Temple Football Position Preview; Runningback

Tagged under: News, Pennsylvania Colleges, Temple

Mike Livingston | May 18, 2026

In the second part of our series previewing every position on Temple’s roster, it’s a position that is emerging as one of the most promising and depth-filled on the Owls’ roster in 2026: running back.

Two impactful freshmen and a transfer who showed flashes of promise during the spring are just the tip of the iceberg in a room that has talent from top to bottom.

With question marks at quarterback, it comes without much doubt that running back will be an uber-important position for Temple throughout the 2026 season, as the offense may need to look to the backfield for stability at times, and this group has given little reason to doubt it can be that steady hand, literally.

#27, Sam Brown – 6-foot-1/215, R-Jr., Philadelphia, PA (La Salle College)
Rutgers transfer

Perhaps the Owls’ biggest breakout star of the spring season, Sam Brown, was one of the most impactful players for Temple throughout March and April, showing why he was the No. 6-rated all-purpose back in the nation before committing to Rutgers in 2022.

Brown, with his bulky frame and undeniable power, dealt with numerous injuries that hampered him during his four seasons with the Scarlet Knights and left doubt about whether he could return to the form he showed during his freshman and sophomore seasons in New Brunswick, where he combined for 580 yards and looked like an emerging talent in the Rutgers backfield.

But after recording only 239 rushing yards across nine combined games between the 2024 and 2025 seasons, Brown made the move to Temple, where he looked to compete for the starting running back job.

And compete he did — Brown not only returned to his prior form but seemingly gained a step, adding a new burst with scary acceleration that blew him past defenders at times. That, combined with his size, makes Brown a menacing force out of the backfield if he can stay healthy and continue on his upward trajectory heading into the season.

Assuming Brown stays the course, there is little reason to believe he won’t be taking the first snaps out of the backfield on Sept. 5 when Rhode Island comes to Lincoln Financial Field.

#29, Hunter Smith – 5-foot-11/190, Gr., Little Rock, AR (Joe T. Robinson)

Commonly looked at as the frontrunner for the running back job at the opening of spring camp, Hunter Smith is one of only a few returners in the running back room.

Smith, who spent the first four years of his college career at Louisiana-Monroe, made the move to Temple last season, where he totaled 403 yards and two touchdowns.

Through the spring, Smith quietly continued his upward pace, routinely taking first-team snaps and realizing his carved-out role at the top of the running back room, where he served mainly as an outside runner and worked in some flat routes in the passing game.

Head coach K.C. Keeler has been on the record numerous times stating he’d like to work with a running back-by-committee approach in his backfield during the 2026 season, which is becoming more likely with Smith and fellow returner Keveun Mason likely taking snaps alongside Brown.

Smith’s inside track likely won’t go anywhere during fall camp, as he still stands as a prime RB1 candidate if Brown were to take a step back or get injured following a 2025 season in which he backed up Jay Ducker as the team’s RB2.

#21, De’Carlos Young – 5-foot-11/210, R-Fr., Palmer Park, MD (Wise)

Young enters his redshirt freshman season with the Owls after a freshman campaign in which he didn’t see the field.

However, throughout spring practice, Young stood out as another breakout back in Andrew Pierce’s room, getting decent time with the first and second teams throughout March and April.

His role seems to be carved out already, assuming he stays the course. Keeler and offensive coordinator Tyler Walker like Young, a bruiser of sorts, using his brute size to help in short-yardage situations where Brown may not be available.

If Young does end up seeing marginal time in 2026, look for him either to take on a heightened role in 2027 or possibly look elsewhere in the transfer portal come January.

#26, Keveun Mason – 5-foot-10/190, So., Fort Meade, FL (Sebring)

Mason returns after a freshman season that saw him rack up 167 yards and a touchdown for the Owls with sporadic playing time behind Ducker and Smith.

Mason joined the rampant running back competition in the spring and performed well at times, but never turned many heads. Assuming he doesn’t turn too much of a corner in fall camp, a redshirt could be a real possibility for him, though he’s only a few big plays away from putting himself right back in the thick of the competition.

#20, R.J. Blount – 5-foot-11/205, Fr., Pennsauken, NJ (Pennsauken)

One of two early-enrollee freshman running backs who impressed on the spring circuit, Blount, a local product, got marginal time behind second- and even first-teamers at times.

Though the South Jersey native hasn’t quite found his niche in the Temple offense, Blount consistently got himself involved in different offensive schemes as the Owls attempted to figure out exactly how they’d like to use the talented young back.

It should come as no surprise if Blount begins to find his way onto the field throughout the season, though at this point, a redshirt should still very much be in question.

#25, Ameir Morrow – 5-foot-11/210, Fr., Brooklyn, NY (Erasmus Hall)

Morrow, the second of the Owls’ promising freshman backs, jockeyed with Blount all spring long with the third- and second-team offense.

Though listed at a bulky 5-foot-11/210, Morrow’s weight seemed to be well distributed. With a great physique, he’s pure muscle and already shouldn’t need to worry much about developing his body further, which will give him ample time to continue developing his game.

While it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Morrow on the field come September, a redshirt feels more likely for the freshman.

#23, Jordan Miller – 5-foot-7/185, R-So., Bear, DE (Caravel Academy)

Miller, a local product from Bear, Delaware, who spent his freshman season at Division II Millersville, made the move to Temple last season, though he missed the entire year due to injury.

Miller struggled through spring camp, notably losing a fumble during an early practice after freshman safety Daron Harris laid a hard hit on the undersized back.

Expectations shouldn’t be much of anything for Miller in 2026, who has supplied little reason to think otherwise to this point.

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