Temple's Chandler may move from corner to safety

Spring is a time for experimentation, and Temple has done that with one of its best football players. Sean Chandler, a starter his first two seasons at cornerback, has been playing safety this spring. Whether it carries into the fall remains to be seen.

"One of our goals is to always get the best 11 on the field, and we know he can play both" positions, coach Matt Rhule said Saturday after Temple's Cherry and White Game, in which the Cherry (the offense) earned a 35-25 win.

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound Chandler, a product of Camden High, has been working out at safety since spring practice began, and the position seems to suit him, because he is among the team's most intelligent players.

"At safety you have to know what every other position does," said Chandler, who led all Owls defensive backs with 65 tackles and had a team-high four interceptions last season.

Rhule said the decision on whether Chandler stays at safety will depend "on where we need him and who else is developing."

Redshirt senior Nate Hairston, voted the team's most improved defensive player in the spring, and redshirt junior Artrel Foster, both saw extensive time, mainly in a reserve role at corner last season, and both should be big contributors this season.

A wild card is sophomore Derrek Thomas, who redshirted last season and is converting from wide receiver. At 6-4 and 190 pounds, Thomas is bigger and faster than most receivers. He has spent time working with the first unit this spring.

"Derrick is a freakish athlete," Rhule said. "If he can develop over the summer, he has a chance."

Two young defenders who were impressive were redshirt freshman linebacker Chapelle Russell, who might have had the biggest hit of the game, and incoming freshman Shaun Bradley.

In other news, quarterback P.J. Walker, entering his fourth year as a starter, looked in midseason form. He completed 14 of 25 passes for 170 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions.

Adonis Jennings, battling to be the No. 2 receiver opposite Ventell Bryant, had three receptions for 27 yards and a touchdown, and redshirt junior Keith Kirkwood had two receptions for 92 yards and two scores, including a 70-yarder. Kirkwood (6-3, 214) redshirted last year. He began his career at Hawaii before transferring to Temple in 2014.

"I feel if I stay healthy and work on technique and becoming a better player, I can definitely be a tremendous asset to this team," Kirkwood said.

All-conference running back Jahad Thomas did not play. Rhule said that Thomas was a little banged up, nothing serious, but that it was not worth having him take hits.

Sophomores Ryquell Armstead and Jager Gardner split 15 carries. Both contributed as freshmen and could have expanded roles.

Walker said Thomas may play more in the slot next year to take advantage of his receiving ability.

"I think those two young guys will help us a lot, especially since we are going to try to spread Jahad around the offense a little more and keep those guys in the backfield," Walker said.

Rhule, whose team tied a school record for wins during a 10-4 2015 season, said a positive development Saturday was that nobody seemed to get seriously injured.

mnarducci@phillynews.com

@sjnard