Football recruiting: Second signing period might be quiet for Temple

When the second football signing period begins Wednesday, Temple’s overall haul is not going to look much different from the first signing period.

According to a source familiar with Temple recruiting, the Owls were not planning on signing many players if any, at least by Wednesday. As of Tuesday night the source said the Owls were talking to two different recruits but weren’t sure if either would be eventually be coming to Temple.

Whether Temple does have any additions on signing day, the Owls could be bringing in players. The source said Temple was up to 86 scholarship players, counting the newcomers, one more than the NCAA limit. Things can change over the next few months. Players could leave.

According to the source, no current players have indicated a desire to transfer despite the recent coaching instability that began when Geoff Collins left after two years for Georgia Tech. He was replaced by Manny Diaz, who lasted just 18 days before resigning to become the head coach at Miami. Rod Carey was then hired after being the head coach at Northern Illinois the previous six years.

The source indicated that Temple could also gain players as transfers, just not right away.

While everything is fluid and can change instantly, it’s likely that 16 of the 17 players who signed in the early period Dec. 19-21 will be going to Temple. A source said the only player who told Temple he won’t be attending is Mohamad Kamara, a linebacker from New Jersey’s Newark Central.

Besides the 16 who signed in December, Temple is also adding cornerback Harrison Hand, a transfer from Baylor who already has enrolled in school. Players who transfer must sit out a year, but sources have said Hand could be appealing that decision, citing the need to be closer to home. Hand is a former Inquirer all-South Jersey selection from Cherry Hill West High.

In addition to the current recruits, Temple has also welcomed running back Onasis Neeley, who counted as part of the class of 2018 but didn’t enroll in school until January. He is a graduate of East Pennsboro (Pa.) High.

Besides Neeley and Hand, other newcomers who have enrolled at Temple for this semester are quarterback Kennique Bonner Steward, running back Re’Mahn Davis, defensive back M.J. Griffin, linebacker Yvandy Rigby, and offensive lineman Victor Stoffel.

There is one additional incoming freshman on the roster, running back Tayvon Ruley, a walk-on from Penn Wood and Valley Forge Military Academy.

Name, Pos., Height, Weight, Hometown, High School

Simon Abedimungu, DL, 6-5, 221, Rockville, Md., Richard Montgomery

Kennique Bonner Steward, QB, 6-3, 215, Huntersville, N.C., William A. Hough

Re’Mahn Davis, RB, 5-9, 222, Blairstown, N.J., Blair Academy

Jermaine Donaldson, OL, 6-4, 300, Voorhees, N.J. Eastern

Kwesi Evans, WR, 6-3, 198, Parkville, Md., St. Frances Academy

Chris Fowx, OL 6-6 300 Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Archbishop Stepinac

De’Von Fox, WR, 5-10, 173, Maple Heights, Ohio, Maple Heights

M.J. Griffin, DB, 6-1, 189, Ypsilanti, Mich., Saline

Thomas Joe-Kamara, DB, 6-0, 191, Dayton, N.J., South Brunswick

Jordan Magee, LB, 6-3, 208, Dover, Del. Dover

Wisdom Quarshie, DL, 6-3, 310, Sicklerville, N.J., St. Joseph (Hammonton)

Yvandy Rigby, LB, 6-2, 205, Egg Harbor Twp., N.J., Egg Harbor Twp./Milford

Edward Saydee, ATH, 5-11, 189, Philadelphia, Penn Charter

Jacoby Sharpe, DL, 6-3, 240, Sugar Hill, Ga., Lanier

Victor Stoffel, OL, 6-8, 282, Stockholm, Sweden, Stokholm International

Nate Wyatt, DB, 6-1, 176, Somerset, N.J., St. Joseph (Metuchen)

*Harrison Hand, DB, 6-1, 192, Cherry Hill, NJ, Cherry Hill West/Baylor

**Onasis Neeley, RB, 6-0, 201, Enola, Pa., East Pennsboro

***Tayvon Ruley, 5-10, 203, RB, Penn Wood/Valley Forge Military

*-transfer from Baylor

**-counted toward the 2018 recruiting class, but just enrolled in January

***-walk-on