News Summary
Temple University football has resumed summer workouts, highlighting a surge in talent with commitments from several high school athletes and transfers. Among the newest recruits are Zander Baptiste, a dual-threat athlete, and Charles Calhoun, an All-PSAC defensive end. Middle linebacker Jalen Stewart joins from UMass, adding depth to the roster. The combination of experienced transfers and promising newcomers aims to create a competitive edge for the Owls in the upcoming season. Fans are eager to see how the new recruits will shape the team’s dynamic and performance.
Philadelphia — Temple University football has officially resumed its summer workouts, and the program is experiencing a surge in new talent with the acquisition of double-figure high school commitments from the Class of 2026. Among the latest additions are transfers and promising prospects that could significantly enhance the Owls’ roster for the upcoming season.
One of the standout commitments is Zander Baptiste, a versatile athlete from Canada. Standing at 6-4 and weighing 185 pounds, Baptiste has showcased his skills as both a wide receiver and cornerback, primarily at Asheville School in North Carolina. Most recently, he played both ways at The Peddie School in New Jersey during the 2023 season. His recent visit to Temple culminated in the offer that sees him ready to take the next steps in his collegiate career.
Another noteworthy addition is Charles Calhoun, a defensive end transferring from Gannon University. Weighing 245 pounds and standing at 6-2, Calhoun was an All-PSAC selection last season and demonstrated his prowess on the field with 89 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks over the past two seasons. Following a memorable visit to North Broad Street, he chose to commit to Temple, despite interest from multiple schools, including a recent offer from Sam Houston State.
Jalen Stewart, a middle linebacker from UMass, has also committed to Temple following the footsteps of his former teammate, Aaron Beckwith. Stewart, standing 6-2 and weighing 230 pounds, has an extensive background in collegiate play, having participated in 32 games with 14 starts at UMass. In 2024, he led the Minutemen with 77 tackles. His commitment comes after he found out about an extra year of eligibility granted to him by the NCAA, allowing him to transition into the Temple program after entering the transfer portal in March.
Calhoun and Stewart are both critical additions as they each have one more season of eligibility remaining. Their experiences at prosperous programs bring depth and leadership to a Temple team eager to capitalize on their new recruits.
The Owls are also evaluating transfer talent, including Masiah “Swish” Gilyard, who recently completed an official visit. As a standout at Manhattan, Gilyard averaged 11.2 points and 7.3 rebounds per game last season, starting all 31 games. He delivered an impressive shooting performance, hitting 49.8 percent from the field and 31.4 percent from three-point range, contributing to Manhattan’s decent season with a 17-14 record. Gilyard previously made waves at Blinn College, where he helped his team to a remarkable combined record of 46-16 across two seasons and earned All-Region First Team honors during his sophomore year. Notably, he was also recognized as Staten Island Player of the Year in high school, further underscoring his athletic prowess.
The influx of new talent comes at a pivotal time as Temple prepares for an exhilarating season ahead. With a blend of proven athletes and promising newcomers, the coaching staff is focused on creating a strong team dynamic as summer workouts progress. The combination of high school commitments, key transfers, and a renewed commitment to developing players is set to shape the future of Temple football in the upcoming collegiate football seasons.
As the summer months continue, fans and supporters alike will be watching closely as Temple football solidifies its roster and gears up for a competitive season marked by potential and promise.
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Additional Resources
- 247Sports: Zander Baptiste Commits to Temple
- Wikipedia: Temple Owls Football
- 247Sports: Temple vs. Tulsa Pregame Alert
- Google Search: Temple Owls Football
- 247Sports: Temple Football Transfers
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