This year’s Boca Raton Bowl will see a matchup of two talented teams with legitimate NFL prospects on their roster looking to end their season on a high note after both saw promising starts culminate in disappointing finishes.
By: Uri Piterberg
Temple were off to the best start in program history, opening the season with seven straight wins before losing to 9th ranked Notre Dame. The Owls won their division despite a disappointing loss to South Florida but lost their conference title game and a chance at a new years eve bowl appearance to Houston.
Toledo also began their season with seven straight wins and a consequential top 25 ranking before falling to Northern Illinois in a home loss. With a conference title game appearance still in their site, the Rockets dropped another home game to an unranked conference opponent, this time to Western Michigan, ending their season in rather anticlimactic fashion.
Temple
Tyler Matakevich, LB (6’0 232)
The AAC defensive player of the year, Matakevich is the engine that makes Temple’s defense run. Quick and aggressive off the snap, the senior linebacker shows a tremendous understanding of blocking schemes and reads the motion of the offensive line to burst into gaps and blow up running plays. Despite not being overly bulky, Matakevich is an explosive and fearless athlete, and has the ability to blow up offensive linemen in the open field. Often lining up in man coverage in passing situations, Matakevich also has good foot quickness and fluidity that make him a difficult defender to shake on short routes.
Matt Ioannidis, DT (6’3 295)
Active and strong defensive tackle that can be a real thorn in the side of offensive linemen as he simply refuses to relent to being blocked. Plays on the balls of his feet with tremendous lean and leverage, and gets into opposing blockers quickly off the snap. Active and quick hands coupled with a strong upper body make him difficult to control. Surprisingly light on his feet and fluid, allowing himself to influence plays that go away from him (This happens a lot as opposing offenses avoid running at him like the plague, especially in short yardage)
Kyle Friend, C (6’2 305)
Aggressive, heady center with the demeanor pro-scouts like to see in interior linemen. Friend fires off the snap with impressive quickness and can jar opposing linemen and gain control of them using strong hands and a good stout base. The senior pivot man’s extension following his initial punch is excellent and helps negate his lack of foot quickness.
Tavon Young, CB (5’10 190)
One of the 2016 draft’s best slot cornerbacks, Young has quietly been one of the biggest reasons for the Temple defense’s success. With quick hips in the short area and vertical speed once he reacts to deep routes, Young turns and runs with all types of receivers. His finishing ability at the catch-point may remind NFL teams of Malcolm Butler, which is a lofty but not unfounded comparison.
Dion Dawkins, LT (6’5 315) (JR)
Under the radar tackle with a number of traits that scouts look for in blind side protectors. Possesses long and impressively defined arms that make it very hard for opposing rushers to get in to his body. When his pad level is where it should be he shows the ability to effectively bump and steer his opponent. Fluid and flexible in the lower body, flashing the ability to turn his hips and ride opposing pass rushers past his quarterback. May stay in school another year but with his length and flexibility absolutely has a future in the NFL.
Toledo
Kareem Hunt, RB (5’11, 225)
Compact, balanced runner with some nice jitter to his game. When Hunt plants his foot in the ground and decides to turn upfield he can be difficult to slow down. Gains momentum while bouncing off of tacklers due to his pad level and impressive balance. At times runs like he believes nobody has a right to bring him down. Can be shifty in the open field and varies his speed well, effectively setting up defenders and forcing them to play on their heels. Good leg definition makes him difficult to bring down and allows him to burst through his share of arm tackles.
Alonzo Russell, WR (6’4 200)
Long striding, rangy receiver prospect that can threaten the deep half of the field. Long stride puts opposing defensive backs under attack quickly and can get behind a defense when allowed to get into his stride. Locates the ball very well and also possesses the balance and fluidity to pluck it in without breaking his stride. Major threat to win jump balls due to his length and athleticism and has flashed the ability to make acrobatic, high degree of difficulty catches on numerous occasions.
Trent Voss, OLB (6’2, 240)
Edge rusher with good length. Comes off the ball low and has the flexibility to duck under opposing linemen and sharpen the edge. Has a very good downhill burst and can suddenly accelerate to get shoulder to shoulder with his blocker. Effective in coverage, playing light on his feet and covering ground quickly with a good burst to close on the ball.
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