Temple Football Position Preview; Tight End

Tagged under: News, Pennsylvania Colleges, Temple

Mike Livingston | June 1, 2026

When the “Tight End U” moniker is issued, it usually goes out to the usual suspects such as Penn State, Iowa, or Georgia. While Temple may not be producing H-backs at that high a clip just yet, they could certainly be on their way if the 2026 season looks anything like 2025 did under Tyler Walker and K.C. Keeler.

The Owls complement an already potent offense with a troop of strong pass catchers and blockers at the tight end position in 2026, as the position continues to grow and progress with generations of players passing down their knowledge in the program.

#88, Peter Clarke – 6’6/265, Sr.
London, England (NFL Academy)

A guy who can be thought of as THE voice in the Temple locker room at times, Peter Clarke has turned himself into one of the Owls’ best players on and off the field, making him a top candidate for a single-digit nomination this fall.

Clarke had a huge 2025, becoming a favorite target of quarterback Evan Simon and using his pure athletic talent on numerous occasions to appear as a near wide receiver-tight end hybrid owing to his daunting speed and physicality in the open field, often flattening defenders in the process.

He continued his torrid agenda in spring ball, regularly helping both Ajani Sheppard and Jaxon Smolik settle into their new offense in what has become a heated quarterback competition for Temple.

Clarke has also taken a spot as the vocal leader of his room, helping to solidify the culture that has been established for Temple tight ends over the past few years.

Clarke is a shoo-in to start at tight end when Week One comes around, obviously, but it remains to be seen if he’ll be able to take yet another step into a new level of play that could bring the Temple offense with it.

#33, Ryder Kusch – 6’4/250, So.
White Rock, British Columbia, Canada (The Hun School)

Ryder Kusch stands out as just a sophomore for Temple who’d likely be starting on nearly any other Group of Five roster, but for the Owls, he is a perfect complement in a one-two punch with Clarke to make a dual-tight-end approach the way to go schematically for Temple.

Kusch notably found paydirt multiple times last year as just a freshman despite not seeing all that much playing time.

His knack for finding open holes and seizing defensive miscues was something that showed throughout spring ball.

Kusch regularly lined up at the same time as Clarke in certain sets, though Walker also showed some sets where both Clarke and Kusch went out on their own for unique schematic looks.

Kusch will undoubtedly see ample time on the field this year and, in all likelihood, get a clean 50/50 split, or just a bit less, snap-wise with Clarke when it’s all said and done.

#18, Joey Schlaffer – 6’5/225, R-Jr.
Reading, PA (Exeter Township HS) – Penn State

Joey Schlaffer joins the Owls’ tight end room after taking part in the mass post-James Franklin exodus that took place at Penn State last season.

He joins Smolik as the second former Nittany Lion on the offense and comes from a local background, hailing from Reading.

During his first three seasons in Happy Valley, Schlaffer appeared in only six games and recorded just one touchdown: a 19-yarder in a 52-6 victory for Penn State last season.

Nonetheless, he comes into the Temple tight end room with experience and loads of potential, having worked in a Penn State tight end room that has produced numerous NFL talents such as Pat Friermuth, Mike Gesicki, and Tyler Warren.

Now Schlaffer will get his chance to nudge his way into the starting rotation on offense, something he was able to do a bit of in spring ball, where he spent minimal time with the first team while mainly taking snaps with the second and third teams.

Schlaffer is a prime candidate for a tight end-two role in 2027 behind Ryder Kusch if things work out. He has the potential to be a starter, and with Temple’s history of success in the tight end room, chances are he can unlock that potential on North Broad.

#84, Daniel Evert – 6’5/250, Jr.
Regensburg, Germany (Albrecht-Altdorfer Gym)

A solidified part of the tight end rotation during both his freshman and sophomore years, Evert has been a pillar of the tight ends’ room for a good amount of time.

Though he’s now buried on the depth chart, there should be little doubt cast on his ability to produce in fall camp and, inevitably, the 2026 season.

Evert had classes for decent swaths of time during spring practice windows, so he didn’t get all the reps guys like Clarke and Kusch did. His veteran presence and proven ability will make him yet another viable candidate to jump up the depth chart come September.

#40, David Wise – 6’5/230
Philadelphia, PA (Neumann-Goretti)

The local product, David Wise, walked on to the team for Temple back in 2024 as a freshman and has yet to see the field.

He spent the entirety of spring camp with the fourth- and third-teamers because of the inherent lack of depth in the tight end room. Chances are low that he sees the field in many capacities this season.

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