Temple Football Announces Single Digit Numbers Ahead of 2026 Season

PHILADELPHIA – Temple football head coach K.C. Keeler announced Thursday the Temple TUFF single-digit wearers for the 2026 season. Five new individuals will be welcomed into this special fraternity, while two members of last year's team retain their number.

This tradition began in 2009 under former head coach Al Golden. Single digits are awarded to Temple's toughest players both on and off the field. They embody what it means to be Temple TUFF. These student-athletes are leaders among their peers and show up with a championship-level mindset every day.

Colin Chase (#1) and Dante Atton (#7) each retain their single-digit status entering the 2026 season. Atton marked the first ever specialist to don a single digit. Chase is in his second year at Temple and is the hands-down leader of the wide receiver room and on the team in general.

Fifth year linebacker Eric Stuart joins the single-digit fraternity in 2026. Stuart leads on and off the field. His comeback effort last season after suffering an injury in 2024 showed his resilience and dedication to the Owls. Stuart was recognized last year with the NovaCare Student-Athlete Comeback Player of the Year award at the 2026 Stella's.

Senior tight end Peter Clarke is one of the faces of the program. His football story began at the NFL Academy in London, England, before coming over to the United States and becoming a star for the Owls. Clarke opened eyes in 2025 when he led Temple with six touchdown receptions on 30 catches for 483 yards. He sits two touchdowns away from breaking Temple's all-time record for receiving touchdowns by a tight end in their career.

Fifth year offensive lineman Grayson Mains gets the nod as a single-digit recipient for the Owls. Mains marks the first offensive lineman since the 2022 season to be honored with earning a single digit. While Temple honors players with this rich tradition, NCAA rules state that offensive linemen are not permitted to wear single digits so Mains will remain in #57 on game days.

Fifth year running back Sam Brown V has taken the Owls by storm ahead of his first year on10th & Diamond. Brown came to Temple from Rutgers University in the BIG10 where he rushed for over 800 yards and eight touchdowns in 28 games played. Temple marks a return home for Brown who returns to Philadelphia where he grew up iand played high school football at La Salle College High.

Senior safety Saboor Karriem rounds out the group for this year's Temple TUFF single-digit wearers. The Newark, N.J., native spent the previous three seasons at Illinois. He played in 32 games for the Fighting Illini and registered a career-high 22 total tackles in 2025.