Temple's Sean Chandler a leader on and off the field
Sean Chandler admitted that he had been thinking about the NFL early last year. But when the Temple defensive back suffered a bruised knee in the first month of his junior season, those thoughts quickly vanished.
Sean Chandler admitted that he had been thinking about the NFL early last year. But when the Temple defensive back suffered a bruised knee in the first month of his junior season, those thoughts quickly vanished.
The injury, which was feared to be season-ending at first, cost Chandler four games.
"The thought [of going early to the NFL] was on my mind," Chandler said. "The injury changed that."
Now a senior, the 6-foot, 190 pound product of Camden High should generate plenty of NFL interest this year.
While Temple has four players vying to replace four-year starter Phillip Walker at quarterback, Chandler is the unquestioned quarterback of the defense.
Chandler didn't start the opening game of his freshman season, but he has started every other game that he has been healthy for ever since.
He'll enter the season with 36 career starts and, more important, the respect of everybody on the team.
Not overly vocal, Chandler is known for his preparation. He also serves as an example to the younger players by being diligent in his schoolwork as a kinesiology major.
Chandler, whom everybody calls Champ, has already made a favorable impression on new defensive coordinator Taver Johnson.
"He is an unbelievable guy, and when you start talking about character and some of the qualities that go into a really good defensive back, from a mind and from a physical standpoint, he for sure reminds me of Malcolm," Johnson said.
The first-year defensive coordinator was referring to Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins, whom Johnson coached when he was defensive backs coach at Ohio State.
That is heady praise for Chandler, but it is something he has received since he began at Temple.
"He is very hardworking, a humble person and a really smart guy," said senior defensive lineman Jacob Martin, who was a roommate of Chandler's as a freshman. "He is a people person, he is quiet, but when he speaks his mind, he means business."
Chandler was a starting cornerback his first two years and moved to free safety last season. Despite missing those four games because of injury, he was named second-team all-American Athletic Conference.
The question this year is what position will he play under new coach Geoff Collins and Johnson. It appears Chandler will be back at safety, but he still works at corner and could play outside in the nickel defense.
"I am the coach of the safeties, so I will try to steal him for as long as I can," Johnson said with a laugh. "But we want to put him in the best spot to help our defense."
The respect Chandler receives extends to the offense. Even the guys he makes practice miserable for have nothing but praise.
"In my opinion, Champ is the best corner/safety I faced in my college career," said senior receiver Keith Kirkwood, who had 42 receptions for 648 yards and four touchdowns last season. "Every time I step on the field and face an opponent, it's not as hard as when I go against Champ."
Kirkwood said it's a daily struggle against Chandler.
"He is physical, has great footwork, good placement where he is, leverage, he has it all," Kirkwood said. "I think he is going to be one of the best corners or safeties coming out of the draft next year."
Chandler is also a dangerous punt returner, with an 11.8 career average, and said he would volunteer for kickoffs this year.
Temple won the American Athletic Conference championship with a 34-10 win in the title game at Navy. Chandler was at his best with eight tackles, including one for loss, a forced fumble, and a pass breakup.
"It was huge to win, first because I was able to come back from the injury and also we were able to send the seniors out with a championship."
Now he is one of those seniors, and the underclassmen will do all they can to send the team leader and his classmates off in similar fashion.
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