2014-16), and quarterback Phillip Walker (2013-16) will be in uniform. Wide receiver Keith Kirkwood (2014, 2016-17) will miss the first few weeks with a shoulder injury.
A pair of Owls are setting up shop in Buffalo, Arizona, and Washington. The Bills start Dion Dawkins (2013-16) at left tackle and he was joined by linebacker Tyler Matakevich (2012-15) this season after "Dirty Red" captained the Steelers special teams a year ago. The Cardinals can field two Owls at one time with defensive tackle Michael Dogbe (2015-18) and linebacker Haason Reddick (2013-16). Defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis (2012-15) returns to the Washington Football Team and is joined by rookie wide receiver Isaiah Wright (2016-19).
All four NFC East teams have a Temple presence. Besides the Washington duo, Philadelphia has linebacker Shaun Bradley (2016-19), Dallas has wide receiver Ventell Bryant (2015-18), and the New York Giants have safety Sean Chandler (2014-17). Chandler is currently on the Giants' practice squad.
All of Temple's record-setting 2020 NFL Draft Class made their team this summer. Bradley made the Eagles as a sixth-round pick and has been very impressive in camp. Matt Hennessy (2016-19), a third-round selection for Atlanta, is expected to start at left guard. Cornerback Harrison Hand (2019) provides depth for Minnesota, while linebacker Chapelle Russell (2016-19) earned a spot on Tampa Bay's practice squad.
Cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (2018) is now a starter in his second season for Indianapolis. Brandon McManus (2009-12) begins his seventh season as the kicker for Denver. New York Jets cornerback Nate Hairston (2014-16), Houston linebacker Jacob Martin (2014-17), San Francisco defensive tackle Jullian Taylor (2017), and Baltimore cornerback Tavon Young (2012-15) all remain with their team for another season and increased playing time.
For now, Jaguars running back Ryquell Armstead (2015-18) is on the NFL COVID list and is several weeks away from returning. Tight end Chris Myarick (2016-18) is on the Dolphins' practice squad for a second year.
Only 16 schools currently have more than Temple's 26 active players. Temple has more players in the NFL than any non-Power 5 school. In all, more than half of the league's 32 teams (18 in all) will sport some Cherry and White on the field this season.
A group of Owls is called a Parliament and the cornerstone of this Parliament is located in Carolina. Newly minted Panthers' head coach Matt Rhule spent years recruiting a similar type of player to 10th and Diamond and he's banking on that same type of player to bring success to the Panthers.
During the offseason he brought seven former Owls to Charlotte and he kept six on the 53-man roster. Linebacker Tahir Whitehead (2008-11 with Temple) and wide receiver Robby Anderson (2011-13, 2015) will start this Sunday against Las Vegas, while safety Sam Franklin (2016-19), tight end Colin Thompson (2014-16), and quarterback Phillip Walker (2013-16) will be in uniform. Wide receiver Keith Kirkwood (2014, 2016-17) will miss the first few weeks with a shoulder injury.
A pair of Owls are setting up shop in Buffalo, Arizona, and Washington. The Bills start Dion Dawkins (2013-16) at left tackle and he was joined by linebacker Tyler Matakevich (2012-15) this season after "Dirty Red" captained the Steelers special teams a year ago. The Cardinals can field two Owls at one time with defensive tackle Michael Dogbe (2015-18) and linebacker Haason Reddick (2013-16). Defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis (2012-15) returns to the Washington Football Team and is joined by rookie wide receiver Isaiah Wright (2016-19).
All four NFC East teams have a Temple presence. Besides the Washington duo, Philadelphia has linebacker Shaun Bradley (2016-19), Dallas has wide receiver Ventell Bryant (2015-18), and the New York Giants have safety Sean Chandler (2014-17). Chandler is currently on the Giants' practice squad.
All of Temple's record-setting 2020 NFL Draft Class made their team this summer. Bradley made the Eagles as a sixth-round pick and has been very impressive in camp. Matt Hennessy (2016-19), a third-round selection for Atlanta, is expected to start at left guard. Cornerback Harrison Hand (2019) provides depth for Minnesota, while linebacker Chapelle Russell (2016-19) earned a spot on Tampa Bay's practice squad.
Cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (2018) is now a starter in his second season for Indianapolis. Brandon McManus (2009-12) begins his seventh season as the kicker for Denver. New York Jets cornerback Nate Hairston (2014-16), Houston linebacker Jacob Martin (2014-17), San Francisco defensive tackle Jullian Taylor (2017), and Baltimore cornerback Tavon Young (2012-15) all remain with their team for another season and increased playing time.
For now, Jaguars running back Ryquell Armstead (2015-18) is on the NFL COVID list and is several weeks away from returning. Tight end Chris Myarick (2016-18) is on the Dolphins' practice squad for a second year.
Only 16 schools currently have more than Temple's 26 active players. Temple has more players in the NFL than any non-Power 5 school. In all, more than half of the league's 32 teams (18 in all) will sport some Cherry and White on the field this season.
Players Mentioned
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