Growing the Game

In addition to their skill on the field, Temple Football's 2024 roster is attracting attention for its remarkable international diversity. Setting the standard in college football, Temple is proud to have the most internationally represented roster in the FBS, with players from eight different countries. This unique composition adds a range of perspectives, backgrounds, and playing styles that strengthen the overall inclusive culture of the program, which overall enhances the team's chemistry. Each player's journey to Temple is a story of perseverance, adaptability, and a shared love for the game. As the season progresses, Temple's international players are doing more than just representing the university; they are, as they call it, putting on for their hometowns.

Coming in from Germany, freshman tight end Daniel Evert has been making a name for himself on North Broad. He played his first game against Utah State, where he caught his first career pass for a two-yard touchdown. The following week, he made his first start against Army, where he responded with a 54-yard touchdown reception. As a member of the 2024 recruiting class, the other international players on the team helped Evert settle in at Temple right away. Having grown accustomed to his mother's home-cooked meals in Germany, he is adjusting to the new cuisine and observes that the people are friendlier than he initially realized. He takes great pride in representing Germany and is motivated by the idea that "if you set your mind to something, you can succeed."

Peter Clarke is a sophomore tight end from London, England. He learned how to play American football by watching YouTube videos and mastered his skills at the NFL Academy. He is a big-bodied tight end with soft hands who is skilled enough to make an impact in both the run and passing game. He has a touchdown catch in each of the Owls win this season. His goal after football is to run a development/recruitment center in Europe to help more athletes get on the radar of U.S. colleges.

James Faminu, an offensive lineman, is a graduate student from London, England. He previously played at the University of Houston before transferring to Temple. He was the only student from England to go D1 in the class of 2019, so it means a lot to him to represent both Temple and his native country. As more and more British students move over each year, he proud to show that it is achievable. The desire to work for what they have is a distinctive trait shared by all international players. Faminu mentions that it was a difficult process to get to this point, and there isn't a college athletic system like this in Europe. He believes that they have an advantage because they have to work just a little bit harder.

Ben Osueke, a senior cornerback, began his collegiate football career at Blinn Junior College in Texas and is currently in his second year at Temple. Originally born in Nigeria, where American football is considered an afterthought, Osueke was focused on turning his dreams into a reality, even if it seemed unrealistic. When asked what playing college football meant to him, he said that he felt a great feeling of pride from playing for his friends and relatives back home. He is especially thankful for the new experience that Temple has given him, which has allowed him to create a second family, surrounded by his brothers. The family that Temple Football has given him is something that he does not take for granted, and he's grateful that they took him in. Osueke has participated in 19 of 20 games since moving to North Philadelphia over two years ago, recording 36 tackles during that time.

Dante Atton, a sophomore punter, hails from Australia, popularly known as Down Under. After attending St. Francis Xavier College High, he committed to Temple University, where he had a standout season in his football debut. Although he had never punted a football in a football game before opening day in 2023, he has been the Owls only punter since that time. People aren't as kind here, he says when talking about the main cultural differences between Australia and the U.S., but he found his brothers, and that's all that matters. Atton holds family, love, and trust in high regard. Not only is it an accomplishment for him to play for Temple, but it is also an accomplishment for everyone who witnessed his journey. With every play, he demonstrates his love for making his family proud and serving as an example for his younger relatives. Since most international players are older, he thinks they give the team a sense of maturity.

Temple's offensive line is extremely diverse, with four players from outside the United State including Canada, Tonga, and Sweden. Melvin Siani, a redshirt freshman, is originally from Ontario, Canada. He was a member of the 2023 recruiting class and played in his first game against Akron in week one, started as left tackle for the first time against SMU, and eventually redshirted. Before sitting at UConn due to an injury, he earned the position as the starting right tackle and started games 1–5. Siani is appreciative of the responsibility that Temple has given him; he refers to it as a chip on his shoulder. He takes pride in representing the Owls, and it shows within his fluidity on and off of the field. He says that being an international player adds more perspective to the team, as players have different views of life based off of their cultures and upbringings.

Also from Canada is true freshman Davray Venu, who hails from Montreal. In high school, he played offensive line for John Abbott College in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec. He received the RSEQ/Quebec offensive lineman of the year award not once, but twice! He transferred there from St. Thomas High in Pointe-Claire, Quebec, where he trained under head coach Marc Faubert as an offensive and defensive lineman. He again received lineman of the year awards not once, but twice. Football is really prominent where he's from, and he's just grateful to have earned the opportunity to play for an FBS school. He hopes people see his commitment and dedication to the process and wants to be an inspiration to the kids back home because they can do it as well.

Linus Lindberg is a junior from Karlskoga, Sweden, who has provided lots of depth for the Temple offense. He played two seasons at the College of the Canyons in San Clarita, California, where he played defensive tackle as a freshman before he was moved to offensive tackle during his freshman year. The adjustment has been a bit different than he expected, but nothing that he couldn't handle. The team took him in and made him feel like a member of the family; folks are far more accepting than they were back home. He hopes that people at home will see him and realize that they can pursue their aspirations because playing at Temple means a lot to him.

Although he grew up in a different part of the world, Mausa Palu shares many experiences with Lindberg. Palu grew up in Fasimoeafi Nuku'alofa, Tonga, but began his college football journey at College of the Canyons as a teammate of Lindberg. Palu earned first-team all-conference in both 2022 and 2023. In high school, he played offensive line at Bishop Alemany and earned first-team All-California Conference during his sophomore year. It's encouraging to watch someone from a small island play FBS football, so Palu hopes that his family will see him and be inspired. He's appreciative for this opportunity and says that it's changed his outlook on life. There are certain steps that he took to get to this point, and now he wants to show everyone just what he's made of.

With Temple University being one of the most diverse college campuses, it makes sense that its football team reflects that same cultural tapestry.

Temple University Athletics

Growing the Game

Players Mentioned

Dante Atton

Peter Clarke

Daniel Evert

James Faminu

Linus Lindberg

Ben Osueke

Mausa Palu

Melvin Siani

Davray Venu

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