Temple football: Will Owls continue bowl streak in 2020?

Usually-solid defense will be tested due to a lot of roster attrition

One of the calling cards of Temple’s rebirth over the last decade has been the defense. The Owls have been producing NFL-caliber talent year after year, but this year they will have a lot of unproven guys at each level of the defense.

Last year’s AAC defensive player of the year Quincy Roche has taken his talents to South Beach and he was one of the best pass rushers in the country last season, recording 13 sacks, and he will be difficult to replace. The interior of the defensive line is intact with Daniel Archibong and Ifeanyi Maijeh both back to anchor the defensive line. Wake Forest transfer Manny Walker will have to help the pass rush with Roche no longer in Philly.

The linebacking corps is going to have to replace their top three tacklers from last season and they will be relying on West Virginia transfer Kwantel Raines to make a big impact and help keep the Owls’ defense on top in the AAC.

Isaiah Graham-Mobley has experience and will be looked to fill one of the starting linebacker spots. Senior Will Kwenkeu is expected to start for the first time as well. This is the most unproven group on the defense and the one that will need to be improved fast for the Owls to return to the postseason.

The secondary is losing three of its top four players, but is returning two talented players in cornerback Christian Braswell and safety Amir Tyler will be expected to be big time contributors and bring experience and leadership to the defense. The other starting cornerback is Linwood Crump, who is a senior with some starting experience, but is coming off an injury that hindered him last season.

This group has the most proven playmakers and will need to be solid from the get go if Temple is going to win games and remain a top defense.