Temple University Athletics
Football’s Archibong and Mack Sign NFL Contracts as UDFAs
5.2.21 | Football
PHILADELPHIA – Following the 2021 National Football League Draft, defensive tackle Daniel Archibong and wide receiver Branden Mack signed free agent contracts becoming the 29th former Temple players currently amongst the ranks of the NFL. Archibong signed with the Chicago Bears and Mack signed with the Denver Broncos.
As durable as they come on the defensive line, Archibong played in 46 consecutive games for the Owls. A four-year letter winner, Archibong was awarded a single-digit in the summer before his 2019 season, and held onto that honor throughout the rest of his career.
Archibong finished his career with 89 total tackles to go along with 10.5 TFLs and six sacks. The Springfield, Pa., native also blocked two kicks and forced a fumble. His best season came in 2020 when he recorded 3.5 TFLs, two sacks, and 22 total tackles in just seven games due to the shortened season. Archibong joins fellow "Wild Boyz" Michael Dogbe (Arizona), Matt Ioannidis (Washington), Jacob Martin (Houston), Haason Reddick (Carolina), and Jullian Taylor (Tennessee) in the NFL.
"Dan is an outstanding young man," said Temple head coach Rod Carey. "He took pride in being one of the 'Wild Boyz' and it's no surprise that he gets to follow many of the former Temple defensive linemen into the NFL."
A four-year letter winner, Mack finished his Temple career as one of the most successful wide receivers in Owls' history. His 1,819 receiving yards and 131 receptions are good for seventh all-time, and his 15 receiving touchdowns is fifth in the school's record books.
A true leader on the team, Mack was awarded a single-digit for two seasons and played in 46 consecutive games for the Owls, starting in 33 of those. As a redshirt junior, Mack had one of the best seasons for an Owls' receiver (59-904-7TDs), while ranking eighth in receiving yards (73.8) and ninth in receptions (4.7) in the conference. During the 2019 season, Mack recorded games of 100+ yards five times with the best game of the campaign coming against UConn where he caught five passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns.
"Branden was such a class act while he was here," said Temple head coach Rod Carey. "He is a great football player and a great leader who will be missed. But he will do a great job in the NFL with the Broncos."
That makes 29 Owls in the NFL, and 27 joining in just the last six seasons. These new pros join the following former Owls currently active in the NFL:
Arizona Cardinals – Michael Dogbe
Atlanta Falcons – Matt Hennessy
Baltimore Ravens – Tavon Young
Buffalo Bills – Dion Dawkins, Tyler Matakevich
Carolina Panthers - Robby Anderson, Ventell Bryant, Sean Chandler, Sam Franklin, Keith Kirkwood, Haason Reddick, Colin Thompson, Phillip Walker, Tahir Whitehead
Chicago Bears – Daniel Archibong
Denver Broncos – Nate Hairston, Branden Mack, Brandon McManus
Houston Texans – Jacob Martin
Indianapolis Colts – Rock Ya-Sin
Jacksonville Jaguars – Ryquell Armstead, Chapelle Russell
Miami Dolphins – Chris Myarick
Minnesota Vikings – Harrison Hand
New York Jets – Sharif Finch
Philadelphia Eagles – Shaun Bradley
Tennessee Titans – Jullian Taylor
Washington Redskins – Matt Ioannidis, Isaiah Wright
Draft Notes:
As durable as they come on the defensive line, Archibong played in 46 consecutive games for the Owls. A four-year letter winner, Archibong was awarded a single-digit in the summer before his 2019 season, and held onto that honor throughout the rest of his career.
Archibong finished his career with 89 total tackles to go along with 10.5 TFLs and six sacks. The Springfield, Pa., native also blocked two kicks and forced a fumble. His best season came in 2020 when he recorded 3.5 TFLs, two sacks, and 22 total tackles in just seven games due to the shortened season. Archibong joins fellow "Wild Boyz" Michael Dogbe (Arizona), Matt Ioannidis (Washington), Jacob Martin (Houston), Haason Reddick (Carolina), and Jullian Taylor (Tennessee) in the NFL.
"Dan is an outstanding young man," said Temple head coach Rod Carey. "He took pride in being one of the 'Wild Boyz' and it's no surprise that he gets to follow many of the former Temple defensive linemen into the NFL."
A four-year letter winner, Mack finished his Temple career as one of the most successful wide receivers in Owls' history. His 1,819 receiving yards and 131 receptions are good for seventh all-time, and his 15 receiving touchdowns is fifth in the school's record books.
A true leader on the team, Mack was awarded a single-digit for two seasons and played in 46 consecutive games for the Owls, starting in 33 of those. As a redshirt junior, Mack had one of the best seasons for an Owls' receiver (59-904-7TDs), while ranking eighth in receiving yards (73.8) and ninth in receptions (4.7) in the conference. During the 2019 season, Mack recorded games of 100+ yards five times with the best game of the campaign coming against UConn where he caught five passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns.
"Branden was such a class act while he was here," said Temple head coach Rod Carey. "He is a great football player and a great leader who will be missed. But he will do a great job in the NFL with the Broncos."
That makes 29 Owls in the NFL, and 27 joining in just the last six seasons. These new pros join the following former Owls currently active in the NFL:
Arizona Cardinals – Michael Dogbe
Atlanta Falcons – Matt Hennessy
Baltimore Ravens – Tavon Young
Buffalo Bills – Dion Dawkins, Tyler Matakevich
Carolina Panthers - Robby Anderson, Ventell Bryant, Sean Chandler, Sam Franklin, Keith Kirkwood, Haason Reddick, Colin Thompson, Phillip Walker, Tahir Whitehead
Chicago Bears – Daniel Archibong
Denver Broncos – Nate Hairston, Branden Mack, Brandon McManus
Houston Texans – Jacob Martin
Indianapolis Colts – Rock Ya-Sin
Jacksonville Jaguars – Ryquell Armstead, Chapelle Russell
Miami Dolphins – Chris Myarick
Minnesota Vikings – Harrison Hand
New York Jets – Sharif Finch
Philadelphia Eagles – Shaun Bradley
Tennessee Titans – Jullian Taylor
Washington Redskins – Matt Ioannidis, Isaiah Wright
Draft Notes:
- This is the sixth straight year that Temple had multiple players join the NFL. However, the string of consecutive years with a player drafted ended at five.
- With five selections this season, UCF tied Temple with an AAC-leading 15 NFL draft picks since 2014, the first draft following the formation of the conference. Houston is next with 14 picks since 2014.
- Temple's 2016 recruiting class has now produced eight NFL players out of the 26 signees. That does not include the seven who remain active collegiate players.
- Temple's 2016 AAC Championship team has now placed 41 players into the professional ranks. DT Daniel Archibong, RB Ryquell Armstead, OL Cole Boozer, LB Shaun Bradley, DT Josiah Bronson, WR Ventell Bryant, SAF Sean Chandler, OL Dion Dawkins, TE Romond Deloatch, DT Michael Dogbe, WR Marshall Ellick, DE Avery Ellis, OL Jovahn Fair, DE Sharif Finch, SAF Sam Franklin, CB Nate Hairston, C Matt Hennessy, WR Adonis Jennings, OL Leon Johnson, WR Keith Kirkwood, DE Dana Levine, WR Branden Mack, DE Jacob Martin, DE Praise Martin-Oguike, TE Chris Myarick, SAF Delvon Randall, DE Haason Reddick, FB Rob Ritrovato, OL Jaelin Robinson, DE Quincy Roche, LB Chapelle Russell, FB Nick Sharga, WR Cortrelle Simpson, DT Jullian Taylor, CB Derrek Thomas, RB Jahad Thomas, TE Colin Thompson, QB Phillip Walker, LB Avery Williams, WR Isaiah Wright, TE Kenny Yeboah.
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