Temple University Athletics
Eight More Owls Join the NFL Ranks
5.1.23 | Football
PHILADELPHIA – This past weekend the National Football League held its 2023 Draft. five members of last year's Temple Football team, and three others who graduated from Temple but transferred to play their final season(s) elsewhere, are now chasing their dreams of playing in the NFL.
Christian Braswell was the first to have his name called when the Jacksonville Jaguars selected the cornerback in the sixth round with the 202nd overall selection. Following the Draft, wide receiver Jose Barbon signed as undrafted free agent with the Dallas Cowboys. Offensive linemen Adam Klein (Washington Commanders) and Isaac Moore (Green Bay Packers), defensive lineman Xach Gill (New York Giants), wide receivers Adonicas Sanders (Indianapolis Colts) and Jadan Blue (Chicago Bears), and quarterback Todd Centeio (Kansas City Chiefs) were all offered rookie mini-camp tryouts.
Barbon is coming off his best collegiate season in 2022 with a team-leading 71 catches for 910 yards and two touchdowns. He was the first Temple receiver to post six 100-yard receiving games in the same season. His 13 catches vs. East Carolina in the season finale ranks second in the TU record books behind only Clint Graves' 15 against Rhode Island in 1972. Barbon finished his career at Temple with 137 catches for 1,600 yards, good for fifth and 14th, respectively, in the school record books.
Blue, who spent the 2022 season with Virginia Tech, had a productive Temple career from 2017-21. The Maryland native appeared in 34 games over the course of four seasons with the Owls, making 18 starts. He recorded 169 receptions, 1,662 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns, while also serving as one of the Owls' primary return options. His best season came in 2019, when he set the single-season school record with 95 receptions for 1,067 yards, becoming the first player in Temple history with a 1,000-yard receiving season. Blue was named a single-digit in 2020, wearing it proudly for two seasons.
Braswell, who played the previous two seasons at Rutgers, was a leader in the defensive backfield. The Washington, D.C., native played in 30 games for the Owls over the course of three seasons, recording 61 tackles, 16 pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and three interceptions, including a pick-six in Temple's win over UConn in 2018. Most notably, Braswell earned the coveted honor of being named a single-digit prior to his final season with the Owls.
Centeio played at Colorado State and James Madison after spending 2017-19 at Temple. In three seasons with the Owls, Centeio served as a change of pace quarterback, appearing in 24 games. The Florida native, was known for keeping the defense on its toes, recording the same amount of rushing attempts and passing attempts in his Temple career (71). Centeio threw for 613 yards and seven touchdowns, while rushing for 235 yards and one touchdown.
Gill was a leader on the defensive line and in the locker room, being voted a team captain by his teammates, and earning a single-digit for his final game with Temple. The North Carolina transfer played in all 12 games last season for the Owls, making his only four career starts. He finished his career with 37 games played, recording 41 tackles and two sacks.
Klein was the jack of all trades in the offensive line room. The Pennsylvania native earned the honor of being a single-digit, even though he couldn't wear the number due to NCAA regulations preventing offensiv linemen to do so. Over the course of his five-year career, he played in 50 games, starting 45 games at every position along the line, except left tackle. His main spot was at right tackle, making 27 starts, while also starting three games at left guard, eight at right guard, and seven at center.
Moore was a consistent anchor on the offensive line, starting all 12 games at left tackle in 2022. Like Klein, the Sweden native earned the honor of being a single-digit, even though he couldn't wear the number. He exhausted his eligibility setting a school record with 57 consecutive games played (the previous record was 54 set by Delvon Randall). The five-time letterwinner never missed a game in his Temple career. His dependability was needed in 2022 as the Owls never started the same five players on the offensive line in consecutive games. Despite this, Temple allowed only 10 sacks this past season, which ranked eighth in the FBS.
Sanders made the most of his one season with the Owls. He earned a coveted single-digit just months into his Owls' career as a transfer, a feat accomplished last by CB Rock Ya-Sin in 2018. The Georgia Tech transfer played in nine games for the Cherry and White, making eight starts. He recorded career-highs in receptions (38) and receiving yards (440), adding two touchdowns. For his career, he finished with 103 catches, 1,274 yards, and six touchdowns in 44 games, 22 of them starts.
Blue (adult and organizational development), Braswell (human development / community engagement), and Centeio (communication studies) all earned their undergraduate degrees from Temple. Additionally, defensive lineman Ifeanyi Maijeh and wide receiver Sean Ryan, who began their college career at Temple but did not complete graduation, were signed as undrafted free agents with the Seattle Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens, respectively.
This would give Temple 34 active players participating in NFL camps this summer.
These players join the following former 26 Owls currently in the NFL:
Arizona Cardinals – Nate Hairston
Atlanta Falcons – Arnold Ebiketie, Matt Hennessy
Buffalo Bills – Dion Dawkins, Tyler Matakevich
Carolina Panthers – Sam Franklin
Chicago Bears – P.J. Walker
Denver Broncos – Jacob Martin, Brandon McManus
Jacksonville Jaguars – Michael Dogbe
Miami Dolphins – Chosen Anderson
Minnesota Vikings – William Kwenkeu
New Orleans Saints – Keith Kirkwood
New York Giants – Chris Myarick
New York Jets – Kenny Yeboah
Philadelphia Eagles – Shaun Bradley, Haason Reddick
Pittsburgh Steelers – Quincy Roche, Chapelle Russell
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Michael Niese
Free Agents – Sean Chandler (Panthers), Harrison Hand (Bears), Matt Ioannidis (Panthers), Colin Thompson (Panthers), Rock Ya-Sin (Raiders), Tavon Young (Bears)
In addition to these Temple products earning a shot at the NFL, Temple's current coaching staff is proud of the players they have developed at their previous stops. Included in that list are:
Draft Notes:
Christian Braswell was the first to have his name called when the Jacksonville Jaguars selected the cornerback in the sixth round with the 202nd overall selection. Following the Draft, wide receiver Jose Barbon signed as undrafted free agent with the Dallas Cowboys. Offensive linemen Adam Klein (Washington Commanders) and Isaac Moore (Green Bay Packers), defensive lineman Xach Gill (New York Giants), wide receivers Adonicas Sanders (Indianapolis Colts) and Jadan Blue (Chicago Bears), and quarterback Todd Centeio (Kansas City Chiefs) were all offered rookie mini-camp tryouts.
Barbon is coming off his best collegiate season in 2022 with a team-leading 71 catches for 910 yards and two touchdowns. He was the first Temple receiver to post six 100-yard receiving games in the same season. His 13 catches vs. East Carolina in the season finale ranks second in the TU record books behind only Clint Graves' 15 against Rhode Island in 1972. Barbon finished his career at Temple with 137 catches for 1,600 yards, good for fifth and 14th, respectively, in the school record books.
Blue, who spent the 2022 season with Virginia Tech, had a productive Temple career from 2017-21. The Maryland native appeared in 34 games over the course of four seasons with the Owls, making 18 starts. He recorded 169 receptions, 1,662 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns, while also serving as one of the Owls' primary return options. His best season came in 2019, when he set the single-season school record with 95 receptions for 1,067 yards, becoming the first player in Temple history with a 1,000-yard receiving season. Blue was named a single-digit in 2020, wearing it proudly for two seasons.
Braswell, who played the previous two seasons at Rutgers, was a leader in the defensive backfield. The Washington, D.C., native played in 30 games for the Owls over the course of three seasons, recording 61 tackles, 16 pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and three interceptions, including a pick-six in Temple's win over UConn in 2018. Most notably, Braswell earned the coveted honor of being named a single-digit prior to his final season with the Owls.
Centeio played at Colorado State and James Madison after spending 2017-19 at Temple. In three seasons with the Owls, Centeio served as a change of pace quarterback, appearing in 24 games. The Florida native, was known for keeping the defense on its toes, recording the same amount of rushing attempts and passing attempts in his Temple career (71). Centeio threw for 613 yards and seven touchdowns, while rushing for 235 yards and one touchdown.
Gill was a leader on the defensive line and in the locker room, being voted a team captain by his teammates, and earning a single-digit for his final game with Temple. The North Carolina transfer played in all 12 games last season for the Owls, making his only four career starts. He finished his career with 37 games played, recording 41 tackles and two sacks.
Klein was the jack of all trades in the offensive line room. The Pennsylvania native earned the honor of being a single-digit, even though he couldn't wear the number due to NCAA regulations preventing offensiv linemen to do so. Over the course of his five-year career, he played in 50 games, starting 45 games at every position along the line, except left tackle. His main spot was at right tackle, making 27 starts, while also starting three games at left guard, eight at right guard, and seven at center.
Moore was a consistent anchor on the offensive line, starting all 12 games at left tackle in 2022. Like Klein, the Sweden native earned the honor of being a single-digit, even though he couldn't wear the number. He exhausted his eligibility setting a school record with 57 consecutive games played (the previous record was 54 set by Delvon Randall). The five-time letterwinner never missed a game in his Temple career. His dependability was needed in 2022 as the Owls never started the same five players on the offensive line in consecutive games. Despite this, Temple allowed only 10 sacks this past season, which ranked eighth in the FBS.
Sanders made the most of his one season with the Owls. He earned a coveted single-digit just months into his Owls' career as a transfer, a feat accomplished last by CB Rock Ya-Sin in 2018. The Georgia Tech transfer played in nine games for the Cherry and White, making eight starts. He recorded career-highs in receptions (38) and receiving yards (440), adding two touchdowns. For his career, he finished with 103 catches, 1,274 yards, and six touchdowns in 44 games, 22 of them starts.
Blue (adult and organizational development), Braswell (human development / community engagement), and Centeio (communication studies) all earned their undergraduate degrees from Temple. Additionally, defensive lineman Ifeanyi Maijeh and wide receiver Sean Ryan, who began their college career at Temple but did not complete graduation, were signed as undrafted free agents with the Seattle Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens, respectively.
This would give Temple 34 active players participating in NFL camps this summer.
These players join the following former 26 Owls currently in the NFL:
Arizona Cardinals – Nate Hairston
Atlanta Falcons – Arnold Ebiketie, Matt Hennessy
Buffalo Bills – Dion Dawkins, Tyler Matakevich
Carolina Panthers – Sam Franklin
Chicago Bears – P.J. Walker
Denver Broncos – Jacob Martin, Brandon McManus
Jacksonville Jaguars – Michael Dogbe
Miami Dolphins – Chosen Anderson
Minnesota Vikings – William Kwenkeu
New Orleans Saints – Keith Kirkwood
New York Giants – Chris Myarick
New York Jets – Kenny Yeboah
Philadelphia Eagles – Shaun Bradley, Haason Reddick
Pittsburgh Steelers – Quincy Roche, Chapelle Russell
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Michael Niese
Free Agents – Sean Chandler (Panthers), Harrison Hand (Bears), Matt Ioannidis (Panthers), Colin Thompson (Panthers), Rock Ya-Sin (Raiders), Tavon Young (Bears)
In addition to these Temple products earning a shot at the NFL, Temple's current coaching staff is proud of the players they have developed at their previous stops. Included in that list are:
| Pos | Player | Coach | School | NFL Team | Rd/Overall |
| RB | Bijan Robinson | Stan Drayton | Texas | Atlanta | 1st-8 |
| RB | Roschon Johnson | Stan Drayton | Texas | Chicago | 4th-115 |
| WR | Aron Cruickshank | Adam Scheier | Rutgers | Chicago | UDFA |
Draft Notes:
- This is the eighth straight year that Temple has sent at least one player to the NFL. That marks the second longest streak in school history – Temple sent players to the NFL in every year from 1979-89.
- Former Temple players are represented on 20 of the 32 NFL teams.
- Fourteen of the last 15 players who were drafted from Temple – dating back to Tavon Young as the 104th selection in 2016 – remain active in the NFL.
Players Mentioned
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