American · 2026

Temple

2025 record 5–7 3–5 conference
Postseason No bowl
Head coach K.C. Keeler Year 2; 5–7; staff intact
Scheme Spread / Multiple
Conference
C+

Continuity + Keeler Y2 vs unproven QB and thin D starter return

Portal
C+

Portal #10 understates a retention + overall #3 HS build

Depth
B−

Healthiest offensive two-deep in the non-academy mid tier

Market odds

To Win AAC
Yes 0.00%
No 0.00%
To Make Conf. Championship
Yes 0.00%
No 0.00%
Over 5.5 wins
Yes 0.00%
No 0.00%

Recruiting ranks

Overall #3 57 commits · 202.62 pts
Portal #10 23 commits· avg 83.96

Roster notes

Leading story

Kept every returning starter

QB

Jaxon Smolik (Penn State; 0 career pass attempts) vs Ajani Sheppard after Evan Simon’s exit (school single-season TD pass record)

Skill

JoJo Bermudez, Colin Chase, TE Peter Clarke, RB Hunter Smith all return

OL

4/5 back

Defense

Curly Ordonez + Avery Powell are the clear returning starters; Jaylon Joseph (Lafayette 7.5 sacks) is the edge add

Key offense

  1. 01
    JoJo Bermudez WR
    Returning
    • 2025 (regular season): 38 receptions, 500 yds, 4 TD
    • also 150 PR yards
    • Second Team All-AAC (returner)
  2. 02
    Peter Clarke TE
    Returning
    • 2025 (regular season): 30 receptions, 483 yds, 6 TD
    • Second Team All-AAC
    • Temple TE single-season TD record
  3. 03
    Hunter Smith RB
    Returning
    • 2025 (regular season): 62 carries, 403 yds, 2 rushing TD (6.5 YPC, ESPN) — rises to lead back after Jay Ducker graduated
    • Colin Chase (40 receptions, 414 yds, 4 TD, ESPN) is close behind among skill returners

Key defense

  1. 01
    Curly Ordonez LB
    Returning
    • 2025 (regular season): 69 tackles (team lead), 1.0 sack, 3 PD, 8.0 TFL
    • All-AAC HM
  2. 02
    Avery Powell S
    Returning
    • 2025 (regular season): 54 tackles, 1 INT, 3 FR (tied AAC lead)
  3. 03
    Jaylon Joseph EDGE
    Portal
    • Lafayette → Temple
    • 2025 (regular season) FCS: 7.5 sacks, 23 tackles, 3 FF
    • Jerry Rice Award finalist as freshman