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Imhotep's Ruff heads Temple's 2014 class

After a career in football, Aaron Ruff wants to move to California and work for Apple. "I love their technology," Ruff said in a phone interview last week. "I love how it's set up. I've had an Apple since I was in eighth or ninth grade."

Imhotep Charter's Aaron Ruff committed to Temple. (Michael Bryant/Staff Photographer)
Imhotep Charter's Aaron Ruff committed to Temple. (Michael Bryant/Staff Photographer)Read more

 After a career in football, Aaron Ruff wants to move to California and work for Apple.

"I love their technology," Ruff said in a phone interview last week. "I love how it's set up. I've had an Apple since I was in eighth or ninth grade."

He had been talking about computers for at least five minutes in a mature baritone that couldn't have belonged to the 6-foot-4-inch, 295-pound 18-year-old from Olney.

But when Ruff talks, you listen. He said his intellect is part of what has enabled him to make the four-year transformation at Imhotep Charter from an oversize tackle to a four-star right guard who will likely headline Temple's 2014 recruiting class, which is scheduled to be announced Wednesday as part of national signing day.

The Owls are expected to sign six defensive backs, four wide receivers, and at least six other position players, with commitments from six offensive and defensive linemen combined.

Ruff is the highest-rated prospect in the class, according to Rivals.com. He said he is firmly committed to the Owls, despite offers from multiple Division I schools, including Wisconsin, Syracuse, Boston College and Virginia Tech.

Ruff, who has lived in Philadelphia his whole life, said his choice of Temple was a "family decision."

"It felt like home," Ruff said. "The coaches are very organized, respectful. They weren't rude."

"The team is very family-oriented."

The athlete

Ruff doesn't remember who the home team was playing or how old he was when he attended his first Eagles game, but he said he'll never forget the physicality.

"The contact, the running game . . . I just loved it," Ruff said. "I said, 'I want to do that when I get older.' "

Ruff said that game must have taken place long before he first played football in middle school. Ruff used to be too big for his age to play, he said. But despite his lack of experience he earned a starting role on Imhotep Charter's offensive line as a freshman.

He played right tackle for his first three years before moving to right guard in his senior season in 2013. His efforts helped Imhotep Charter (12-3) gain two 1,000-yard rushers and an appearance in the PIAA Class AA state championship game in 2013.

Panthers coach Albie Crosby said Ruff's combination of strength and footwork makes him one of the best players he's ever led in 15 years of coaching.

"Having a guy of his size and his stature being able to run around was really huge for us," Crosby said.

The student

Every school day for the last two weeks, Ruff has given up his lunch hour to interview rival student-athletes about academics.

As part of an internship, Ruff takes the daily 15-minute ride from Imhotep Charter to Imani Charter, where Ruff asks student-athletes questions about work ethic and studying habits.

"They've been saying, since they were young, schoolwork's not hard to them, but their behaviors have been getting to them," Ruff said. "[School] is hard for them because of their behavior."

A great deal has been made out of Ruff's accomplishments on the field. But Ruff will tell you he focuses his efforts on the classroom, where he has a 3.4 grade-point average and a two-part score of better than 1,000 on his SATs.

Ruff, who plans to major in technology or engineering, said he chose Temple over other D-I schools in large part because of its academic reputation.

"They have a great engineering program," Ruff said. "Why travel off so far, when Temple has basically the same thing that they have or even better?"

Temple Class of 2014

PLAYER    POS.    HT   WT    SCHOOL (State)

Shamir Bearfield    DB   5-11   175   St. Peter's Prep (N.J.)

Freddie Booth-Lloyd    DT   6-1   301   Cocoa (Fla.)

Ventell Bryant    WR   6-3   160   Jefferson (Fla.)

Sean Chandler   ATH   5-11   173   Camden (N.J.)

Anthony Davis   DB   6-1   175   Gateway (Pa.)

Michael Dogbe   DE   6-3   223   Parsippany Hills (N.J.)

Jared Folks   LB   6-2   218   Susquehanna Twp (Pa.)

David Hood   RB   5-11    190    Absegami (N.J.)

Derrick Ingram   WR   6-1   193   Jefferson (Fla.)

Cequan Jefferson   DB   5-11   175   Fork Union Military (Va.)

Shahid Lovett   DB   6-2   205   Lackawanna C.C. (Pa.)

Jacob Martin   DE   6-3   225   Cherokee Trail (Colo.)

James McHale   OL    6-6   298   Dunmore (Pa.)

Frank Nutile   QB   6-4   199   Don Bosco Prep (N.J.)

Kip Patton   ATH   6-5   230   Norristown (Pa.)

Delvon Randall   ATH   6-0   190   Gateway (Pa.)

Aaron Ruff   OL   6-4   295   Imhotep Charter (Pa.)

Derek Thomas   WR   6-4   190   Milford Academy (N.Y.)

Jyquis Thomas   DB   6-1   182   Plant City (Fla.)

Brenon Thrift   LB   6-3   230   Gateway (Pa.)

William Updegrove   DE   6-5   220   Berwick (Pa.)

Alex Wells   DB   6-0   195   ASA College (N.Y.)

Lenny Williams   QB   5-10   196   Sto Rox (Pa.)

Brodrick Yancy   WR   5-11   184   Manatee (Fla.)EndText