Josh Pederson would represent a huge upgrade at TE from Kenny Yeboah and add a large family to the Temple fan base

What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.

Nobody is calling Temple football a female goose, but it’s hard to interpret Quincy Roche’s leaving the program as anything other than him screwing his teammates and alma mater.

There has been a lot of talk lately that the Owls should follow the SMU model of poaching disgruntled Power 5 players who have been second-teamers at that level and advancement blocked by more talented players. Quarterback Shane Buechele, like Anthony Russo a former Elite 11 quarterback, immediately comes to mind.

That’s just one way and, sure, the Owls should pursue players in that part of the portal who represent upgrades and fill areas of need. (We’re thinking mostly of center and defensive ends in that second group.)

There is a problem with FBS portal players. If they are not good enough to start with Power 5 teams, how is Temple supposed to beat these Power 5 teams in bowl games with substandard talent?

The remedy could rest with FCS players and other outstanding players who compete in lesser-profile FBS leagues. Last year, 19 players were drafted out of FCS schools by the NFL and those types are the players Temple should be targeting.

Look at last year’s drafted NFL players out of the FCS. One of them was Nasir Adderley, the grandson of former Northeast High great Herb (a former Temple football radio analyst).

Last year’s early-round NFL draft choices out of the FCS

Temple was lucky when it got Rock Ya-Sin to come for his final season after Presybertian went from a scholarship FCS school (like Villanova) to a non-scholarship one, like Georgetown.

Temple was instrumental in raising Ya-Sin’s stock from a UFA to a second-round pick. The Owls probably should go after those types over disgruntled FBS players because the Owls can show them what they did for Ya-Sin and these are players not only good enough to get on the field but good enough to help beat Power 5 programs, which should always be the Temple goal beyond winning the AAC title.

If the Owls are still looking for an upgrade over Kenny Yeboah (19 catches, 248 yards, 5 touchdowns in 2019), they should look at Louisiana-Monroe’s Josh Pederson (43 catches, 467 yards, 9 touchdowns), who happens to be in the portal and also happens to be Doug Pederson’s son. Doug could attend all of his son’s games easily if Rod Carey and staff are able to recruit Josh. The appeal of playing in his dad’s team’s stadium could be too good to pass up.

There’s another side of the portal and Temple should use every advantage it has. Grabbing “gruntled” FCS players should be easier than luring disgruntled FBS ones.

Monday: Tough Loss