Temple University Athletics
AAC 2024 Kickoff Media Days
7.23.24 | Football
ARLINGTON, Texas – Student-athletes, head coaches, media and fans converged on the Loews Arlington in Arlington, Texas, as the American Athletic Conference held its 2024 Football Kickoff on Monday and Tuesday, July 22-23.
The first order of business was the announcement of the 2024 American Athletic Conference Preseason Media Poll. Memphis earned the most votes, including 23 of the 30 first place selections. UTSA (4), Tulane (2), South Florida, and Army (1), round out the top five. Florida Atlantic, East Carolina, Rice, North Texas, UAB, Navy, Tulsa, Charlotte, and Temple were selected in that order.
ESPN+ will carry two feeds from The American Football Kickoff, beginning at 9 a.m. ET on Tuesday, July 23. The press conferences of newly appointed Commissioner Tim Pernetti, hosting his first public event for the AAC, and The American's 14 head coaches will air on one feed. Coach Drayton is penciled in at 12:40 p.m. ET.
A second feed will include host Morgan Uber and analysts Rene Ingoglia and Taylor McHargue as well as reporter Brooke Kirchhofer for nearly six hours of live coverage. Temple's Stan Drayton, Demerick Morris and Dante Wright are expected on set from 12:20-12:40 p.m. ET.
Temple Preview
On Friday night, August 30, in Oklahoma, Temple begins the 2024 season, the third under head coach Stan Drayton. In his first two years, when he piloted the program to identical 3-9 records, Drayton fielded a team that was mostly inherited. The 2024 version is built much more to his core identity.
Having taken the reins on signing day in December 2021, Drayton now has the benefit of just a second full cycle of recruiting. There are just six players remaining from his initial roster and an influx of 101 new players under his recruitment or 89.4 percent.
It's not just the names that are different...size, speed, athleticism, and depth are also much better now than when Drayton took over.
Defense
Temple's defense has had its share of impact players over the past few years highlighted by Jordan Magee and Yvandy Rigby - two linebackers who are pursuing NFL careers, with the Commanders and Ravens, respectively. However, there has been little depth.
This offseason the Owls committed to running a base 4-3 and added size and length to the front line as well as an additional set of eyes for the unit. Drayton hired youthful Kevon Beckwith to coach the interior defensive line while returner Larry Knight concentrates on the ends.
Temple used all methods of recruiting to its advantage on defense adding a blend of experienced Power 5 players (Jaylen Lewis, Javier Morton, Cam'Ron Stewart, T.K. Wright), JUCO transfers, and freshman to the mix. This abundance of talent will help limit opposing offenses and create much needed turnovers for the Owls.
Offense
Like all football programs, all eyes will be on the quarterback position. Gone is incumbent starter E.J. Warner and there is an ongoing competition for the starting position that will likely take some twists and turns prior to opening day. Forest Brock, a 2023 JUCO transfer looked sharp in spring practice but 2024 transfer portal addition, Evan Simon (Rutgers) has been on his heels all along. Along the way, Tyler Douglas, Pat Keller, and Chris Dietrich have pushed the group to become better.
A priority for Temple was improving the offensive line. The centerpiece, literally and figuratively, is Grayson Mains. A redshirt sophomore transfer from South Carolina, Mains is the front-runner to win the center position and lead a group of young, strong, athletic 2023 recruits. Luke Watson started 11 games as a true freshman in 2023, while Eric King, Melvin Siani, and Kevin Terry redshirted. James Faminu and Wisdom Quarshie add experience, along with a quartet of JUCO transfers who will push for playing time.
The running back room also received a facelift adding transfers from Maryland (Antwan Littleton), Community College of San Francisco (Tyree Washington) and Lackawanna (Terrez Worthy). They join sophomore Joquez Smith in what looks to be the Owls most talented backfield in a decade.
Outlook
Coming off back-to-back 3-9 seasons and ending spring with an unsettled quarterback situation, it's not surprising that the prognosticators have Temple at the bottom of the American Athletic Conference in the preseason polls. However, the 2024 Temple Owls are not similar in makeup to the 2022-23 editions. Drayton has finally put his stamp on the Owls and the roster is much more talented and deeper. The results will be measured on the field in 2024.
The first order of business was the announcement of the 2024 American Athletic Conference Preseason Media Poll. Memphis earned the most votes, including 23 of the 30 first place selections. UTSA (4), Tulane (2), South Florida, and Army (1), round out the top five. Florida Atlantic, East Carolina, Rice, North Texas, UAB, Navy, Tulsa, Charlotte, and Temple were selected in that order.
ESPN+ will carry two feeds from The American Football Kickoff, beginning at 9 a.m. ET on Tuesday, July 23. The press conferences of newly appointed Commissioner Tim Pernetti, hosting his first public event for the AAC, and The American's 14 head coaches will air on one feed. Coach Drayton is penciled in at 12:40 p.m. ET.
A second feed will include host Morgan Uber and analysts Rene Ingoglia and Taylor McHargue as well as reporter Brooke Kirchhofer for nearly six hours of live coverage. Temple's Stan Drayton, Demerick Morris and Dante Wright are expected on set from 12:20-12:40 p.m. ET.
Temple Preview
On Friday night, August 30, in Oklahoma, Temple begins the 2024 season, the third under head coach Stan Drayton. In his first two years, when he piloted the program to identical 3-9 records, Drayton fielded a team that was mostly inherited. The 2024 version is built much more to his core identity.
Having taken the reins on signing day in December 2021, Drayton now has the benefit of just a second full cycle of recruiting. There are just six players remaining from his initial roster and an influx of 101 new players under his recruitment or 89.4 percent.
It's not just the names that are different...size, speed, athleticism, and depth are also much better now than when Drayton took over.
Defense
Temple's defense has had its share of impact players over the past few years highlighted by Jordan Magee and Yvandy Rigby - two linebackers who are pursuing NFL careers, with the Commanders and Ravens, respectively. However, there has been little depth.
This offseason the Owls committed to running a base 4-3 and added size and length to the front line as well as an additional set of eyes for the unit. Drayton hired youthful Kevon Beckwith to coach the interior defensive line while returner Larry Knight concentrates on the ends.
Temple used all methods of recruiting to its advantage on defense adding a blend of experienced Power 5 players (Jaylen Lewis, Javier Morton, Cam'Ron Stewart, T.K. Wright), JUCO transfers, and freshman to the mix. This abundance of talent will help limit opposing offenses and create much needed turnovers for the Owls.
Offense
Like all football programs, all eyes will be on the quarterback position. Gone is incumbent starter E.J. Warner and there is an ongoing competition for the starting position that will likely take some twists and turns prior to opening day. Forest Brock, a 2023 JUCO transfer looked sharp in spring practice but 2024 transfer portal addition, Evan Simon (Rutgers) has been on his heels all along. Along the way, Tyler Douglas, Pat Keller, and Chris Dietrich have pushed the group to become better.
A priority for Temple was improving the offensive line. The centerpiece, literally and figuratively, is Grayson Mains. A redshirt sophomore transfer from South Carolina, Mains is the front-runner to win the center position and lead a group of young, strong, athletic 2023 recruits. Luke Watson started 11 games as a true freshman in 2023, while Eric King, Melvin Siani, and Kevin Terry redshirted. James Faminu and Wisdom Quarshie add experience, along with a quartet of JUCO transfers who will push for playing time.
The running back room also received a facelift adding transfers from Maryland (Antwan Littleton), Community College of San Francisco (Tyree Washington) and Lackawanna (Terrez Worthy). They join sophomore Joquez Smith in what looks to be the Owls most talented backfield in a decade.
Outlook
Coming off back-to-back 3-9 seasons and ending spring with an unsettled quarterback situation, it's not surprising that the prognosticators have Temple at the bottom of the American Athletic Conference in the preseason polls. However, the 2024 Temple Owls are not similar in makeup to the 2022-23 editions. Drayton has finally put his stamp on the Owls and the roster is much more talented and deeper. The results will be measured on the field in 2024.
Players Mentioned
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CB
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LB
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OL
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DL
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SAF
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OL
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LB
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OL
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QB
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RB
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DE
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OL
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QB
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OL
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RB
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WR
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LB
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