Temple Football Practice Notebook (3/30)

Tagged under: News, Pennsylvania Colleges, Temple

Mike Livingston | March 31, 2026

NORTH PHILADELPHIA – With just two weeks remaining in the spring practice cycle, Owls head coach K.C. Keeler remarked that his squad had its worst practice of the slate so far.

That’s not saying much.

“I thought the first nine practices and the scrimmage on Saturday were really good,” said Keeler. “Disappointed today. This is the first practice — first winter workout, first weightlifting, first practice — that I was really displeased with. I think we kind of went through the motions, and that’s not who we can be. And so I had a very poignant talk with the fellas after practice.”

Keeler highlighted a plethora of reasons for his dissatisfaction with his squad during Tuesday afternoon’s practice, though he also pointed to positives, as multiple players continue to make strides in positional competitions.

In the defensive backfield in particular, Saboor Karriem, Avery Powell and Jaeden Gould have seemed to take the upper hand at the safety position, where it appears they’ll all receive equal playing time.

Other players like Josiah Jackson, Pooh Lawton and Orel Gray could also see regular time in the defensive backfield, as Keeler highlighted his team’s abundant depth across the defense.

The Owls’ head coach wants — and will likely get — a scenario in which he can have fresh bodies on the field for a majority of the snaps, and that owes to the numerous new faces Temple was able to bring in alongside a full room of returners.

On the offensive side of the ball, things continue to settle more into place, with Ajani Sheppard and Jaxon Smolik continuing to battle neck and neck for the QB1 spot, though Keeler recently remarked he’d be open to naming a starter out of spring camp.

In the pass-catching department, the trio of JoJo Bermudez, Colin Chase and Jayce Freeman looks to have things all but locked down, while Peter Clarke and Ryder Kusch hold the top two tight end spots.

On the offensive line, Giakoby Hill, Eric King, Grayson Mains, Jackson Pruitt and Luke Watson line up well for the Owls, though Rutgers transfer John Stone looks to push both Mains and Pruitt in a three-man battle.

The running back room may be the only place on offense with serious question marks — though good question marks at that. The Owls are faced with a dilemma that has them projected with three to four starting-caliber running backs.

Though Rutgers transfer Sam Brown and top returner Hunter Smith lead the pack, players like Keveun Mason and freshman RJ Blount will also look to challenge for that job.

The Owls will be back on the field Thursday afternoon.

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