Tag: Temple

Former Wisconsin running backs coach set to take offensive line job at AAC program

Former Wisconsin running backs coach takes offensive line job at AAC program

Former Wisconsin running backs coach Al Johnson is expected to join Temple as its offensive line coach, according to 247Sports’ Chris Hummer.

Johnson spent the 2022 season with the Badgers. He’s most recently coached offensive line at Montana State (2023-24), where he helped lead the team to Football Championship Subdivision-best scoring totals.

His season at Wisconsin is his only as a running backs coach at any level. His coaching career has included stops as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Southern Door High School (2013), the same position at St. Norbert (D-III, 2014-15), a graduate assistant at Wisconsin (2016-17) and the head coach at East Central (D-II, 2018-21).

Johnson has then excelled coaching offensive line at Montana State over the past two seasons. He is now set to join new head coach K.C. Keeler’s Temple staff, one looking to turn around a program that has gone 3-9 in each of the last four seasons.

Wisconsin’s hire of Johnson in 2022 was one of several major moves as Paul Chryst overhauled his coaching staff. Other moves in that time include the hire of Bobby Engram as offensive coordinator, Chris Haering moving from special teams to tight ends and Bob Bostad moving from inside linebackers to offensive line,

That staff didn’t get much time to turn the team around, as Chryst was fired in early October after a 2-3 start. Luke Fickell then installed an entirely new coaching staff after taking the job in late-November.

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Sooners get a bump in ESPN’s updated power rankings

The Oklahoma Sooners had an impressive Week 1 win over Temple, but where do they land in ESPN’s updated power rankings?

It may not have been the cleanest performance for the Oklahoma Sooners, but when you win by 48, there’s a great deal to feel good about.

On both sides of the ball, there were standout performances that should provide the building blocks for what will be a memorable season for the Oklahoma Sooners. After one week, the Sooners found themselves in the top 15 of ESPN’s updated power rankings.

[autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag] threw for four touchdowns in his first regular-season start, and the Sooners forced six turnovers in a season-opening rout of [autotag]Temple[/autotag]. Oklahoma coach [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] said Arnold played “really efficiently.” But the offensive story belonged to wide receiver [autotag]Deion Burks[/autotag]. The Purdue transfer notched three scores before halftime in his Oklahoma debut, becoming the fifth Sooner in program history to register three touchdowns in a half. – Eli Lederman, ESPN

The offense didn’t have to work too hard in the win because the defense provided a number of short fields. Still, Oklahoma scored on six of its eight possessions in the first half and seven of 10 stretching into the second half. That’s a number that will work.

If there’s an area of concern, it’s up front, where OU did little to allay any concerns along the offensive line. But it will get starting right tackle [autotag]Jake Taylor[/autotag] back this week and will likely have [autotag]Branson Hickman[/autotag], who missed much of Week 1 with an ankle injury suffered in the first quarter.

But for the first time in forever, the defense was the story. Zac Alley’s unit forced six turnovers and sacked Temple quarterback Forrest Brock six times. Defenders were flying around, showing a different level of confidence and physicality under Oklahoma’s new defensive coordinator.

Week 1 will not tell the whole story for the Sooners, who will have greater challenges ahead, but there was a lot to be encouraged about from their week one performance.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.

Ravens sign former Saints wide receiver Keith Kirkwood

The Baltimore Ravens announced they have signed former New Orleans Saints wide receiver Keith Kirkwood, one of their preferred blockers in 2023:

The Baltimore Ravens have signed former New Orleans Saints wide receiver Keith Kirkwood, the team announced Friday, reuniting him with several of his old teammates — including wide receiver Deonte Harty. Defensive backs Tre Swilling, Arthur Maulet, and Marcus Williams are also in Baltimore these days.

Kirkwood, 29, entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent the Saints signed out of Temple back in 2018. He’s appeared in 31 career games while catching 24 passes for 294 yards and 3 touchdowns. That time has been spent entirely with the Saints outside a two-year stop with the Carolina Panthers, with whom he played in four games.

He played ahead of Rashid Shaheed last season as one of the Saints’ favored run-blocking wideouts; Kirkwood was asked to block and create opportunities for his teammates on 151 of his 236 snaps on offense, per Pro Football Focus charting. He ran just 85 routes and was targeted only 9 times. Still, we’re wishing him well in this next opportunity. A handful of players from last year’s Saints team remain available in free agency, including wide receivers Michael Thomas and Lynn Bowden Jr.

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Saints schedule private workout with fast-rising linebacker

The New Orleans Saints scheduled a private workout with fast-rising Temple linebacker Jordan Magee:

The New Orleans Saints scheduled a private workout with Temple linebacker Jordan Magee before the upcoming 2024 NFL draft, according to Justin Melo of The Draft Network, He’s a prospect on the rise after dominating the NFL Scouting Combine, and he’s set Top 30 visits with both the Denver Broncos and Dallas Cowboys. Right now he’s projected to picked on Day 3 between rounds four and seven.

In four seasons at Temple, Magee had 235 tackles with 31 going for a loss and eight sacks. He had a nice performance at the combine, finishing first among linebackers in the 10-yard split with a 1.54 time (4.55-second 40-yard dash). He finished third in the broad jump and fourth in the vertical. His numbers allowed him to finish with a 9.29 Relative Athletic Score, with his biggest downside being his size and lack of confirmed numbers in agility drills.

The signing of Willie Gay makes linebacker a little bit less of an emergency need, but the Saints do need to plan for the future of the position. Demario Davis is still playing at a high level, but is entering his age-35 season and can’t be expected to play much longer. The Saints doing due diligence on the position is expected.

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2024 NFL Mock Draft: Full 7-round post-NFL Combine predictions for the Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles are retooling and we’ve unveiled are fourth Eagles Wire 2024 NFL Mock draft of the offseason and after the scouting combine

The 2024 NFL Scouting Combine is a wrap, and the results could significantly impact what happens when the 2024 NFL Draft rolls around at the end of next month.

Like every team in the league, the Philadelphia Eagles closely watched this week’s action at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis as they lock in their draft board.

Philadelphia currently set to have six selections in this year’s draft, and are also projected to receive four compensatory selections, which would give them ten altogether.

Here’s an updated look at how all seven rounds could turn out for the Eagles via the PFF Mock Draft simulator.

Former Temple defensive back Jalen McMurray commits to Vols

Former Temple defensive back Jalen McMurray commits to Tennessee.

Temple cornerback Jalen McMurray entered the NCAA transfer portal on Dec. 27, 2023.

He committed to Tennessee on Tuesday.

The 6-foot, 180-pound cornerback played at Temple from 2021-23. He appeared in 27 games for the Owls, recording 90 tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss, one interception, 12 pass deflections, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

McMurray went to Temple from Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C.

Tennessee concluded its 2023 season ranked No. 17 in the US LBM Coaches Poll after defeating Iowa, 35-0, in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Day.

The Vols will kick off its 2024 season on Aug. 31 versus Chattanooga at Neyland Stadium.

READ: Final 2023 US LBM Coaches Poll top 25 rankings

Former Georgia QB enters transfer portal again

Former Georgia Bulldogs starting quarterback is entering the transfer portal after changing positions

Former Georgia Bulldogs quarterback D’Wan Mathis is entering the transfer portal again. Mathis, who was named the opening game starter at quarterback for the Temple Owls in 2021 and 2022, is looking for a new home.

During the 2022 college football season, D’Wan Mathis changed positions and started playing as a wide receiver. Mathis has two receptions for 12 yards this season after finishing 2022 with six receptions for 44 receiving yards.

Kurt Warner’s son, E.J. Warner, took over the starting role as Temple’s top quarterback. Warner is one of the leading passers in the country.

It will be interesting the see if Mathis is looking to transfer as a quarterback or as a wide receiver. Mathis threw for 1,223 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions in 2021 for Temple.

Mathis was named the opening day starter at quarterback for Georgia during the 2020 college football season, but he lost his job to Stetson Bennett in his first career start against Arkansas. It sure feels like a long time ago when Mathis was Georgia’s starting quarterback. Mathis is a former four-star recruit from Oak Park High School in Oak Park, Michigan.

The Temple wide receiver announced he was entering the transfer portal as a graduate transfer via social media:

He was Georgia’s co-winner of the David Jacobs Award in 2019 for overcoming his scary brain cyst.

Packers host Temple WR Adonicas Sanders on official pre-draft visit

The Packers hosted Temple WR Adonicas Sanders on an official top 30 visit ahead of the 2023 draft.

The Green Bay Packers hosted Temple wide reciever Adonicas Sanders on an official top-30 visit ahead of the 2023 NFL draft, according to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Sanders spent the 2022 at Temple after playing his first five collegiate seasons at Georgia Tech. In 2022, he caught 37 passes for 437 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing six times for 22 yards. At Georgia Tech (2017-2021), he caught 65 passes and scored four touchdowns over 35 games and 14 starts.

At Temple’s pro day, Sanders (6-0, 189) ran the 40-yard dash in 4.57 seconds, hit 32″ in the vertical leap, covered 9-10 in the broad jump, finished the three-cone in 7.27 seconds and the short shuttle in 4.33 seconds and completed 11 reps on the bench press. His Relative Athletic Score is 2.88 out of 10.0.

Dane Brugler of The Athletic ranked Sanders as his 142nd overall wide receiver in the class and a likely undrafted free agent.

In a pre-draft interview with Draft Diamonds, Sanders said his best attributes as a player are “yards after catch and downfield  blocking.”

What kind of player? “A versatile receiver that can play outside or slot. And can make an impact on special teams,” Sanders told Draft Diamonds.

The Packers likely used the pre-draft visit to recruit Sanders to Green Bay following the draft.

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Former Celtics guard, assistant coach Sam Cassell a target to helm Temple

“Cassell has drawn interest from Temple University for its head coaching job,” reports HoopsHype’s Mike Scotto.

2008 Boston Celtics champion Sam Cassell could be on the move to become the next head coach of Temple, according to Hoops Hype’s Mike Scotto’s recent reporting. Per Scotto, 76ers assistant coach Sam Cassell has drawn interest from Temple University for its head coaching job.”

“At this time, however, Cassell is focused on helping the Sixers compete for a championship,” adds the Hoops Hype reporter regarding the former Boston guard’s candidacy for that school. “Cassell has interviewed for NBA head coaching jobs in the past and is in his 14th season as an assistant coach. He also works closely with Tyrese Maxey in Philadelphia.”

Given the renewed import of recruiting even this early in the offseason for collegiate programs in the era of the transfer portal’s rapid and intense rise in popularity, we would imagine Temple will take a hard look at other options.

But with other assistants around the league making similar moves (former Boston assistant Damon Stoudamire’s decampment to helm Georgia Tech comes to mind) with no haste, we suspect Cassell will remain with the Sixers moving forward.

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Colts assistant Jamel Mutunga hired by Temple

Colts assistant coach Jamel Mutunga was hired by Temple as the RBs coach.

Indianapolis Colts assistant offensive coach Jamel Mutunga was hired by Temple University to be their running backs coach, according to Brandon Marcello of 247Sports on Tuesday.

Mutunga, who was the offensive Dungy Fellow, joined the Colts’ coaching staff during the 2022 offseason as one of two Tony Dungy Diversity Coaching Fellows along with Brent Jackson, who served as the defensive Dungy Fellow.

Mutunga has gone between college and the NFL over the last decade, spending the majority of his time in the latter ranks.

He served as Rutgers’ offensive quality control coach for three seasons (2020-2022). Before that, he spent three seasons (2017-2019) as Princeton’s running backs/kickoff return coach and another three seasons as Lehigh’s running backs coach (2014-2016) and he was Muhlenberg College’s tight ends/halfbacks coach (2012-2013).

Mutunga also was a Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellow with the New York Jets (2014) and Atlanta Falcons (2019).

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