Every once in a while, someone comes from out of nowhere to surprise the Temple football community.

Who would have thought, for example, that an obscure running back from Gainesville, Fla. named Kenny Harper would be such a leader of the 2014 Temple Owls or that a fullback named Nick Sharga would be the guy to a power offense built around his skills that led to a couple of double-digit win seasons?

Sharga is now a priest and we can only thank God for him.

Harper was the guy who got up at the end of the end of a 6-6 season in 2014 and told the team to “leave no doubt” the next season.

They did not, going on to the first of consecutive 10-win seasons and a couple of appearances in title games.

Sharga helped facilitate those wins by being the lead blocker for running backs Jahad Thomas and Ryquell Armstead, the epitome of Temple TUFF, and keeping the offense on the field for 7-8 minutes of each quarter and keeping other offenses off the field. That helped the defense stay rested and effective unlike the first two years of Matt Rhule’s spread offenses.

Now it is time for a new generation of guys with “special qualities” and, just from watching the Cherry and White game, some Temple fans are able to identify at least five:

One, linebacker Antwone Santiago __ Santiago made plays all over the place in the month-long spring practice and had perhaps his best outing at Cherry and White. Drayton: “He’s got a chance to be a special player here at Temple,” after the game. Still, he’s 6-3, 215 and to play effective linebacker he needs to both put on weight and hit the weight room in the next few months ahead.

Two, wide receiver Dante Wright __ Wright didn’t make first-team freshman All-American at Colorado State for fraudulent reasons. He was an impact player for the Rams and, last year, at Temple, was the Owls’ best receiver. He’s a terrific punt returner as well.

Three, defensive end Tra Thomas__ In a 27-23 loss to a bowl team (USF) last year, Thomas had a a pair sacks and had a career-high tackles (8) against Rutgers last year and, at times, looked unblockable against a Big 10 team. He had a great spring and appears poised to give the Owls one of the top edge pass rushers in the AAC.

Four, tight end Reese Clark__ A star for a three-time large school Pennsylvania state champion, St. Joseph’s Prep, Clark caught the lone touchdown pass in a 41-7 loss to Miami last year. Now, out from under the shadows of David Martin-Robinson, Clark is going to get plenty of opportunities to display his pass-catching and tackle-breaking ability at the position.

Five, running back Antwain Littleton _ At 6-1, 265 pounds, Littleton was a load to bring down at St. John’s (D.C.) and then, “slimmed down” at 6-1, 235 at Maryland, Littleton was able to make an impact in the running back rotation at a Big 10 school. When he left, Maryland head coach Mike Locksley bemoaned that his “second-team running back” demanded $100K or he would leave. Littleton was the only guy who fit that description and, hopefully, the Owls will get their money’s worth this season.

In a sport where 22 guys start, are five enough to produce a winning team?

No, but the past has shown that guys come out of nowhere and lead Temple football to big things and maybe that kind of history can repeat itself. The spring has shown Temple certainly has those guys in the building.

Monday: Splash Alert