Three key storylines in Temple’s first Cherry and White spring game under K.C. Keeler

Temple will play live football for the first time under first-year coach K.C. Keeler in its annual Cherry and White spring game at 2 p.m. Saturday at Edberg-Olson Hall. But the roster is far from complete.

The Owls will likely add and lose players when the transfer portal opens for a second time on Wednesday. Players can enter the portal until April 25 and are free to commit to programs at any point during the remainder of the spring or summer.

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With a number of new faces competing for playing time, here are some things to watch during the Owls’ exhibition game.

Simon, who transferred to Temple from Rutgers before last season, appears to be the favorite to be the starting quarterback. He began last season as the backup to Forrest Brock, who is no longer part with the program.

Simon took the starting role in week three against Coastal Carolina last season and never relinquished it. In nine starts, he threw for 2,032 yards, with 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions, and he added three touchdowns on the ground.

Keeler said the team is looking to add another quarterback during the second transfer portal window for competition. It is worth noting that Keeler did not recruit Simon and could seek a player who allows him to run his ideal offensive style.

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Keeler and new offensive coordinator Tyler Walker have mentioned finding a signal caller who can make plays with both his arms and legs. While Simon is somewhat mobile, the Owls will likely search for more options in the portal starting next week. The team already added FCS transfer Anthony Chiccitt from Robert Morris, but he will probably serve as depth rather than a legitimate starting option.

Temple’s offensive line was a revolving door for the last five years under coaches Rod Carey and Stan Drayton. The team has struggled to find five capable players who can stay healthy and produce throughout a 12-game season.

Returning starters from last year include Grayson Mains, Kevin Terry, and Jackson Pruitt. None are guaranteed to keep their roles, but they have the upper hand heading into the spring game.

Longtime offensive tackle Diego Barajas is also back, as is redshirt sophomore Luke Watson, who missed all of last year with an injury. Watson was a productive starter as a true freshman in 2023. Keeler said earlier during spring camp that Watson still had a few hurdles to overcome before rejoining the starting group.

Redshirt junior Linus Lindberg, senior Chris Smith, and redshirt sophomore Eric King are also competing for starting spots.

Temple’s secondary looks completely different from last season. The only returner, graduate student Ben Osueke, could earn more playing time, but the program also brought in transfers Avery Powell, Omar Ibrahim, and Jaylen Castleberry. Former four-star recruit Jett White could also earn playing time early in his career.

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At safety, returning redshirt seniors Louis Frye and Javier Morton remain in the mix for starting jobs.

Others contending for playing time in the secondary include redshirt freshman Adrian Laing, redshirt sophomore Ihsim Smith-Marsette, and redshirt senior Kyle Madden. How Keeler and defensive coordinator Brian Smith rotate players in the secondary on Saturday could be key in determining which players will emerge as starters.