Temple University Athletics
From London to the Linc: Peter Clarke’s Story So Far
10.3.25 | Football
When Peter Clarke lines up at tight end for Temple University, he carries more than pads and a playbook onto the field – he carries a journey that began thousands of miles away in London, England. Clarke's introduction to American football came not through Friday night lights, but through JagTag, a flag football program run by the Jacksonville Jaguars at his middle and high school. From there, he joined the London Warriors, a club that gave him a stronger taste of the game's physical demands.
The turning point came when the NFL launched its Academy in London, a project designed to send international talent to Division I football programs here in the States. "I received a number of scholarships there," Clarke recalled. "I ended up picking Temple, and that's how I got here."
For Clarke, the choice was about more than football. "Coming from London, coming from a different continent, a different part of the world, I didn't want cultural changes to hold me back," he said. "I really wanted to go to an inner city school, so I didn't have to worry about that as much and I could focus on football. When I took my visit to Temple, it was exactly what I wanted it to be."
That decision has paid off. In just a few seasons, Clarke has gone from a lanky prospect to a 260-pound weapon. "I came here, I was tall, but I wasn't that big, right? I was 220, 225. Now I'm 260, 265. The biggest difference is the speed and physicality of the game. Playing here has pushed me to play faster, stronger, and smarter."
His development shows on the field. Clarke's highlight moment so far came in Temple's 2025 season opener against UMass. "That first touchdown against UMass," he said. "The first touchdown for Temple, setting the tone for the season, setting the tone for the game, and getting our first road win in a few years. That touchdown meant a lot to me, and it meant a lot to the team."
He's not doing it alone. Clarke credits his chemistry with quarterback Evan Simon as a key piece of his success. "Whenever he's in trouble, he finds me at the back of the end zone, and just throws it really high, where no one else can get it but me, and good stuff happens."
As important as stats and highlights are, Clarke grounds himself through both faith and preparation. "I'm a religious guy, a spiritual guy, so I like to pray and just reflect. I believe confidence comes from the body of work that you put in," he explained. "We're out here every day working hard, meeting as players, meeting with coaches. That's what allows me to be confident on game day."
This season, confidence has been a collective effort. The Owls are competing under new head coach K.C. Keeler, who arrived in January with a reputation as a program builder. Clarke has been quick to credit the coach for clear communication and player buy-in. "Adjusting to him and his coaching style was great – very accommodating person, great coach, very direct on how he wants things done, and that's why we've had some of the results we've had," Clarke said.
Coach Keeler, for his part, emphasizes trust. "I met with every player in the first four and a half days, and I wanted to hear their stories," he said. "I think when you give someone loyalty, they give you loyalty back. I think that's what I got."
That foundation was evident in the season-opening win over UMass, which Clarke described as "a culture-changing win." The momentum carried into the following week against Howard, where Temple rushed for over 300 yards – something Clarke couldn't recall happening in years. "The confidence of our offensive line, the confidence of our offense in general just began to grow and thrive," he said.
And as the Owls head into conference play, Clarke embodies both the personal and collective growth of the program. From flag football in London to Division I Saturdays in Philadelphia, his journey is a reminder that football is more than a game – it's about fit, family, and the fight to build something bigger than yourself.
