Temple University Athletics
Temple Football Add 22 to the 2026 Roster Through Transfer Portal
1.20.26 | Football
PHILADELPHIA – The Temple Owls have added 22 players to the 2026 roster through the Transfer Portal that opened on January 2.
The NCAA has adjusted the transfer portal rules for 2026. The window is now open just once per year, from January 2 through January 16 in 2026.
All players have enrolled at Temple and will take part in spring practices. They will be joined by 23 early enrollees who joined the team in December. Eleven players from the recruiting class of 2026 will join the team this June.
Of the 23 players who joined through the transfer portal…
13 have been members of Power 4 programs
15 call Temple's Northeast footprint home
10 play offense; 14 play defense
22 are over 6-feet tall
The have combined to play 320 college football games
They have collectively scored 28 college touchdowns
Zach Aamland
OL 6-7, 300
South Brunswick, NJ / Rutgers
2026 (Redshirt Junior, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January … 2025 (Redshirt Sophomore, Rutgers): Made collegiate debut against Norfolk State … 2024 (Redshirt Freshman, Rutgers): Did not see game action … 2023 (Freshman, Rutgers): Did not see game action … redshirted … High School: A four-year letterwinner at offensive line for head coach Todd Smith at The Hun School … named Mid-Atlantic Prep League first-team Offense, New Jersey Prep A First-Team Offense and Northeast Prep League first-team Offense in 2022 … ranked the No. 22 prospect in New Jersey by Rivals, No. 23 by 247Sports and No. 27 by ESPN and On3 … tabbed the No. 99 offensive tackle recruit by ESPN … Personal: Born Zach Aamland … labor and employment relations major.
Kaleb Artis
DL 6-4, 315
Westbury, NY/ Penn State
2026 (Redshirt Junior, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January … 2025 (Redshirt Junior, Penn State): Did not see regular season action due to injury … 2024 (Redshirt Sophomore, Penn State): Played in 11 games … totaled four tackles, and one tackle-for-loss … 2023 (Redshirt Freshman, Penn State): Appeared in all 13 games, primarily on the field goal unit ... posted three tackles, a half-tackle for loss and a quarterback hurry ... named Developmental Squad Defensive Player of the Week (Rutgers) … had season-high two tackles vs. UMass … 2022 (Freshman, Penn State): Appeared in two games ... selected Developmental Squad Defensive Player of the Week (Maryland) … reshirted … High School: Was a four-year team captain at St. Francis Prep for head coach Rich Carroll ... ... tallied 2.5 sacks as a senior and two sacks and two forced fumbles as a junior ... recorded 52 tackles and 19.0 tackles for loss as a sophomore ... ranked as the No. 2 prospect in New York by 247Sports and No. 6 prospect in the state by On3 ... tabbed as the No. 3 recruit in New York by ESPN and No. 2 prospect in New York and No. 31 defensive tackle by Rivals … Personal: Born Kaleb Michael Artis ... enjoys cars as a hobby.
Sam Brown
RB 6-1, 215
Philadelphia, PA / Rutgers
2026 (Redshirt Senior, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January … 2025 (Senior, Rutgers): Played in four games and was 18-38 rushing ... rushed seven times at No. 1 Ohio State ... named to the Academic All-Big Ten list for the third time ... 2024 (Junior, Rutgers): Played in five games ... rushed 40 times for 201 yards and three touchdowns ... added a 34-yard receiving score ... ripped off a 37-yard touchdown run in win over Washington ... rushed for two touchdowns and 60 yards at Virginia Tech ... scored first career receiving touchdown versus Howard ... named to the Academic All-Big Ten list for the second time ... 2023 (Sophomore, Rutgers): Played in 12 games ... totaled 63 carries for 216 yards and two touchdowns ... added two receptions for 29 yards ... collected a season-high 38 rushing yards on 10 carries in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl win over Miami ... rushed for a touchdown and had a 27-yard reception in return to the field versus Temple … named to the Academic All-Big Ten list ... 2022 (Freshman, Rutgers): Played in seven games with one start at running back ... recorded 86 carries ... placed second on the team with 374 rushing yards ... led the offense with three rushing touchdowns ... added four receptions for 17 yards ... earned first career start and rushed for 101 yards on 28 carries with go-ahead touchdown in the win over Indiana ... marked the most carries by a Scarlet Knight in a Big Ten game and most by a Rutgers true freshman since 2001 ... registered 79 yards on 15 carries at No. 3 Ohio State ... made collegiate debut at Boston College … High School: Played running back at La Salle College High for head coach John Steinmetz … helped the Explorers to a 9-2 record and a playoff appearance as a senior … second team all-state as a junior, helping team to a 6-1 record during the COVID-19-shortened campaign … the No. 6-rated all-purpose back in the country and No. 7 overall signee from Pennsylvania by Rivals … rated the No. 11 recruit from the Keystone State, the No. 32 running back in the nation by 247Sports … No. 14 in Pennsylvania by ESPN … also competed in basketball at La Salle and averaged 14.8 points per game as a junior during the 2020-21 season … Personal: Born Sam Brown … criminal justice major.
Cookie Desiderio
LB 6-1, 225
Somerville, NJ / UMass
2026 (Redshirt Senior, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January ... 2025 (Redshirt Junior, UMass): … 2024 (Redshirt Sophomore, UMass): Competed in two games as a fullback for the Minutemen … accumulated 20 yards rushing on eight attempts … caught one pass for a total of two yards … 2023 (Redshirt Freshman, UMass): … 2022 (Freshman, Tulsa): Did not see game action … redshirted … High School: Played at IMG Academy in 2021 … was a four-year prep starter before his year at IMG … played his final two seasons at Somerville High … played his first two prep seasons at Bernards High … was the 2020 Big Central Conference Player of the Year … his team was crowned national champion in 2020 by MaxPreps after completing an 8-0 season … was named to the USA Today Network all-New Jersey Team in 2020 … rushed for a state-high 1,569 yards and 26 touchdowns as a senior … also caught 14 passes for 310 yards and two TDs … finished his prep career with 5,004 rushing yards and 73 touchdowns … rushed for over 100 yards in each game his senior season, including a high of 301 yards in a victory over Rahway … earned first-team all-state honors by NJ.com … topped the 100-yard mark in 15 of his 19 games at Somerville to help the Pioneers compile a 17-2 mark … Personal: Born Grant Desiderio but goes by Cookie.
JaMair Diaz
OLB 6-1, 245
Passaic, NJ / Sam Houston
2026 (Redshirt Junior, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January … 2025 (Junior, Sam Houston State): Played in four games and totaled 14 tackles … returned a fumble recovery 43 yards in his debut at Western Kentucky … had one sack among a season-high 6 tackles at Hawaii … 2024 (Sophomore, Glenville State): Put together a breakout sophomore season ... named second team All-America by Associated Press and AFCA … earned first team All-America honors by Don Hansen ... D2Football.com Elite 100 Team ... Mountain East Conference Defensive Player of the Year ... All-MEC first team selection ... Cliff Harris Award finalist .... started all 11 games, leading the team with 54 total tackles, including 21.0 tackles for loss and 12.0 sacks ... also recorded 3 quarterback hurries, 2 fumble recoveries, 3 forced fumbles, and 1 pass breakup ... his 21.0 tackles for loss led all of NCAA Division II … 2023 (Freshman, Glenville State): Played in all 10 games as a true freshman ... closed the season with 22 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, four sacks and a forced fumble ... recorded at least one tackle in nine of the 10 contests he played in ... had four tackles against both Concord and UNC Pembroke, adding 1.5 TFL in the Concord matchup ... finished with three tackles at both West Virginia State and Frostburg State ... notched two tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble against Notre Dame College … Prep School: Played at Milford Academy in New Berlin, N.Y. for a post-grad year ... finished the season with 42 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and one forced fumble ...High School: Attended Passaic (N.J.) High where he was a first team all-county selection three times … Personal: Born JaMair Diaz.
Kolin Dinkins
SAF 6-2, 200
Wexford, PA / Penn State
2026 (Redshirt Senior, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January … 2025 (Redshirt Junior, Penn State): Played in 13 games and collected eight tackles, all in the first three games … 2024 (Redshirt Sophomore, Penn State): Appeared 15 games, primarily on special teams ... made seven tackles (6 solo) ... named the coaching staff's Developmental Squad Defensive Player of the Week (Ohio State) … 2023 (Redshirt Freshman, Penn State): Earned the team's Outstanding Run-On Award along with Dominic Rulli … appeared in 12 games on special teams ... earned the coaching staff's Developmental Squad Defensive Player of the Week three times (Illinois, UMass, Michigan) … 2022 (Freshman, Penn State): Redshirted … High School: Three-year letterman at North Allegheny for head coach Art Walker...was a part of three WPIAL semifinals teams ... posted 44 tackles (31 solo) and six tackles for loss as a senior ... recorded two interceptions on defense his junior season ... posted 25 carries for 155 yards and three touchdowns during sophomore campaign ... also lettered in basketball and track and field ... was a Big 56 Basketball All-Section Class 6A first team selection as a senior ... also won a gold medal in the long jump at the WPIAL Class AAA Track and Field Championships as senior, while also finishing fourth in high jump … Personal: Born Kolin Michael Dinkins ... father, Darnell, played tight end for nine years in the NFL (2001-09; Giants, Ravens, Browns, Saints) and three years at the University of Pittsburgh (1997-99) ...brother, Khalil, is a tight end on the Penn State Football team ... sister, Kayla, was a middle hitter on the Tulane women's volleyball team and was a two-time first-team All-AAC honoree ... enjoys reading manga, watching movies, self-improvement and boxing ... would like to work in entrepreneurship by building his brand using intellectual influences and creating financial freedom … accounting major.
Deshon Dodson
DL 6-3, 270
Woodlyn, PA / Albany
2026 (Sophomore, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January … 2025 (Freshman, Albany): Played 12 games and racked up 27 tackles (9 solos), 2.5 TFLs and 0.5 sacks … best game was at Delaware State when he had season highs in tackles (9) and TFLs (1.5) … High School: Played defensive line at Neumann Goretti in Philadelphia … 2023-24 Most Valuable Player and first team Defensive All-Catholic … also played basketball … Personal: Born Deshon Dodson.
Lamar Fairfax
DL 6-1, 250
Clinton Township, MI / Memphis
2026 (Redshirt Freshman, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January … 2025 (Freshman, Memphis): Did not see game action … redshirted … High School: Played defensive line at Belleville … recorded 78 total tackles and four sacks as a junior and senior … as a senior, helped Belleville reach the quarterfinals of the MHSAA Div-1 playoffs … ranked as the No. 33 player in the state of Michigan … Personal: Born Lamar Fairfax Jr.
Jayce Freeman
WR 6-4, 225
Salisbury, MD / Stony Brook
2026 (Redshirt Senior, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January … 2025 (Redshirt Junior, Stony Brook): Played in 10 games … caught 41 passes for 774 yards and eight touchdowns … had three games of 100+ receiving yards – at Lindenwood (178), NC A&T (140), and at Villanova (175) …also had season high 9 catches and two TDs at Lindenwood … returned 13 kickoffs for 354 yards including a 95-yard TD at Monmouth … 2024 (Redshirt Sophomore, Stony Brook): Appeared in 11 of 12 games for the Seawolves … led the team with 506 receiving yards on 23 catches … ranked third in the FCS and first in program history with 22.0 yards per catch … led the team and finished ninth in the CAA with six receiving touchdowns, the most by a Seawolf since 2018 … caught a touchdown in five straight games from 10/19 to 11/16… logged three catches for 101 yards and a touchdown vs. William & Mary … 2023 (Redshirt Freshman, Stony Brook): Hauled in 24 receptions for 388 yards and one touchdown in his first full season at wide receiver … turned in a 98-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown against New Hampshire (10/21); marked the longest passing play and second-longest offensive play in Stony Brook history … had 115 receiving yards against New Hampshire combining with Anthony Johnson (101 yards) to become Stony Brook's seventh 100-yard wide receiver duo and first since 2014 against UNH … 2022 (Freshman, Stony Brook): Appeared in four games throughout the season … redshirted … High School: Played wide receiver, outside linebacker, defensive end, cornerback, and safety under head coach Isaiah Taylor at Wicomico… 2021 all-state selection as an outside linebacker and two-time all-conference selection at wide receiver and linebacker (2020, 2021) … captain of football and basketball teams… totaled 29 receptions, 587 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns, along with 56 tackles, five tackles for loss, six interceptions, one interception returned for touchdown, three kick return touchdowns and two punt return touchdowns as a senior in 2021… also ran track … Personal: Born Jayce Freeman.
Quante Gillians
DL 6-3, 290
Rochester, NY / Syracuse
2026 (Redshirt Freshman, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January … 2025 (Freshman, Syracuse): Played in two games as a true freshman and made one tackle … made his collegiate debut against Colgate … made his first career tackle vs. North Carolina … redshirted … High School: Played defensive line and tight end at Aquinas Institute for head coach Maurice Jackson … collected 29.5 career sacks … Personal: Born Quante Gillians.
Jaeden Gould
SAF 6-2, 210
Somerset, NJ / UCF
2026 (Redshirt Senior, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January … 2025 (Redshirt Junior, UCF): Appeared in all 12 games for the Knights, tallying five tackles, three of which were solo … blocked a punt and had season-high two tackles against NC A&T … 2024 (Redshirt Sophomore, Syracuse): Appeared in eight games, making 11 tackles on the season … set a new career high with five tackles at Pitt … 2023 (Redshirt Freshman, Syracuse): Appeared in every game, with one start at safety … made 19 tackles, had one interception and a pass breakup on the season … made his school debut vs. Colgate, making two tackles … intercepted his first collegiate pass and returned it 17 yards against Army … in his first collegiate start, made a career-high five tackles (three solo) and broke up a pass vs. Boston College … had three solo tackles in the RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl vs. South Florida … 2022 (Freshman, Nebraska): Played in one game, making his collegiate debut against No. 6 Oklahoma … named to Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll in Spring 2022 … High School: Played defensive back for Bergen Catholic under head coach Vito Campanile … led Bergen Catholic to a 12-0 record and the Group A New Jersey State Championship and a top-4 national ranking … 2021 New Jersey High School Player of the Year by MaxPreps … as a senior, recorded four interceptions, 27 tackles and two pass breakups en route to earning all-state honors … had 13 tackles and four pass breakups in six games as a junior … ranked as one of the top 25 defensive back prospects and one of the top 200 overall players in the country by 247 Sports, which also ranked him as the No. 2 player in New Jersey … Personal: Born Jaeden Gould.
Kevin Hornbeak
DL 6-2, 295
Toledo, OH / Tiffin
2026 (Senior, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January … 2025 (Junior, Tiffin): Played in 11 games … notched 16 tackles (11 solos), along with 6.5 TFLs and 3.5 sacks … 2024 (Sophomore, Tiffin): Played in all 12 games and recorded 13 total tackles with 9 solo ... had 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack, 3 QB hurries, one forced fumble, and blocked one kick … 2023 (Freshman, Tiffin): …High School: Played defensive line at Whitmer High … earned all-conference, all-region, and All Ohio ... Personal: Born Kevin Hornbeak Jr. … also participated as a ___ on Tiffin's track and field team ... finance and accounting major.
Jaylon Joseph
OLB 6-2, 235
Houston, TX / Lafayette
2026 (Senior, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January … 2025 (Junior, Lafayette): Played in 12 games … totaled 23 tackles (15 solos), 7.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles … had a stretch of four games where he had 2+ sacks in three of the four contests … season-best 2.5 sacks and six tackles against Fordham … 2024 (Sophomore, Lafayette): Selected to the Preseason All-Patriot League Team ... saw action in all 12 games, making 11 starts at defensive tackle … collected 20 tackles and seven tackles for loss … managed one sack against Bucknell ... recorded his first collegiate interception which he returned for a pick-six against Marist ... recorded at least two tackles in five games … 2023 (Freshman, Lafayette): Finalist for the Jerry Rice Award, which is given to the top freshman in the FCS … named an All-Patriot League second-team selection and was the 12th player in Lafayette history to garner Patriot League Rookie of the Year status … named to the Stats Perform Freshman All-America Team … played in all 12 games, making 11 starts at defensive end in his rookie campaign … made 28 stops during the season for 5.5 TFL including seven games when he had three or more tackles … tallied four sacks, setting his opponents back 28 yards … had 10 quarterback hurries, including two against Bucknell and Delaware … named Patriot League Rookie of the Week after recording three tackles, a half sack and a quarterback hurry against Columbia … blocked a field goal against Colgate … High School: Played defensive end, outside linebacker and wide receiver in three varsity seasons at North Shore … two-time all-district selection … finished senior season with 61 tackles, 13.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, 16 QB hurries an interception and a fumble recovery … helped lead team to a 15-1 mark and a Class 6A state championship game appearance … program won state titles in 2015, 2018, 2019 and 2021 … honor roll student ... Personal: Born Jaylon Joseph.
Saboor Karriem
SAF 6-3, 210
West Orange, NJ / Illinois
2026 (Senior, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January … 2025 (Junior, Illinois): Played in 12 games … saw action on special teams in 11 games and played defensive snaps in seven regular-season contests … 19 total tackles (15 solo) … career-high 10 tackles (seven solo) in win vs. #21 USC … 2024 (Sophomore, Illinois): Played in 12 games with one start … seven tackles (four solo) on the season … recorded career-high five tackles (two solo) at #1 Oregon … 2023 (Freshman, Illinois): Played in seven games … made college debut with one tackle and three PBUs vs. FAU … High School: Three-year letterwinner as defensive back and wide receiver for head coach Darnell Grant at West Orange (N.J.) High … as a senior, colected 45 tackles, two interceptions, one return for a touchdown, and one blocked kick and set West Orange single-season records in receptions (63), receiving yards (1,001), and receiving touchdowns (15) … scored at least one touchdown in 10 of 12 games as a senior … 2022 USA Today All-New Jersey first team … position ranks: #4 (On3), #65 (ESPN), #72 (Rivals), #97 (247) … state ranks: #2 (On3), #8 (Rivals), #16 (ESPN), #19 (247) … also played basketball, lacrosse and track in high school … High honor roll … Personal: Born Saboor Karriem … pronounced: suh-BOR kuh-REEM … communications major.
Ransom McDermott
OL 6-8, 305
Noblesville, IN / Louisville
2026 (Redshirt Sophomore, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January … 2025 (Redshirt Freshman, Louisville): Saw action in the season opener against Eastern Kentucky … 2024 (Freshman, Louisville): Made his collegiate debut in the season opener against Austin Peay … reshirted … High School: Played offensive tackle for head coach Dave Sharpe at Noblesville (Ill.) High … as a senior, helped the Millers run for 2,836 yards and 29 touchdowns with an average of 5.8 yards per carry… ranked as the No. 105 offensive tackle nationally and No. 17 player in Indiana according to 247Sports Composite … chose Louisville over Kentucky, Purdue, Indiana, Cincinnati, West Virginia and Boston College … Personal: Born Ransom McDermott … management major.
Joey Schlaffer
TE 6-5, 225
Reading, PA / Penn State
2026 (Redshirt Junior, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January … 2025 (Redshirt Sophomore, Penn State): Played in three games … made first career reception vs. Villanova for a 19-yard touchdown … 2024 (Redshirt Freshman, Penn State): Appeared in four games ... named the coaching staff's Developmental Squad Offensive Player of the Week (Illinios) ... 2023 (Freshman, Penn State): Redshirted … High School: Started four years at tight end at Exeter Township for head coach Matt Bauer ... earned all-state honors in 2020, 2021 and 2022 ... collected Lancaster Lebanon all-conference selections all four years ... holds all-time county records in receiving yards (2,493) and receiving touchdowns (28) ... served as a team captain as a senior and led Exeter Township to a 12-1 record and a conference title when he caught 38 passes for 879 yards and nine touchdowns while rushing for 246 yards and three touchdowns and completing two passes for 43 yards ... helped the Eagles to a 10-4 record and district title as a junior when he hauled in 48 receptions for 834 yards and nine touchdowns … guided Exeter Township to a 6-2 record as a sophomore recording 19 catches for 444 yards and five touchdowns … as a freshman, registered 15 receptions for 336 yards and five touchdowns while the team posted a 9-4 record ... ranked as the No. 187 overall prospect, No. 10 tight end and No. 4 prospect in Pennsylvania by On3 ... recognized as the No. 214 overall prospect, No. 10 tight end and No. 11 prospect in Pennsylvania by Rivals ... rated as the No. 48 tight end and No. 20 prospect in Pennsylvania by 247Sports ... tabbed as the No. 15 tight end and No. 11 player in the state by ESPN ... was a three-year letterwinner in basketball, earning all-county honors in 2021 ... Personal: Born Joey Aiden Schlaffer ... brother, Michal Menet, played offensive line at Penn State (2017-21) and in the NFL (Cardinals, Packers, Falcons).
Ajani Sheppard
QB 6-2, 230
Bronx, NY / Washington State
2026 (Redshirt Junior, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January … 2025 (Redshirt Sophomore, Washington State): Did not appear in a game … 2024 (Redshirt Freshman, Rutgers): Played in four games ... rushed three times for 24 yards ... contributed a 20-yard rush against Wisconsin ... took snaps versus Akron and Howard … 2023 (Freshman, Rutgers): Played in one game ... completed both passing attempts for 23 yards and added a 10-yard carry in collegiate debut against Wagner … High School: Played quarterback at Iona Prep for head coach Joe Spagnola … led the Gaels to a 9-3 record, a 6-1 mark in Catholic AAA league action and a NYCCHSFL AAA title game appearance as a senior in 2022 … finished senior season 150-of-242 for 2,393 yards and 21 touchdowns and added 142 carries for 1,291 yards and 11 scores on the ground … threw for 2,357 yards and 22 touchdowns and rushed for 1,041 yards and 16 scores as a junior … CHSFL first team all-state Class AA Co-Player of the Year by the New York Sportswriters Association as a junior … No. 6 overall prospect in New York by ESPN … first Power 5 quarterback signee from Westchester County in 28 years … Personal: Born Ajani Sheppard.
Jaxon Smolik
QB 6-1, 205
Van Meter, IA / Penn State
2026 (Redshirt Sophomore, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January … 2025 (Redshirt Freshman, Penn State): Played in three games … took victory formation snaps in wins vs. Nevada and Villanova … rushed four times for three yards at Iowa … 2024 (Redshirt Freshman, Penn State): Missed the season due to an injury … 2023 (Freshman, Penn State): Made his collegiate debut against Delaware in his only action of the season … redshirted … High School: Played quarterback for head coach Tom Wilson at Dowling Catholic … as a senior, captained Dowling Catholic to a 10-2 record and an appearance in the state semifinals while earning 5A all-state honors, all-conference and collecting Academic all-state honors as a senior … in 2022, completed 64 percent of his passes for 1,967 yards and 19 touchdowns ... as a junior, helped the Maroon to a 7-4 record and a quarterfinals appearance completing 65 percent of his passes for 959 yards and nine touchdowns ... as a sophomore, guided Dowling Catholic to an 8-2 mark and a semifinals appearance throwing for 794 yards and six touchdowns, while completing 57-of-96 passes … ranked as the No. 24 quarterback in the class and No. 6 prospect in Iowa by Rivals. .. ranked as the No. 29 quarterback and No. 8 prospect in Iowa by ESPN ... rated as the No. 33 quarterback and the No. 10 prospect in Iowa by 247Sports ... tabbed as the No. 36 quarterback and No. 9 player in Iowa by On3 ... also played baseball, as a first baseman and pitcher … Personal: Born Jaxon James Smolik ... father, Mark, played football at South Dakota ... brother, Cameron, played football at Dordt University ... hobbies include fishing and hunting.
Reis Stocksdale
WR 5-10, 185
Morrow, OH/ Bowling Green
2026 (Redshirt Senior, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January … 2025 (Redshirt Senior, Bowling Green): Appeared in 11 games … totaled 23 yards on four receptions on the season … notched a 17-yard reception against Lafayette … caught two passes for nine yards against Cincinnati … 2024 (Redshirt Junior, Ohio State): Member of the 2024 National Championship squad … is a two-time OSU Scholar-Athlete and an Academic All-Big Ten Conference honoree … 2023 (Redshirt Sophomore, Ohio State): Missed the 2023 season with an injury … 2022 (Redshirt Freshman, Ohio State): Appeared in six games (Toledo, Wisconsin, Rutgers, Michigan State, Iowa and Indiana) … experienced his first collegiate action vs. Toledo … caught his first collegiate pass vs. Michigan State, covering 12 yards … lettered … 2021 (Freshman, Ohio State): Redshirted … High School: A four-year starting receiver at Little Miami High for head coach Caleb Jones … appeared in the state playoffs in each of his final three seasons … hauled in 38 receptions as a senior in 2020 for nearly 900 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns earning first-team All-Ohio by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association … first team all-conference and second-team all-district … amassed 1,107 all-purpose yards and accounted for 13 touchdowns … finished his career No. 2 in school history in receptions (104) for 2,046 yards and 31 TDs (most in school history) … Personal: Born Reis Stocksdale.
John Stone
OL 6-2, 300
Sewell, NJ / Rutgers
2026 (Redshirt Junior, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January … 2025 (Redshirt Sophomore, Rutgers): Played in all 12 games ... made collegiate debut versus Ohio … named to the Academic All-Big Ten list for the second time ... 2024 (Redshirt Freshman, Rutgers): Did not see game action ... named to the Academic All-Big Ten list … 2023 (Freshman, Rutgers): Did not see game action … redshirted … High School: Played offensive and defensive line at Washington Township for head coach Michael Schatzman … led the Minutemen to five wins in 2022 and an appearance in the NJSIAA South Jersey, Group V playoffs … helped the Minutemen rush for more than 2,000 yards and 24 touchdowns during senior season … registered 45 pancake blocks and graded out to a 95 percent block efficiency in 2022 … earned first team all-group and second team all-state by NJ.com, first team All-South Jersey by The Courier-Post, and second team all-state by USA Today … as a junior in 2021, earned first team all-division and second-team all-group pick by NJ.com … the No. 14 overall player in New Jersey by ESPN and the No. 16 by Rivals … a top-three interior lineman in the Garden State by 247Sports … … also a standout heavyweight wrestler at Washington Township and became an NJSIAA state qualifier as a junior in 2022 … Personal: Born John Stone … labor studies and employment relations major.
Kenedy Uzoma
WR 6-5, 210
Beltsville, MD / North Carolina
2026 (Redshirt Freshman, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January … 2025 (Freshman, North Carolina): Did not see game action … redshirted … High School: Played wide receiver at St. John's Catholic Prep … as a senior, caught 34 passes for 817 yards and 12 touchdowns on offense and recorded 24 tackles, 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles on defense … ranked the No. 33 recruit in the state of Maryland and the No. 60 athlete in the nation by 247Sports … Personal: Born Kenedy Uzoma.
Sam Wolfenden
LS 6-2, 245
Cave Creek, AZ / UNLV
2026 (Redshirt Freshman, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January … 2025 (Freshman, UNLV): A walk-on special teamer who did not see game action for the Rebels … High School: Played defensive end and long snapper for coach Christopher Dixon at Cactus Shadows High ... had two sacks on defense as a senior for the Falcons … Personal: Born Sam Wolfenden … business major.
The NCAA has adjusted the transfer portal rules for 2026. The window is now open just once per year, from January 2 through January 16 in 2026.
All players have enrolled at Temple and will take part in spring practices. They will be joined by 23 early enrollees who joined the team in December. Eleven players from the recruiting class of 2026 will join the team this June.
Of the 23 players who joined through the transfer portal…
13 have been members of Power 4 programs
15 call Temple's Northeast footprint home
10 play offense; 14 play defense
22 are over 6-feet tall
The have combined to play 320 college football games
They have collectively scored 28 college touchdowns
| Name | Pos | Yr | Ht | Wt | Hometown | Last School |
| Zach Aamland | OL | r-Jr | 6-7 | 300 | South Brunswick, NJ | Rutgers |
| Kaleb Artis | DL | r-Jr | 6-4 | 315 | Westbury, NY | Penn State |
| Sam Brown | RB | r-Jr | 6-1 | 215 | Philadelphia, PA | Rutgers |
| Cookie Desiderio | LB | r-Sr | 6-1 | 225 | Somerville, NJ | UMass |
| JaMair Diaz | OLB | r-Jr | 6-1 | 245 | Passaic, NJ | Sam Houston |
| Kolin Dinkins | SAF | r-Sr | 6-2 | 200 | Wexford, PA | Penn State |
| Deshon Dodson | DL | So | 6-3 | 270 | Woodlyn, PA | Albany |
| Lamar Fairfax | DL | r-Fr | 6-1 | 250 | Clinton Twp, MI | Memphis |
| Jayce Freeman | WR | r-Sr | 6-4 | 225 | Salisbury, MD | Stony Brook |
| Quante Gillians | DL | r-Fr | 6-3 | 290 | Rochester, NY | Syracuse |
| Jaeden Gould | SAF | r-Sr | 6-2 | 210 | Somerset, NJ | UCF |
| Kevin Hornbeak | DL | r-Sr | 6-2 | 295 | Toledo, OH | Tiffin |
| Jaylon Joseph | OLB | Sr | 6-2 | 235 | Houston, TX | Lafayette |
| Saboor Karriem | SAF | Sr | 6-3 | 210 | West Orange, NJ | Illinois |
| Ransom McDermott | OL | r-So | 6-8 | 305 | Noblesville, IN | Louisville |
| Joey Schlaffer | TE | r-Jr | 6-5 | 225 | Reading, PA | Penn State |
| Ajani Sheppard | QB | r-Jr | 6-2 | 230 | Bronx, NY | Washington State |
| Jaxon Smolik | QB | r-So | 6-1 | 205 | Van Meter, IA | Penn State |
| Reis Stocksdale | WR | r-Sr | 5-10 | 185 | Morrow, OH | Bowling Green |
| John Stone | OL | r-Jr | 6-2 | 300 | Sewell, NJ | Rutgers |
| Kenedy Uzoma | WR | r-Fr | 6-5 | 210 | Beltsville, MD | North Carolina |
| Sam Wolfenden | LS | r-Fr | 6-2 | 245 | Cave Creek, AZ | UNLV |
Zach Aamland
OL 6-7, 300
South Brunswick, NJ / Rutgers
2026 (Redshirt Junior, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January … 2025 (Redshirt Sophomore, Rutgers): Made collegiate debut against Norfolk State … 2024 (Redshirt Freshman, Rutgers): Did not see game action … 2023 (Freshman, Rutgers): Did not see game action … redshirted … High School: A four-year letterwinner at offensive line for head coach Todd Smith at The Hun School … named Mid-Atlantic Prep League first-team Offense, New Jersey Prep A First-Team Offense and Northeast Prep League first-team Offense in 2022 … ranked the No. 22 prospect in New Jersey by Rivals, No. 23 by 247Sports and No. 27 by ESPN and On3 … tabbed the No. 99 offensive tackle recruit by ESPN … Personal: Born Zach Aamland … labor and employment relations major.
Kaleb Artis
DL 6-4, 315
Westbury, NY/ Penn State
2026 (Redshirt Junior, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January … 2025 (Redshirt Junior, Penn State): Did not see regular season action due to injury … 2024 (Redshirt Sophomore, Penn State): Played in 11 games … totaled four tackles, and one tackle-for-loss … 2023 (Redshirt Freshman, Penn State): Appeared in all 13 games, primarily on the field goal unit ... posted three tackles, a half-tackle for loss and a quarterback hurry ... named Developmental Squad Defensive Player of the Week (Rutgers) … had season-high two tackles vs. UMass … 2022 (Freshman, Penn State): Appeared in two games ... selected Developmental Squad Defensive Player of the Week (Maryland) … reshirted … High School: Was a four-year team captain at St. Francis Prep for head coach Rich Carroll ... ... tallied 2.5 sacks as a senior and two sacks and two forced fumbles as a junior ... recorded 52 tackles and 19.0 tackles for loss as a sophomore ... ranked as the No. 2 prospect in New York by 247Sports and No. 6 prospect in the state by On3 ... tabbed as the No. 3 recruit in New York by ESPN and No. 2 prospect in New York and No. 31 defensive tackle by Rivals … Personal: Born Kaleb Michael Artis ... enjoys cars as a hobby.
Sam Brown
RB 6-1, 215
Philadelphia, PA / Rutgers
2026 (Redshirt Senior, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January … 2025 (Senior, Rutgers): Played in four games and was 18-38 rushing ... rushed seven times at No. 1 Ohio State ... named to the Academic All-Big Ten list for the third time ... 2024 (Junior, Rutgers): Played in five games ... rushed 40 times for 201 yards and three touchdowns ... added a 34-yard receiving score ... ripped off a 37-yard touchdown run in win over Washington ... rushed for two touchdowns and 60 yards at Virginia Tech ... scored first career receiving touchdown versus Howard ... named to the Academic All-Big Ten list for the second time ... 2023 (Sophomore, Rutgers): Played in 12 games ... totaled 63 carries for 216 yards and two touchdowns ... added two receptions for 29 yards ... collected a season-high 38 rushing yards on 10 carries in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl win over Miami ... rushed for a touchdown and had a 27-yard reception in return to the field versus Temple … named to the Academic All-Big Ten list ... 2022 (Freshman, Rutgers): Played in seven games with one start at running back ... recorded 86 carries ... placed second on the team with 374 rushing yards ... led the offense with three rushing touchdowns ... added four receptions for 17 yards ... earned first career start and rushed for 101 yards on 28 carries with go-ahead touchdown in the win over Indiana ... marked the most carries by a Scarlet Knight in a Big Ten game and most by a Rutgers true freshman since 2001 ... registered 79 yards on 15 carries at No. 3 Ohio State ... made collegiate debut at Boston College … High School: Played running back at La Salle College High for head coach John Steinmetz … helped the Explorers to a 9-2 record and a playoff appearance as a senior … second team all-state as a junior, helping team to a 6-1 record during the COVID-19-shortened campaign … the No. 6-rated all-purpose back in the country and No. 7 overall signee from Pennsylvania by Rivals … rated the No. 11 recruit from the Keystone State, the No. 32 running back in the nation by 247Sports … No. 14 in Pennsylvania by ESPN … also competed in basketball at La Salle and averaged 14.8 points per game as a junior during the 2020-21 season … Personal: Born Sam Brown … criminal justice major.
Cookie Desiderio
LB 6-1, 225
Somerville, NJ / UMass
2026 (Redshirt Senior, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January ... 2025 (Redshirt Junior, UMass): … 2024 (Redshirt Sophomore, UMass): Competed in two games as a fullback for the Minutemen … accumulated 20 yards rushing on eight attempts … caught one pass for a total of two yards … 2023 (Redshirt Freshman, UMass): … 2022 (Freshman, Tulsa): Did not see game action … redshirted … High School: Played at IMG Academy in 2021 … was a four-year prep starter before his year at IMG … played his final two seasons at Somerville High … played his first two prep seasons at Bernards High … was the 2020 Big Central Conference Player of the Year … his team was crowned national champion in 2020 by MaxPreps after completing an 8-0 season … was named to the USA Today Network all-New Jersey Team in 2020 … rushed for a state-high 1,569 yards and 26 touchdowns as a senior … also caught 14 passes for 310 yards and two TDs … finished his prep career with 5,004 rushing yards and 73 touchdowns … rushed for over 100 yards in each game his senior season, including a high of 301 yards in a victory over Rahway … earned first-team all-state honors by NJ.com … topped the 100-yard mark in 15 of his 19 games at Somerville to help the Pioneers compile a 17-2 mark … Personal: Born Grant Desiderio but goes by Cookie.
JaMair Diaz
OLB 6-1, 245
Passaic, NJ / Sam Houston
2026 (Redshirt Junior, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January … 2025 (Junior, Sam Houston State): Played in four games and totaled 14 tackles … returned a fumble recovery 43 yards in his debut at Western Kentucky … had one sack among a season-high 6 tackles at Hawaii … 2024 (Sophomore, Glenville State): Put together a breakout sophomore season ... named second team All-America by Associated Press and AFCA … earned first team All-America honors by Don Hansen ... D2Football.com Elite 100 Team ... Mountain East Conference Defensive Player of the Year ... All-MEC first team selection ... Cliff Harris Award finalist .... started all 11 games, leading the team with 54 total tackles, including 21.0 tackles for loss and 12.0 sacks ... also recorded 3 quarterback hurries, 2 fumble recoveries, 3 forced fumbles, and 1 pass breakup ... his 21.0 tackles for loss led all of NCAA Division II … 2023 (Freshman, Glenville State): Played in all 10 games as a true freshman ... closed the season with 22 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, four sacks and a forced fumble ... recorded at least one tackle in nine of the 10 contests he played in ... had four tackles against both Concord and UNC Pembroke, adding 1.5 TFL in the Concord matchup ... finished with three tackles at both West Virginia State and Frostburg State ... notched two tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble against Notre Dame College … Prep School: Played at Milford Academy in New Berlin, N.Y. for a post-grad year ... finished the season with 42 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and one forced fumble ...High School: Attended Passaic (N.J.) High where he was a first team all-county selection three times … Personal: Born JaMair Diaz.
Kolin Dinkins
SAF 6-2, 200
Wexford, PA / Penn State
2026 (Redshirt Senior, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January … 2025 (Redshirt Junior, Penn State): Played in 13 games and collected eight tackles, all in the first three games … 2024 (Redshirt Sophomore, Penn State): Appeared 15 games, primarily on special teams ... made seven tackles (6 solo) ... named the coaching staff's Developmental Squad Defensive Player of the Week (Ohio State) … 2023 (Redshirt Freshman, Penn State): Earned the team's Outstanding Run-On Award along with Dominic Rulli … appeared in 12 games on special teams ... earned the coaching staff's Developmental Squad Defensive Player of the Week three times (Illinois, UMass, Michigan) … 2022 (Freshman, Penn State): Redshirted … High School: Three-year letterman at North Allegheny for head coach Art Walker...was a part of three WPIAL semifinals teams ... posted 44 tackles (31 solo) and six tackles for loss as a senior ... recorded two interceptions on defense his junior season ... posted 25 carries for 155 yards and three touchdowns during sophomore campaign ... also lettered in basketball and track and field ... was a Big 56 Basketball All-Section Class 6A first team selection as a senior ... also won a gold medal in the long jump at the WPIAL Class AAA Track and Field Championships as senior, while also finishing fourth in high jump … Personal: Born Kolin Michael Dinkins ... father, Darnell, played tight end for nine years in the NFL (2001-09; Giants, Ravens, Browns, Saints) and three years at the University of Pittsburgh (1997-99) ...brother, Khalil, is a tight end on the Penn State Football team ... sister, Kayla, was a middle hitter on the Tulane women's volleyball team and was a two-time first-team All-AAC honoree ... enjoys reading manga, watching movies, self-improvement and boxing ... would like to work in entrepreneurship by building his brand using intellectual influences and creating financial freedom … accounting major.
Deshon Dodson
DL 6-3, 270
Woodlyn, PA / Albany
2026 (Sophomore, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January … 2025 (Freshman, Albany): Played 12 games and racked up 27 tackles (9 solos), 2.5 TFLs and 0.5 sacks … best game was at Delaware State when he had season highs in tackles (9) and TFLs (1.5) … High School: Played defensive line at Neumann Goretti in Philadelphia … 2023-24 Most Valuable Player and first team Defensive All-Catholic … also played basketball … Personal: Born Deshon Dodson.
Lamar Fairfax
DL 6-1, 250
Clinton Township, MI / Memphis
2026 (Redshirt Freshman, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January … 2025 (Freshman, Memphis): Did not see game action … redshirted … High School: Played defensive line at Belleville … recorded 78 total tackles and four sacks as a junior and senior … as a senior, helped Belleville reach the quarterfinals of the MHSAA Div-1 playoffs … ranked as the No. 33 player in the state of Michigan … Personal: Born Lamar Fairfax Jr.
Jayce Freeman
WR 6-4, 225
Salisbury, MD / Stony Brook
2026 (Redshirt Senior, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January … 2025 (Redshirt Junior, Stony Brook): Played in 10 games … caught 41 passes for 774 yards and eight touchdowns … had three games of 100+ receiving yards – at Lindenwood (178), NC A&T (140), and at Villanova (175) …also had season high 9 catches and two TDs at Lindenwood … returned 13 kickoffs for 354 yards including a 95-yard TD at Monmouth … 2024 (Redshirt Sophomore, Stony Brook): Appeared in 11 of 12 games for the Seawolves … led the team with 506 receiving yards on 23 catches … ranked third in the FCS and first in program history with 22.0 yards per catch … led the team and finished ninth in the CAA with six receiving touchdowns, the most by a Seawolf since 2018 … caught a touchdown in five straight games from 10/19 to 11/16… logged three catches for 101 yards and a touchdown vs. William & Mary … 2023 (Redshirt Freshman, Stony Brook): Hauled in 24 receptions for 388 yards and one touchdown in his first full season at wide receiver … turned in a 98-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown against New Hampshire (10/21); marked the longest passing play and second-longest offensive play in Stony Brook history … had 115 receiving yards against New Hampshire combining with Anthony Johnson (101 yards) to become Stony Brook's seventh 100-yard wide receiver duo and first since 2014 against UNH … 2022 (Freshman, Stony Brook): Appeared in four games throughout the season … redshirted … High School: Played wide receiver, outside linebacker, defensive end, cornerback, and safety under head coach Isaiah Taylor at Wicomico… 2021 all-state selection as an outside linebacker and two-time all-conference selection at wide receiver and linebacker (2020, 2021) … captain of football and basketball teams… totaled 29 receptions, 587 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns, along with 56 tackles, five tackles for loss, six interceptions, one interception returned for touchdown, three kick return touchdowns and two punt return touchdowns as a senior in 2021… also ran track … Personal: Born Jayce Freeman.
Quante Gillians
DL 6-3, 290
Rochester, NY / Syracuse
2026 (Redshirt Freshman, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January … 2025 (Freshman, Syracuse): Played in two games as a true freshman and made one tackle … made his collegiate debut against Colgate … made his first career tackle vs. North Carolina … redshirted … High School: Played defensive line and tight end at Aquinas Institute for head coach Maurice Jackson … collected 29.5 career sacks … Personal: Born Quante Gillians.
Jaeden Gould
SAF 6-2, 210
Somerset, NJ / UCF
2026 (Redshirt Senior, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January … 2025 (Redshirt Junior, UCF): Appeared in all 12 games for the Knights, tallying five tackles, three of which were solo … blocked a punt and had season-high two tackles against NC A&T … 2024 (Redshirt Sophomore, Syracuse): Appeared in eight games, making 11 tackles on the season … set a new career high with five tackles at Pitt … 2023 (Redshirt Freshman, Syracuse): Appeared in every game, with one start at safety … made 19 tackles, had one interception and a pass breakup on the season … made his school debut vs. Colgate, making two tackles … intercepted his first collegiate pass and returned it 17 yards against Army … in his first collegiate start, made a career-high five tackles (three solo) and broke up a pass vs. Boston College … had three solo tackles in the RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl vs. South Florida … 2022 (Freshman, Nebraska): Played in one game, making his collegiate debut against No. 6 Oklahoma … named to Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll in Spring 2022 … High School: Played defensive back for Bergen Catholic under head coach Vito Campanile … led Bergen Catholic to a 12-0 record and the Group A New Jersey State Championship and a top-4 national ranking … 2021 New Jersey High School Player of the Year by MaxPreps … as a senior, recorded four interceptions, 27 tackles and two pass breakups en route to earning all-state honors … had 13 tackles and four pass breakups in six games as a junior … ranked as one of the top 25 defensive back prospects and one of the top 200 overall players in the country by 247 Sports, which also ranked him as the No. 2 player in New Jersey … Personal: Born Jaeden Gould.
Kevin Hornbeak
DL 6-2, 295
Toledo, OH / Tiffin
2026 (Senior, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January … 2025 (Junior, Tiffin): Played in 11 games … notched 16 tackles (11 solos), along with 6.5 TFLs and 3.5 sacks … 2024 (Sophomore, Tiffin): Played in all 12 games and recorded 13 total tackles with 9 solo ... had 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack, 3 QB hurries, one forced fumble, and blocked one kick … 2023 (Freshman, Tiffin): …High School: Played defensive line at Whitmer High … earned all-conference, all-region, and All Ohio ... Personal: Born Kevin Hornbeak Jr. … also participated as a ___ on Tiffin's track and field team ... finance and accounting major.
Jaylon Joseph
OLB 6-2, 235
Houston, TX / Lafayette
2026 (Senior, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January … 2025 (Junior, Lafayette): Played in 12 games … totaled 23 tackles (15 solos), 7.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles … had a stretch of four games where he had 2+ sacks in three of the four contests … season-best 2.5 sacks and six tackles against Fordham … 2024 (Sophomore, Lafayette): Selected to the Preseason All-Patriot League Team ... saw action in all 12 games, making 11 starts at defensive tackle … collected 20 tackles and seven tackles for loss … managed one sack against Bucknell ... recorded his first collegiate interception which he returned for a pick-six against Marist ... recorded at least two tackles in five games … 2023 (Freshman, Lafayette): Finalist for the Jerry Rice Award, which is given to the top freshman in the FCS … named an All-Patriot League second-team selection and was the 12th player in Lafayette history to garner Patriot League Rookie of the Year status … named to the Stats Perform Freshman All-America Team … played in all 12 games, making 11 starts at defensive end in his rookie campaign … made 28 stops during the season for 5.5 TFL including seven games when he had three or more tackles … tallied four sacks, setting his opponents back 28 yards … had 10 quarterback hurries, including two against Bucknell and Delaware … named Patriot League Rookie of the Week after recording three tackles, a half sack and a quarterback hurry against Columbia … blocked a field goal against Colgate … High School: Played defensive end, outside linebacker and wide receiver in three varsity seasons at North Shore … two-time all-district selection … finished senior season with 61 tackles, 13.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, 16 QB hurries an interception and a fumble recovery … helped lead team to a 15-1 mark and a Class 6A state championship game appearance … program won state titles in 2015, 2018, 2019 and 2021 … honor roll student ... Personal: Born Jaylon Joseph.
Saboor Karriem
SAF 6-3, 210
West Orange, NJ / Illinois
2026 (Senior, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January … 2025 (Junior, Illinois): Played in 12 games … saw action on special teams in 11 games and played defensive snaps in seven regular-season contests … 19 total tackles (15 solo) … career-high 10 tackles (seven solo) in win vs. #21 USC … 2024 (Sophomore, Illinois): Played in 12 games with one start … seven tackles (four solo) on the season … recorded career-high five tackles (two solo) at #1 Oregon … 2023 (Freshman, Illinois): Played in seven games … made college debut with one tackle and three PBUs vs. FAU … High School: Three-year letterwinner as defensive back and wide receiver for head coach Darnell Grant at West Orange (N.J.) High … as a senior, colected 45 tackles, two interceptions, one return for a touchdown, and one blocked kick and set West Orange single-season records in receptions (63), receiving yards (1,001), and receiving touchdowns (15) … scored at least one touchdown in 10 of 12 games as a senior … 2022 USA Today All-New Jersey first team … position ranks: #4 (On3), #65 (ESPN), #72 (Rivals), #97 (247) … state ranks: #2 (On3), #8 (Rivals), #16 (ESPN), #19 (247) … also played basketball, lacrosse and track in high school … High honor roll … Personal: Born Saboor Karriem … pronounced: suh-BOR kuh-REEM … communications major.
Ransom McDermott
OL 6-8, 305
Noblesville, IN / Louisville
2026 (Redshirt Sophomore, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January … 2025 (Redshirt Freshman, Louisville): Saw action in the season opener against Eastern Kentucky … 2024 (Freshman, Louisville): Made his collegiate debut in the season opener against Austin Peay … reshirted … High School: Played offensive tackle for head coach Dave Sharpe at Noblesville (Ill.) High … as a senior, helped the Millers run for 2,836 yards and 29 touchdowns with an average of 5.8 yards per carry… ranked as the No. 105 offensive tackle nationally and No. 17 player in Indiana according to 247Sports Composite … chose Louisville over Kentucky, Purdue, Indiana, Cincinnati, West Virginia and Boston College … Personal: Born Ransom McDermott … management major.
Joey Schlaffer
TE 6-5, 225
Reading, PA / Penn State
2026 (Redshirt Junior, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January … 2025 (Redshirt Sophomore, Penn State): Played in three games … made first career reception vs. Villanova for a 19-yard touchdown … 2024 (Redshirt Freshman, Penn State): Appeared in four games ... named the coaching staff's Developmental Squad Offensive Player of the Week (Illinios) ... 2023 (Freshman, Penn State): Redshirted … High School: Started four years at tight end at Exeter Township for head coach Matt Bauer ... earned all-state honors in 2020, 2021 and 2022 ... collected Lancaster Lebanon all-conference selections all four years ... holds all-time county records in receiving yards (2,493) and receiving touchdowns (28) ... served as a team captain as a senior and led Exeter Township to a 12-1 record and a conference title when he caught 38 passes for 879 yards and nine touchdowns while rushing for 246 yards and three touchdowns and completing two passes for 43 yards ... helped the Eagles to a 10-4 record and district title as a junior when he hauled in 48 receptions for 834 yards and nine touchdowns … guided Exeter Township to a 6-2 record as a sophomore recording 19 catches for 444 yards and five touchdowns … as a freshman, registered 15 receptions for 336 yards and five touchdowns while the team posted a 9-4 record ... ranked as the No. 187 overall prospect, No. 10 tight end and No. 4 prospect in Pennsylvania by On3 ... recognized as the No. 214 overall prospect, No. 10 tight end and No. 11 prospect in Pennsylvania by Rivals ... rated as the No. 48 tight end and No. 20 prospect in Pennsylvania by 247Sports ... tabbed as the No. 15 tight end and No. 11 player in the state by ESPN ... was a three-year letterwinner in basketball, earning all-county honors in 2021 ... Personal: Born Joey Aiden Schlaffer ... brother, Michal Menet, played offensive line at Penn State (2017-21) and in the NFL (Cardinals, Packers, Falcons).
Ajani Sheppard
QB 6-2, 230
Bronx, NY / Washington State
2026 (Redshirt Junior, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January … 2025 (Redshirt Sophomore, Washington State): Did not appear in a game … 2024 (Redshirt Freshman, Rutgers): Played in four games ... rushed three times for 24 yards ... contributed a 20-yard rush against Wisconsin ... took snaps versus Akron and Howard … 2023 (Freshman, Rutgers): Played in one game ... completed both passing attempts for 23 yards and added a 10-yard carry in collegiate debut against Wagner … High School: Played quarterback at Iona Prep for head coach Joe Spagnola … led the Gaels to a 9-3 record, a 6-1 mark in Catholic AAA league action and a NYCCHSFL AAA title game appearance as a senior in 2022 … finished senior season 150-of-242 for 2,393 yards and 21 touchdowns and added 142 carries for 1,291 yards and 11 scores on the ground … threw for 2,357 yards and 22 touchdowns and rushed for 1,041 yards and 16 scores as a junior … CHSFL first team all-state Class AA Co-Player of the Year by the New York Sportswriters Association as a junior … No. 6 overall prospect in New York by ESPN … first Power 5 quarterback signee from Westchester County in 28 years … Personal: Born Ajani Sheppard.
Jaxon Smolik
QB 6-1, 205
Van Meter, IA / Penn State
2026 (Redshirt Sophomore, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January … 2025 (Redshirt Freshman, Penn State): Played in three games … took victory formation snaps in wins vs. Nevada and Villanova … rushed four times for three yards at Iowa … 2024 (Redshirt Freshman, Penn State): Missed the season due to an injury … 2023 (Freshman, Penn State): Made his collegiate debut against Delaware in his only action of the season … redshirted … High School: Played quarterback for head coach Tom Wilson at Dowling Catholic … as a senior, captained Dowling Catholic to a 10-2 record and an appearance in the state semifinals while earning 5A all-state honors, all-conference and collecting Academic all-state honors as a senior … in 2022, completed 64 percent of his passes for 1,967 yards and 19 touchdowns ... as a junior, helped the Maroon to a 7-4 record and a quarterfinals appearance completing 65 percent of his passes for 959 yards and nine touchdowns ... as a sophomore, guided Dowling Catholic to an 8-2 mark and a semifinals appearance throwing for 794 yards and six touchdowns, while completing 57-of-96 passes … ranked as the No. 24 quarterback in the class and No. 6 prospect in Iowa by Rivals. .. ranked as the No. 29 quarterback and No. 8 prospect in Iowa by ESPN ... rated as the No. 33 quarterback and the No. 10 prospect in Iowa by 247Sports ... tabbed as the No. 36 quarterback and No. 9 player in Iowa by On3 ... also played baseball, as a first baseman and pitcher … Personal: Born Jaxon James Smolik ... father, Mark, played football at South Dakota ... brother, Cameron, played football at Dordt University ... hobbies include fishing and hunting.
Reis Stocksdale
WR 5-10, 185
Morrow, OH/ Bowling Green
2026 (Redshirt Senior, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January … 2025 (Redshirt Senior, Bowling Green): Appeared in 11 games … totaled 23 yards on four receptions on the season … notched a 17-yard reception against Lafayette … caught two passes for nine yards against Cincinnati … 2024 (Redshirt Junior, Ohio State): Member of the 2024 National Championship squad … is a two-time OSU Scholar-Athlete and an Academic All-Big Ten Conference honoree … 2023 (Redshirt Sophomore, Ohio State): Missed the 2023 season with an injury … 2022 (Redshirt Freshman, Ohio State): Appeared in six games (Toledo, Wisconsin, Rutgers, Michigan State, Iowa and Indiana) … experienced his first collegiate action vs. Toledo … caught his first collegiate pass vs. Michigan State, covering 12 yards … lettered … 2021 (Freshman, Ohio State): Redshirted … High School: A four-year starting receiver at Little Miami High for head coach Caleb Jones … appeared in the state playoffs in each of his final three seasons … hauled in 38 receptions as a senior in 2020 for nearly 900 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns earning first-team All-Ohio by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association … first team all-conference and second-team all-district … amassed 1,107 all-purpose yards and accounted for 13 touchdowns … finished his career No. 2 in school history in receptions (104) for 2,046 yards and 31 TDs (most in school history) … Personal: Born Reis Stocksdale.
John Stone
OL 6-2, 300
Sewell, NJ / Rutgers
2026 (Redshirt Junior, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January … 2025 (Redshirt Sophomore, Rutgers): Played in all 12 games ... made collegiate debut versus Ohio … named to the Academic All-Big Ten list for the second time ... 2024 (Redshirt Freshman, Rutgers): Did not see game action ... named to the Academic All-Big Ten list … 2023 (Freshman, Rutgers): Did not see game action … redshirted … High School: Played offensive and defensive line at Washington Township for head coach Michael Schatzman … led the Minutemen to five wins in 2022 and an appearance in the NJSIAA South Jersey, Group V playoffs … helped the Minutemen rush for more than 2,000 yards and 24 touchdowns during senior season … registered 45 pancake blocks and graded out to a 95 percent block efficiency in 2022 … earned first team all-group and second team all-state by NJ.com, first team All-South Jersey by The Courier-Post, and second team all-state by USA Today … as a junior in 2021, earned first team all-division and second-team all-group pick by NJ.com … the No. 14 overall player in New Jersey by ESPN and the No. 16 by Rivals … a top-three interior lineman in the Garden State by 247Sports … … also a standout heavyweight wrestler at Washington Township and became an NJSIAA state qualifier as a junior in 2022 … Personal: Born John Stone … labor studies and employment relations major.
Kenedy Uzoma
WR 6-5, 210
Beltsville, MD / North Carolina
2026 (Redshirt Freshman, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January … 2025 (Freshman, North Carolina): Did not see game action … redshirted … High School: Played wide receiver at St. John's Catholic Prep … as a senior, caught 34 passes for 817 yards and 12 touchdowns on offense and recorded 24 tackles, 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles on defense … ranked the No. 33 recruit in the state of Maryland and the No. 60 athlete in the nation by 247Sports … Personal: Born Kenedy Uzoma.
Sam Wolfenden
LS 6-2, 245
Cave Creek, AZ / UNLV
2026 (Redshirt Freshman, Temple): Transferred to Temple in January … 2025 (Freshman, UNLV): A walk-on special teamer who did not see game action for the Rebels … High School: Played defensive end and long snapper for coach Christopher Dixon at Cactus Shadows High ... had two sacks on defense as a senior for the Falcons … Personal: Born Sam Wolfenden … business major.
Players Mentioned
OL
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/ FootballRUSH
/ FootballSAF
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/ FootballRUSH
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/ FootballOL
/ FootballTE
/ FootballQB
/ FootballQB
/ FootballWR
/ FootballOL
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/ Football2026 Fencing Philadelphia Invitational - Strip 3
Saturday, January 17
2026 Fencing Philadelphia Invitational - Strip 2
Saturday, January 17
2026 Fencing Philadelphia Invitational - Strip 1
Saturday, January 17
Strip 3 - Fencing Philadelphia Invitational
Friday, January 16
