PHILADELPHIA — Temple coach Matt Rhule announced the signing of 23 incoming freshmen Wednesday at the Owls’ practice facility.
Rhule, on his first national signing day since taking the job in January, spoke about concentrating on size and height, as well as bolstering the offensive and defensive lines.
He did so, by adding players like Semaj Reed (6-foot-7, 270 pounds), Adrian Sullivan (6-5, 270) and Leon Johnson (6-6, 300).
Temple, which will graduate 23 seniors from the 2013 team, signed 10 players each from Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Rhule inherited a tough situation. He entered the recruiting process late after replacing former Temple coach Steve Addazio. Several players, though, who previously committed to Temple before Addazio left for Boston College, decided to stick with Temple. Among them are linebacker Jarred Alwan and quarterback P.J. Walker.
Temple finished 4-7 last season.
List of football players who signed national letters of intent with Temple, with name, position, height, weight, school and hometown:
Jarred Alwan, lb, 6-0, 212, Camden Catholic HS, Cherry Hill, N.J.
Matt Barone, ol, 6-3, 285, McKees Rocks HS, Montour, Pa.
Buddy Brown, lb, 6-3, 205, Williamstown (N.J.) HS
Brian Carter, dt, 6-2, 260, Harrisburg (Pa.) HS
Jim Cooper Jr., k, 6-1, 205, Mainland Regional HS, Linwood, N.J.
Dion Dawkins, ol, 6-5, 330, Rahway (N.J.) HS
Sharif Finch, lb, 6-4, 209, Henrico HS, Richmond, Va.
Artrel Foster, db, 6-1, 180, Meadville (Pa.) HS
Zach Grant, wr, 6-0, 170, Paul VI HS, Haddonfield, N.J.
Tyler Haddock, dl, 6-2, 290, Montour HS, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Todd Jeter, db, 6-0, 169, Gateway HS, Monroeville, Pa.
Leon Johnson, ol, 6-6. 300, Bound Brook, Plainfield, N.J.
Jihaad Pretlow, ath, 5-10, 179, Blair Academy HS, Blairstown, N.J.
Shane Rafter, ol, 6-5, 284, Moorestown (N.J.) HS
Semaj Reed, de, 6-7, 270, Haverford School (Pa.) HS
John Rizzo, fb, 6-1, 221, Richland HS, Johnstown, Pa.
Averee Robinson, dt, 6-1, 265, Milford Academy HS, New Berlin, N.Y.
Adrian Sullivan, ol, 6-5, 270, Baylon (N.Y.) HS
Julian Taylor, de, 6-5, 230, Williamstown (N.J.) HS
Kiser Terry, de, 6-3, 220, Milford Academy HS, New Berlin, N.Y.
Jahad Thomas, rb, 5-10, 180, Elizabeth (N.J.) HS
PJ Walker, qb, 6-1, 195, Elizabeth (N.J.) HS
Zaire Williams, rb, 5-11, 188, Timber Creek HS, Sicklerville, N.J.
