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5 Temple Owls Spring Practice Positional Battles To Watch In 2015

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David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

5 Temple Owls Spring Practice Positional Battles To Watch In 2015

Temple football, spring practice,
David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

Spring practice officially begins at Temple on Monday, but in reality, being a major college football player is a 365-day a week job. The regional rail that funnels thousands of commuters into downtown Philadelphia runs right by the Owls’ $ 17 million practice facility and, even on a 10-degree day in February, those commuters could see Owls dressed in shorts doing wind sprints outside. The competition focuses on these five positional battles.

5. QB: P.J. Walker vs. Logan Marchi

P.J. Walker, Temple,
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5. QB: P.J. Walker vs. Logan Marchi

P.J. Walker, Temple,
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Two years ago, Walker (No. 11) looked well on his way to being the next Teddy Bridgewater, throwing 20 touchdown passes as a true freshman. Last year was a slump that could largely be attributed to a flawed offensive scheme that gave him no fullback protection in the pocket. Marchi’s recruiting film reminds people of Johnny Manziel light, and if Owl coaches stubbornly stick to that scheme, they might need someone with Houdini-like escape ability.

4. RT: Eric Lofton vs. Adrian Sullivan

Eric Lofton, Temple football,
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4. RT: Eric Lofton vs. Adrian Sullivan

Eric Lofton, Temple football,
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Lofton (No. 71) had a rough year at right offensive tackle, typified by getting a key false start penalty in the second half at Penn State with the Owls driving and down 6-3. Head coach Matt Rhule has raved about the progress being made by Sullivan, and Lofton’s 2014 season gives him the perfect opportunity to earn that praise and win a starting job.

3. RB: Jahad Thomas vs. Jabo Lee

Jahad Thomas, Temple football,
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3. RB: Jahad Thomas vs. Jabo Lee

Jahad Thomas, Temple football,
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As a sophomore, Thomas (No. 34) had 157 yards rushing in a 36-25 win over Tulsa and then, although healthy, was mysteriously and inexplicably dropped from the game plan for the rest of the season. Lee was player of the year in South Carolina in 2011 and now appears recovered from two knee setbacks. Top recruits T.J. Simmons and Jager Gardner join the competition for this job in August, but Lee or Thomas must establish themselves now.

2. WR: Romond Deloatch vs. Keith Kirkwood

Romond Deloatch, Temple football,
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2. WR: Romond Deloatch vs. Keith Kirkwood

Romond Deloatch, Temple football,
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Deloatch (No. 84) is a 6-foot-4, 255-pound junior; Kirkwood, a transfer from Hawaii, is a 6-foot-3, 210-pound junior. Since both are similar-type receivers without blazing outside speed but tall and sure-handed, they are really battling for one spot with the Owls looking for a 4.3-type sprinter to handle the outside. They may have to wait until summer for that guy to arrive while Deloatch and Kirkwood need to step up their game.

1. CB: Kareem Ali Jr. vs. Tavon Young

Tavon Young, Temple football,
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1. CB: Kareem Ali Jr. vs. Tavon Young

Tavon Young, Temple football,
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This really is not a competition as much as a restructuring since both figure to be starting somewhere in the secondary. Ali, a lifelong Temple fan who has rarely missed a game growing up and turned down several offers from Power Five schools, already is on campus and enrolled at school. If he proves capable of starting, Young (No. 1) could be moved to a free safety position, already improving a defense that returns 20 starters.

Mike Gibson is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.
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