PHILADELPHIA (The Phanatic Magazine) – Today, on college football's National Signing Day, the Temple Owls welcomed 19 new student-athletes to the football team.
Name Pos Elg Ht Wt Hometown High School/Other
Ryquell Armstead RB Fr. 5-11 205 Millville, N.J. Millville
Jeremiah Atoki DB Fr. 6-2 190 Vineland, N.J. South
Josiah Bronson DL Fr. 6-5 265 Covington, Wash. Kentwood
Chapelle Cook LB Fr. 6-1 214 Lakewood, N.J. Lakewood
Jovahn Fair OL Fr. 6-3 285 Akron, Ohio Firestone
Jager Gardner RB Fr. 6-2 205 Black Mountain, N.C. Owen
Daishaun Grimes LB Fr. 6-2 192 St. Cloud, Fla. Harmony
Benson Israel OL Fr. 6-1 316 Spring Valley, N.Y. St. Joseph’s (N.J.)
DeAndre Kelly DL Fr. 6-3 238 Hyattsville, Md. DeMatha
Dana Levine DL Fr. 6-4 213 Hallandale Beach, Fla. Hallandale
Roy Pugh TE Fr. 6-4 196 South Orange, N.J. Malcolm X Shabazz
Jake Robinson TE Fr. 6-3 208 Haddonfield, N.J. Haddonfield Memorial
T.J. Simmons RB Fr. 6-1 195 Lakeland, Fla. Lakeland Christian
Cortrelle Simpson WR Fr. 5-10 175 Indian Head, Md. Lackey
Greg Webb DL R-So. 6-1 312 Sicklerville, N.J. Timber Creek / Hutchinson
Taiyir Wilson LB Fr. 6-2 210 Collegeville, Penn. Perkiomen Valley
Dawayne Young DL Fr. 6-3 280 Philadelphia, Penn. Martin Luther King
MID YEAR TRANSFERS
Name Pos Elg Ht Wt Hometown High School/Other
Kareem Ali, Jr. DB Fr. 5-11 175 Sicklerville, N.J. Timber Creek
Logan Marchi QB Fr. 6-1 170 Bristol, Conn. St. Paul Catholic
William Updegrove LB Fr. 6-2 230 Berwick, Penn. Berwick Area
· The 2015 Class of 19 players represents nine states - New Jersey (7), Florida (3), Pennsylvania (2), Maryland (2), Connecticut (1), New York (1), North Carolina (1), Ohio (1), and Washington (1).
· The Owls recruited evenly adding 10 players on defense and added nine offensive players.
· Kareem Ali graduated early from Timber Creek High. His last high school class was on Friday, January 16. He started classes at Temple University on Tuesday, January 20, with a 90-minute lecture in Development and Globalization.
· Two other players - Logan Marchi and William Updegrove- join Ali as mid-year transfers and have been enrolled at Temple since January 12, 2015. Marchi and Updegrove attended Temple’s 2014 Summer camp. Marchi participated in drills but Updegrove was sidelined with a shoulder injury.
· Greg Webb is the lone JUCO transfer. His transfer to Temple is a return home for the former Timber Creek High player. Webb reunites with Kareem Ali and redshirt-sophomore RB Zaire Williams at Temple. The trio were part of Timber Creek’s South Jersey Championship teams in 2011-12.
· The 2015 season will get underway on Saturday, September 5, when Temple hosts Penn State at Lincoln Financial Field. The other non-conference home game will be on October 31, when Notre Dame comes to Philadelphia. The rest of the home slate includes two of the American Athletic Conference tri-champions - UCF and Memphis - along with Connecticut and Tulane.
· The Owls will begin Spring practices on Monday, March 23. Practices will continue through mid-April. Spring ball will conclude with the annual Cherry & White game at Edberg Olson Hall’s Chodoff Field on Saturday, April 25.
Kareem Ali, Jr.
High School: Played running back and defensive back for coach Rob Hinson at Timber Creek in Sicklerville, N.J. ... won 43 games in his four-year career ... was a two-time South Jersey champ after 12-0 (2011) and 10-2 (2012) seasons ... was 10-2 as a junior and 11-1 as a senior ... earned all-state, all-conference, and all-county recognition as a junior and senior ... earned a N.J. Mini Max award ... played in the 2015 US Army All-American game ... ranked as the #7 player in New Jersey and the #28 cornerback in the country ... also lettered three times in track and was the State champ in the 55-meter
Personal: Born Kareem Ali, Jr. on 7/26/96 in Willingboro, N.J. ... both parents attended Temple University ... father played football for the Owls from 1996-98 when he was known as Kareem Gilliard ... mother, Tasha, ran track ... has three brothers: Kahlil (9), KeRon (7), and Keyon (4) ... has a dog named Lily ... lists his favorites as: Friday Night Lights (movie/book), Grey's Anatomy (TV show), sweet potatoes (food) ...plans to major in finance.
Ryquell Armstead
High School: Played running back for coach Jason Durham at Millville (N.J.) High ... rushed for over 2,500 yards in his career including 1,488 yards and 18 TDs as a senior when his team went 5-3 ... holds the school single-game record with 337 rushing yards ... lettered twice in football and three times in track ... a three-time all-conference selection in track leading Millville to the county title in 2013-14.
Personal: Born Ryquell Keeman Armstead (pronounced: ROCK-well) on 10/30/96 in Bridgeton, N.J. ... parents are Tara Armstead and Rynell Lawrence ... has a sister Rochelle Armstead (17) and brother Rynell Lawrence Jr. (14) ... list of favorites include: SportsCenter (TV show), The Replacements (movie), and tacos (food) ... expected to major in education
Jeremiah Atoki
High School: Played wide receiver and defensive back for head coach Dan Russo at Vineland (N.J.) South H.S. ... as a senior, had 11 receptions for 232 yards and five touchdowns ... also recorded seven tackles, one pass break up, two forced fumbles, and one interception returned for a touchdown ... finished his career with 51 tackles (34 solos), 5.0 sacks, and three interceptions ... also ran track and won the State title in the 200-meters (22.28).
Personal: Born Jeremiah O. Atoki on 5/22/97 ... mother, LeAnne Hadnot, is a nurse.
Josiah Bronson
High School: Played defensive end and tight end for coach Rex Norris at Kentwood (Wash.) High ... had 11 receptions for 121 yards and one touchdown, plus 13 tackles for loss and three sacks as a senior .. was team captain ... also played basketball.
Personal: Born Josiah Hezekiah Bronson on 7/3/97 ... parents Sandra and Johnny Bronson ... has two brothers John (32) and Demitrius (24) ... John played tight end for Penn State and became a member of the Arizona Cardinals ... Demitrius played collegiately for Eastern Washington and is now a member of the Seattle Seahawks ... enjoys going to church ... childhood dream of going to New York City ... plans to study business and music.
Chapelle Cook
High School: Played quarterback, running back, and linebacker for coach L.J. Clark at Lakewood (N.J.) High ... threw for 553 yards and four touchdown as a senior ... in his career, rushed for 1,586 yards and 18 touchdowns on 224 carries, including 827 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior ... had two 200+ rushing games as a senior ... named one of the Top 50 New Jersey recruits ... named to All-Class B South team ... also participated in basketball and track.
Personal: Born Chapelle A. Cook on 1/20/97... mother, Nikita Smith, was in the Navy ... has one brother, Anthony Cook... lived with Coach Clark's parents to finish high school after his mom moved ... has also lived in Atlanta, Brooklyn, and Virginia ... plans to study kinesiology.
Jovahn Fair
High School: Four-year letter winner at offensive and defensive line under head coach Tim Flossie at Firestone High in Akron, Ohio ... recorded 13 forced fumbles and three sacks in senior season ... received third-team all-state, second-team all-district, and first-team all-conference honors ... played in the Summit County All-Star game ... also wrestled and ran track and field.
Personal: Born Jovahn T. Fair on 6/25/97 in Kent, Ohio ... parents are Joseph Fair and Debra Garner ... would like to be a physical therapist and plans on majoring in kinesiology.
Jager Gardner
High School: Played running back for coach Jim Lewis at Charles D. Owens High in Black Mountain, N.C. ... gained 2,776 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns on 282 carries as a senior ... broke the 100-yard mark in all 13 games ... added three touchdowns on seven catches for 260 yards ... as a junior, ran for 2,578 yards and 31 touchdowns on 266 carries ... in two seasons amassed 119 tackles, including 12.0 TFLs, and one sack ... also had 683 kick return yards and five touchdowns ... rushed for 6,955 yards in his career, which is a Western North Carolina record ... named Western Highland Conference Offensive Player of the?Year ... also played basketball and participated in 100-, 200- and long jump in track.
Personal: Born Jager Arkil Gardner on 11/12/95 ... mother is Beverly Gardner ... likes to hunt and fish.
Daishaun Grimes
High School: Four-year letter winner at Harmony High in St. Cloud, Fla., under head coach Jared Butler ... played both linebacker and wide receiver ... career numbers include 202 tackles, 18 for a loss, four interceptions, four forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries ... received all-conference and all-Orlando honors ... played in the Central Florida All-Star game ... was also a three-year letter winner in track and a one-year letter winner in weightlifting.
Personal: Born Daishaun Lamar Grimes on 1/25/97 in Queens, N.Y. ... parents are Karlene and Curtis Grimes ... has two brothers, Carlyle and Josh, and one sister, Madisen ... plans on majoring in business management.
Benson Israel
High School: Played offensive line for coach Augie Hoffman at St. Joseph's in Montvale, N.J. ... team went 8-3 his senior year to rank 5th in the state of New Jersey.
Personal: Born Benson Israel on 8/27/96 in Port au Prince, Haiti ... parents are Marlene and Bieneis Israel ... family from Haiti and immigrated to United States in 2007 ... has four brothers - all names start with "Ben" and followed by a creole word ... plans to major in mechanical engineering
DeAndre Kelly
High School: Four-year varsity player for head coach Elijah Brooks at DeMatha Catholic ... repeated as WCAC champions in junior and senior year ... received all-conference first-team and DMVelite all-DMV honors ... listed on the Top 50 list for Maryland by Rivals ... played in the Maryland Crab Bowl.
Personal: Born DeAndre Robert Kelly on 1/21/97 in Washington, D.C. ... parents are Felicia and Robert Kelly ... has two brothers, JoJuan (27) and Kendrick (23), and one sister, Kennedy (15) ... has volunteered with youth football players, the homeless, and the elderly ... list of favorites include: Law and Order: SVU (TV show), Things Fall Apart (book), and Lavar Arrington (NFL player) ... plans to major in criminal justice.
Dana Levine
High School: Played defensive end for head coach Dameon Jones at Hallandale High … had 56 tackles, 16 sacks, and six turnovers forced as a senior … team went 10-2, 7-0 in conference play and won 6A-15 District Championship, but lost in the second round of the FHSAA 6-A playoffs … named first-team 8A-6A all-county defense … ranked #28 in the class of 2015 by the Sun Sentinel … participated in the Miami Nike All-Combine in 2013 and 2014 … also ran track.
Personal: Born Dana J. Levine (pronounced la-VIN) on 12/19/96 ... parents are Tamara and Dana Levine, Sr. ... father is a detective ... originally from Philadelphia, the family moved to Florida when Dana was in middle school.
Logan Marchi
Attended training camp with Temple in August, 2014.
High School: Played quarterback for coach Jude Kelly at St. Paul Catholic in Bristol, Conn. ... threw for 3,220 yards and 38 touchdowns as a senior ... also rushed for 540 yards and six touchdowns ... also threw for 38 TDs as a junior ... in his 36 career games, amassed 9,702 yards and 112 touchdowns passing, 789 yards and 12 touchdowns rushing, along with 38 tackles and four interceptions on defense ... had 1,077 punting yards on 32 punts as a sophomore.
Personal: Born Logan David Marchi (pronounced MARCH-ee) on 2/14/96 ... parents are Michelle and John Marchi ... has an older brother, Kyle (22) ... sports management major.
Roy Pugh
High School: Played tight end and linebacker for coach Darnell Grant at Malcolm X Shabazz High in Newark, N.J. ... had one catch for 26 yards and a touchdown, as well as 22 tackles, seven sacks, one forced fumble, and a fumble recovery for a touchdown as a senior ... team went 8-4 and won the North Jersey Group 1 Championship for first time in school history ... also participated in track ... won the 400-meters (53.05) in Super Essex Conference Championship and broke school record in the high jump (6-0).
Personal: Born Roy Leon Pugh, Jr. on 10/6/97 ... parents are Willodean and Roy Pugh Sr. ... Willodean attended Alabama State and played on U.S. National women's basketball team ... has a sister, Jasmyne Beckford (25) ... uncle played college football at the University of Wyoming.
Jake Robinson
High School: Played tight end for coach Frank Delano at Haddonfield (N.J.) Memorial H.S. ... had 415 yards and 9 touchdowns on 16 receptions as a senior ... also had 41 tackles, 25 solo, 10 pass break ups and two fumble recoveries on defense ... team went 11-0 and won the South Jersey Group 2 Championship for the second consecutive year ... received Colonial Conference first-team and All-South Jersey honors ... also played basketball.
Personal: Born Jacob David Robinson on 1/31/97 in Voorhees, N.J. ... parents are Grace and Dave Robinson ... has two brothers, Drew Benson (26) and Christian Benson (22) ... list of favorites include: Anchorman (movie), Two and a Half Men (TV show), and Terrell Owens (NFL player).
T.J. Simmons
High School: Played running back for coach William Castle at Lakeland (Fla.) Christian Academy ... ranked by Rivals.com as nations #17 running back ... rushed for 1,257 yards and 11 touchdowns on 130 carries, along with 16 receptions for 113 yards and a touchdown as a junior ... went over 125 rushing yards in all 7 games ... broke his leg in season opener as a senior ... also ran track and had 11 first place finishes in competitions.
Personal: Born Treydarius Bashawn Simmons on 12/10/95 ... lives with his grandfather, Marion Ryan, and his wife Mattie Ryan, who is a pastor ... likes to hunt ... expects to major in sports marketing and management.
Cortrelle Simpson
High School: Played wide receiver for coach John Lush at Lackey High in Indian Head, Md. ... had 456 receiving yards and eight touchdowns on 23 receptions as a senior ... in his career, amassed 1,627 all purpose yards, 11 touchdowns, and 795 kick return yards ... also had 28 tackles, 10 solo, four interceptions for 141 yards on defense ... named first-team all-Charles County and all-SMAC ... played basketball ... also ran track and recorded a 4.33 40-yard dash time at Ohio State camp in 2014.
Personal: Born Cortrelle Xavier Simpson on 8/30/96 ... parents are Sherene Johnson and Corey Simpson ... one of eight kids, four brothers and three sisters.
William Updegrove
Attended training camp with the Owls in 2014.
High School: Played wide receiver, tight end, defensive end, and linebacker for coach George Curry at Berwick (Pa.) High ... team was 14-1 his senior year ... as a junior, had 61 tackles, 18 for a loss, and eight sacks ... also played basketball.
Personal: Born William Ray Updegrove on 11/2/95 in Jackson, Miss. ... parents are Destiny and Tim Updegrove ... has an older brother Austin (22) ... has a pet dog named Gracie ... list of favorites include: Watership Down (book), Batman (movie), Tosh.0 (TV show), math (school subject), and Philadelphia Eagles (NFL team) ... grew up wanting to be a police officer ... plans to major in kinesiology.
Greg Webb
Junior College: Attended Hutchinson Community College, the #4 ranked junior college team ... had 48 tackles, seven for a loss, 2.5 sacks and one forced fumble as the team went 11-1.
High School: Played defensive tackle under head coach Robert Hinson at Timber Creek in Sicklerville, N.J. ... had a dominant junior season with 94 tackles, 26 for a loss, 13 sacks and 3 fumble recoveries ... missed the first two months of his senior year with a torn ACL, but bounced back and helped team win NJSIAA South Jersey IV championship ... 2013 U.S. Army All-American Bowl selection ... All-South Jersey selection as a sophomore ... All-League selection and All-Parochial selection as a sophomore ... also a standout wrestler earning All-South Jersey honors ... went 34-2 and was District and Region champion as a sophomore wrestler ... teammate of fellow Owl Zaire Williams and recruit Kareem Ali, Jr.
Personal: Born Greg Jerome Webb III on 1/16/95 in Columbus, Ga. ... parents are Virginia and Greg Webb Jr. ... dreamed of being a Olympic gold medalist when he was younger.
Taiyir Wilson
High School: Played wide receiver and linebacker for coach Scott Reed at Perkiomen Valley High in Collegeville, Pa. ... team finished 9-3 in 2014 ... had 19 catches for 391 yards and six touchdowns as a senior ... added 174 yards and three touchdowns on 18 carries ... participated in track and field (100-, 200- and javelin).
Personal: Born Taiyir Devon Dennison-Wilson on 5/18/97 in Philadelphia, PA ... parents are Tia and Chris Holloway and dad Andre Wilson ... has a brother, Jacen Holloway (9) and three sisters, Naja McBride (19), Paradise Wilson (9), and Jenna Wilson (6) ... Naja currently attends Temple ... plans to major in sports marketing.
Dawayne Young
High School: Played defensive line for coach Ed Dunn at Martin Luther King in Philadelphia ... named to the 2014 Class AAAA Liberty all-public team ... earned all-Southeastern Pennsylvania honors.
Personal: Born Dawayne Young on 7/3/96 ... mother is Annette Thomas ... chose Temple so he could play in front of friends and family ... likes sneakers ... interested in studying sports management.
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