Temple University Athletics
Getting to Know: Xach Gill and Lancine Turay
2.5.21 | Football
Joining the Owls from the University of North Carolina are a pair of defensive linemen, Xach Gill, a redshirt junior and Lancine (Lance) Turay, a redshirt sophomore.
Gill, a 6-5 290-pound defensive tackle registered four sacks in 2020 for the Tar Heels. Gill explained his excitement in joining the Owls by saying "I like Coach [Rod] Carey's scheme. I like everything about it and I think I can thrive."
As a Wake Forest, N.C., native, Gill is excited for the opportunities that the city of Philadelphia will provide since he has lived in smaller towns most of his life. "[Defensive line] Coach [Walter] Stewart told me that this is a pro city. There is a lot going on around you, this will absolutely help you on and off the field" said Gill.
After entering the transfer portal, Turay saw the greatest opportunity and fit with the Owls. "I came to Temple because ultimately everyone's goal is the same in college football, to go to the next level, and Temple has that pedigree behind them," he said citing former players such as Haasan Reddick and Tyler Matakevich.
Philadelphia is also a much more familiar location to Turay since he grew up in Newark, N.J. where most of his family is located. "This culture is more familiar to me; I know what Philadelphia is. It reminds me of home, I have been here, I am very comfortable here" explained Turay.
Turay not only has family ties to the area, but family ties to Temple Football. Turay's cousin Amara Kamara played linebacker from 2007 until 2010 and earned a single-digit for his senior season.
Gill and Turay shared the field and meeting rooms in Chapel Hill as they both played defensive line. The two were even roommates for a year before transferring to Temple. Fortunately, they will not be competing for the same position as Turay plays edge while Gill plays tackle. "It is more of a unity then a competition," explained Gill. "We have a unique chemistry that we look forward to building on."
The two are not only excited to continue to share the field but to grow within the strong tradition that Temple Football has built. "There is a lot of tradition, not many teams get to play in NFL stadiums and Temple does every week they are at home. That is something I wanted to be a part of," said Gill.
The fans of Philadelphia are passionate, and both newcomers know this. "They will get everything I have; every week and I will make an impact on the field and in the community," insisted Gill.
The defensive linemen will be trading in their Carolina Blue for the Cherry and White of Temple University but they both already feel at home and are incredibly excited to get to work in advance of the 2021 Temple Football season.
Gill, a 6-5 290-pound defensive tackle registered four sacks in 2020 for the Tar Heels. Gill explained his excitement in joining the Owls by saying "I like Coach [Rod] Carey's scheme. I like everything about it and I think I can thrive."
As a Wake Forest, N.C., native, Gill is excited for the opportunities that the city of Philadelphia will provide since he has lived in smaller towns most of his life. "[Defensive line] Coach [Walter] Stewart told me that this is a pro city. There is a lot going on around you, this will absolutely help you on and off the field" said Gill.
After entering the transfer portal, Turay saw the greatest opportunity and fit with the Owls. "I came to Temple because ultimately everyone's goal is the same in college football, to go to the next level, and Temple has that pedigree behind them," he said citing former players such as Haasan Reddick and Tyler Matakevich.
Philadelphia is also a much more familiar location to Turay since he grew up in Newark, N.J. where most of his family is located. "This culture is more familiar to me; I know what Philadelphia is. It reminds me of home, I have been here, I am very comfortable here" explained Turay.
Turay not only has family ties to the area, but family ties to Temple Football. Turay's cousin Amara Kamara played linebacker from 2007 until 2010 and earned a single-digit for his senior season.
Gill and Turay shared the field and meeting rooms in Chapel Hill as they both played defensive line. The two were even roommates for a year before transferring to Temple. Fortunately, they will not be competing for the same position as Turay plays edge while Gill plays tackle. "It is more of a unity then a competition," explained Gill. "We have a unique chemistry that we look forward to building on."
The two are not only excited to continue to share the field but to grow within the strong tradition that Temple Football has built. "There is a lot of tradition, not many teams get to play in NFL stadiums and Temple does every week they are at home. That is something I wanted to be a part of," said Gill.
The fans of Philadelphia are passionate, and both newcomers know this. "They will get everything I have; every week and I will make an impact on the field and in the community," insisted Gill.
The defensive linemen will be trading in their Carolina Blue for the Cherry and White of Temple University but they both already feel at home and are incredibly excited to get to work in advance of the 2021 Temple Football season.
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