Temple University Athletics
Temple Football 2026 Fall Camp Blog
8.7.26 | Football
PHILADELPHIA – Football season is here and the Temple Owls are back at 10th & Diamond. The 2026 season is quickly approaching as we sit on the eve of fall camp. Head coach K.C. Keeler and the Owls will begin a four-week training camp starting Wednesday, August 5, at Edberg Olson Hall.
Temple will practice six days a week, with three practices per week being open to the media, every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday. On those days, select players and coaches will have availability to speak with the assembled media in attendance.
This space will serve as a blog throughout the entirety of fall camp, with daily updates. The 2026 Temple Football Record & Fact Book can be seen above. Video records of all player and coach media availabilities can be accessed below when they become available.
Wednesday, August 5
Day one of 2026 Fall Camp was met with rainy conditions and the Owls were ready to get better in the elements. K.C. Keeler and the Owls harped on the details right from the first whistle. Throughout individual drills, seven-on-sevens, and full team sessions, the coaches were ensuring that the small things were done. No one walked, everyone locked in. This is the culture at 10th & Diamond and in order for Temple to have a successful 2026, this is the standard that needs to be met every day.
The Owls saw a lot of familiar faces from spring ball making big plays on day one of fall camp this year. Both sides of the ball had their moments in today's two-hour long practice in spider pads.
Offensive Highlights
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Wide receiver and single digit wearer Colin Chase has always been a reliable target for any quarterback that's in the backfield and today was no different. In today's first team period, the offense was trying to get into a rhythm, and Chase provided that. On a perfectly timed comeback route, quarterback Jaxon Smolik and Chase connected for 15-yards. Smolik threw the ball to Chase before he made it out of his break, and the ball arrived just on time for the completion.
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Later, in the second 11-on-11 period of practice, the Owls passing attack struck again, this time in a big way. Smolik hit sophomore wide receiver Zander Baptiste on a deep pass down the left sideline. The pass arched beautifully over the defenders and into the outstretched hands of the young wideout. The connection went for 40 yards as Baptiste was able to catch the ball without breaking his stride.
Defensive Highlights
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The defense came out from the first snap playing fast and physical football. The identity of the very city in which the Owls reside was translated to the defensive side of the ball. The opening team period was full of run-stuffing tackles, shed blocks, and pressure in the backfield. Players like Kevin Hornbeak and Jaylon Joseph were turning heads and making plays consistently throughout this period. Both ensured running backs did not make it out of the backfield untouched, and quarterbacks were uncomfortable in the pocket.
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The play of the day belonged to the duo of Quante Gillians and JaMair Diaz. Towards the end of the second team period, Gillians used his strength and savvy to break through the line of scrimmage and put his hands up to tip the pass thrown by the quarterback. Diaz was lurking behind the play and reacted quickly to the ball being tipped and plucked it out of the air as he walked into the end zone for a pick six.
Saturday's media availability will include offensive coordinator Tyler Walker, offensive line coach Al Johnson, quarterbacks Jaxon Smolik and Ajani Sheppard, and offensive linemen Grayson Mains and John Stone. The video recording of the pressers will be posted to owlsports.com by the end of the day.
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Thursday, August 6
The Owls are in full swing back at 10th & Diamond for Fall Camp 2026. Today was met with much better weather than yesterday's conditions, although the heat did rear it's ugly head throughout the duration of practice. Each period of practice is valuable and critical to the success of the 2026 Temple Owls. K.C. Keeler emphasized the importance of staying focused and locked into each rep, especially the mental reps. Leaders amongst each position group are echoing that same message to the team.
Offensive Highlights
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The defense seemingly 'won' day of practice, but that script was flipped today as the offense, specifically the passing offense were able to successfully take and connect on shots down field. Both quarterbacks Jaxon Smolik and Ajani Sheppard were accurate, precise, and confident with each throw they made. They continue to spread the ball around and get everyone involved.
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Smolik and wideout Colin Chase continue to be a duo that proves difficult to slow down. Whether it be on a scramble drill or a more conventional look, Smolik has looked to feed Chase the ball. Late in the second team period, Chase was seen streaking down the left side of the field for a beautiful 30-yard gain. He also found running back De'Carlos Young in a similar situation for a 40 yard gain, and fit it right over the head of a defender.
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Sheppard and tight end Peter Clarke (recently named to the Mackey Award 2026 Preseason Watch List) connected in the second period for a big gain. The quarterback fit the ball into a tight window in the seam, putting the ball exactly where it needed to be for Clarke to haul it in without breaking stride for a 20-yard gain.
Defensive Highlights
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The second level of the defense stood out in today's practice. One of the best athletes on the field in cornerback Denzel Chavis was able to display his talents on a one-on-one situation in the second team period. While his wide receiver had a half a step on him, he closed the gap quickly and put sticky coverage on the receiver when the ball was in the air. He did not allow the receiver's hands to get a clean look at the ball and broke up the pass to prevent a potential deep completion.
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The quarterbacks know how quick they need to get rid of the ball against Temple's defensive line which is easier said than done. Cameron Jones made sure that was not a possibility throughout parts of practice, making the signal caller's life difficult at times. Jones secured a quick sack on the quarterback in which he met him soon after he received the snap.
Saturday's media availability will include offensive coordinator Tyler Walker, offensive line coach Al Johnson, quarterbacks Jaxon Smolik and Ajani Sheppard, and offensive linemen Grayson Mains and John Stone. The video recording of the pressers will be posted to owlsports.com by the end of the day.
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Friday, August 7
The Owls took the field under extreme conditions for today's practice. The heat and humidity met with the sun shining down on Edberg-Olson Hall proved for a tough practice, but the team persevered. Games throughout the first month of the season will also have difficult conditions, and this version of the Temple Owls will need to be prepared for such situations. Today there were three team periods in which both sides of the ball squared off. The offense and defense each had moments where they can be impressed with the results of the play.
Offensive Highlights
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Sophomore running back Keveun Mason turned heads throughout his freshman year campaign last year, and year two will be no different. The shifty tailback had a few plays that were met with "OO's" and "AH's" during today's practice. His receiving skills were put to the test early, and he passed thanks to a perfectly placed ball by quarterback Ajani Sheppard. Mason made the catch as he was falling to the ground along the sideline with a defender in his lap but secured the ball for a big gain.
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Another running back worth noting in today's practice is transfer Sam Brown V. The Rutgers product is one to use his size and speed to effectively get through the defense, and he has done that every day throughout spring ball, summer workouts, and now fall camp. Today, Brown was able to navigate his way through the line thanks to a nice block by tackle Luke Watson, and speed past defenders trying to bring him down. The new Owl gained 15 yards on the play.
Defensive Highlights
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The defensive line made things difficult for the offense today, much like previous practices thus far this fall camp. Newly added lineman Kevin Hornbeak is someone to watch out for each and every day. The 5th year is making his name known. Late in today's practice he shed a dual block on the interior portion of the line to break up a run play. The running back barely had time to take two steps before he was embraced by Hornbeak for a loss on the play.
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A play that resulted in a similar manor was caused by edge rush Cameron Jones. He was fast and physical off the snap of the ball to, again, meet the running back in the backfield for another loss.
Tomorrow's media availability will include offensive coordinator Tyler Walker, offensive line coach Al Johnson, quarterbacks Jaxon Smolik and Ajani Sheppard, and offensive linemen Grayson Mains and John Stone. The video recording of the pressers will be posted to owlsports.com by the end of the day.
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Media Availabilities
| Date | Coaches & Players |
| 8/5/26 | K.C. Keeler, Dante Atton, Colin Chase - Pressers |
| 8/8/26 | Tyler Walker, Al Johnson, Jaxon Smolik, Ajani Sheppard, Grayson Mains, John Stone - Pressers |
| 8/10/26 | K.C. Keeler, Peter Clarke, Eric Stuart - Pressers |
| 8/13/26 | TBA |
| 8/15/26 | TBA |
| 8/17/26 | K.C. Keeler |
| 8/20/26 | TBA |
| 8/22/26 | TBA |
| 8/24/26 | K.C. Keeler |
| 8/27/26 | TBA |
| 8/31/26 | K.C. Keeler |
