Grad transfer safety joins Temple as late addition

University of Nebraska at Kearney transfer Jamere Jones announced his commitment to Temple on Sunday morning. Jones, a graduate transfer safety, joins the team after the Owls’ first week of summer camp, which began July 30.

A Maryland native, Jones spent three seasons with the Lopers after three years at Division II Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina. At Shaw, Jones appeared in nine games as a freshman in 2019, did not play in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and then played in nine games as a sophomore in 2021. He redshirted his first season at Nebraska-Kearney in 2022 before earning a starting role in the Lopers’ secondary during the 2023 season.

The 6-foot, 210-pound safety totaled 25 tackles in 2023 before taking on a larger role in the Lopers’ secondary last season. He was named to the All-Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association second team in 2024. Jones led the Lopers with 72 tackles, including an 18-tackle game against Central Missouri on Sept. 28, 2024, and added nine pass breakups and two interceptions.

According to a source, Jones is still awaiting final clearance from the NCAA but is expected to receive a final year of eligibility for 2025. If that happens, he would add depth to Temple’s secondary following the graduation of starters Andreas Keaton and Elijah Deravil. Jones gives Temple a needed boost as a tackling safety and could fill the role Keaton played. He also brings experience, entering his seventh season of college football, and joins cornerback Ben Osueke, who will be in his fifth season of eligibility.

Temple has completed its first week of training camp but there is no set timeline for when Jones will join the team. Jones is expected to eventually be able to participate in camp with the Owls.