Quartet of Temple Wildcats Football Players Sign to Play College Football

Two Temple Wildcats football players signed letters of intent to play Division I FBS football while two more signed to play at the next level on National Signing Day Wednesday afternoon at Temple High School's gymnasium.

Offensive lineman Travis Lock will be playing college football at Stephen F. Austin University while running back Marques Hatcher will get a chance to start his college football at Navarro Junior College.  Hatcher will have his chance to shine at the FBS level after graduating Navarro.

For running back Jeff Carr, known as Juke God to his teammates and fans, put up unworldly numbers over the past two seasons, but for some reason didn't have an offer on the table from anyone other than New Mexico St. at the FBS level of college football.  That all changes with improved grades.  Jeff got interest from two Big 12 schools Kansas and Oklahoma St.

I received a call from a relative on Monday asking me about Jeff Carr.  He's a huge OSU fan and wanted to know about this last-minute commitment.  I told him Jeff is a mix between Barry Sanders and Darren Sproles.  He's undersized, but he'll fit perfectly into OSU's wide open offensive attack.  Committing to a team with few options at running back means Jeff will have a chance to continue the dazzling display we saw over the past two seasons at Temple sooner rather than later in Stillwater.

Mr. Everything for the Temple offense this season and last was Chris Minter.  Coach Spradlin had the luxury to use Minter at tight end, fullback, H back or even in the slot.  The blocking ability of Minter alone should have garnered more interest than what he actually saw, but his ability to catch and move with the ball in his hands brings an extra element to his skill set.

Minter's got the size to impact the running game, and he's got the feet and hands to receive the ball, even in a crowd.  Chris Minter committed today to play college football alongside teammate Chad President at Tulsa University.  Both President and Minter could see playing time together in the near future.

These signings today mean that these young men will not only be playing football at the next level, but they'll also be given every opportunity to get a free education and come out on the other end as college graduates with a solid future ahead.