Owls in no rush to name starting QB, K.C. Keeler says

By Javon Edmonds

Special to OwlScoop.com

CHARLOTTE, N.C.  — When Gevani McCoy became available in the transfer portal, Temple head coach K.C. Keeler made sure to let quarterback Evan Simon know he would have competition for the starting job. 

Simon understood, welcomed the challenge and has worked with McCoy as the two sharpen each other’s skillsets.

“Maybe the second day, third day that Gevani McCoy had been there, we have an OTA going on and Evan is coaching Gevani on some footwork,” Keeler told OwlScoop at Wednesday’s American Conference Media Days. “Evan wants to be the starter, but Evan wants to win. And that’s the thing, that’s who that kid is. He’s that rare breed that… in terms of winning, he’ll make every sacrifice.”

Simon accompanied Keeler to Charlotte with senior defensive lineman Sekou Kromah just six days before the Owls begin preseason camp. It’s Keeler’s first with Temple, and Keeler said the Owls will have offensive linemen Luke Watson and Grayson Mains, two key players who were hampered by injuries in the spring, available to compete for starting spots again on the offensive line. 

Keeler in no rush to name a starter

While the entire roster will compete for better placement on the depth chart, the battle that will catch the most eyes will take place under center. 

Simon is entering his fifth year of college football and his second at Temple after transferring from Rutgers. He threw for 2,032 yards and 15 touchdowns in nine games last season, while McCoy is coming off his lone season at Oregon State, where he showcased his athleticism, rushing for 328 yards and five touchdowns in 10 games.

While Keeler doesn’t believe in a two-quarterback system, he said he will not rush to name a starter ahead of the Aug. 30 season opener at UMass in Amherst. 

“When you start putting restrictions on yourself, it hamstrings you,” Keeler said. “I think this is one of those (situations where), you guys are gonna compete. When we know who the starter is, we’ll let you know, and we’ll just let it go.”

Keeler sees both quarterbacks contributing to the Owls and believes McCoy’s addition was a necessity, citing the need for a quarterback in case Simon gets injured this season.

Fresh focus

Temple hasn’t won more than three games in a season since 2019, and Keeler has had just four losing seasons in his 31-year career, so the hope is that something’s got to give in a positive way for the Owls this fall. 

Keeler plans to bring change to Temple. There’s a new emphasis on depth, padded practices will be reduced, Sundays are off days, and freshmen can earn playing time. 

A two-time FCS champion and the only college head coach to accomplish that feat, Keeler believes in having fresh legs on his team. He is emphasizing depth across the board and load management in practice in his first season at Temple. Watson and Mains’ injuries in the spring gave more proof to his beliefs, reminding him of his days at Sam Houston. 

“We got a chance to get other guys to play,” said Keeler, who coached the Bearkats to a 10-3 record last fall in just their second FBS season. “Going into summer camp, you feel we had five or six [offensive linemen.] Now adding Grayson and Luke, we feel like we can maybe have eight or nine that can go and compete.

Last year at Sam Houston, we played like nine offensive linemen. I thought it really helped us through the course of the season. … It’s a big difference playing 60 reps instead of playing 80 reps. If you can take 20 reps off a guy, that’s going to help long term.”

Keeler likes Temple’s two options at quarterback as well as the depth on its offensive line and in the running backs, wide receivers and tight ends rooms. In fact, there are players he believes can’t be redshirted immediately that he plans to play for four games, even if it’s just special teams, to preserve their extra year of eligibility.

The one player that stood out the most in that group of players was freshman wide receiver Ramier Hardy, the St. Joe’s Prep product who committed to the previous staff and elected to stick with Temple after the coaching change. 

“I think he can play,” Keeler said. “He’s got a great body, runs well. I think he’s gonna play for us offensively.”