A look at the Temple football team’s offense

This year’s Temple offense has all the ingredients to be among the better ones in the American Athletic Conference -- a top-flight line, an experienced quarterback, and some play-making receivers. The key will be the running game, and even with that there is great promise, just not a lot of proven production.

Here is a look at Temple’s offense, position by position.

QUARTERBACK

Recent seasons have seen quarterback battles at Temple, but this year it would be surprising if redshirt junior Anthony Russo didn’t open the season as the Owls’ starter.

Only an injury could derail Russo. He did miss two weeks in the preseason with a calf injury but returned to practice on Monday.

He became the starter in the third game last season after Frank Nutile was hurt, and led the Owls to a 35-14 win at Maryland that turned around their 8-5 season. Temple entered the game 0-2 and another loss might have led to a deeper downward spiral.

The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Russo has an extremely strong arm, and can make all the throws. Last year he had too much confidence in his arm, throwing 14 touchdowns, but also 14 interceptions, while completing 57. 4 percent of his passes for 2,563 yards.

Russo has said all preseason that he can’t relax because there are some talented players behind him. Redshirt sophomore Todd Centeio is a major dual threat. It’s possible that offensive coordinator Mike Uremovich can have some running packages for Centeio.

Unlike last year when Centeio was the protector on the punt team, he is just playing quarterback. Many have suggested he could be a running back, but Temple insists he is a quarterback and if Russo is injured, he would be the man.

Redshirt freshman Trad Beatty, a 6-5, 220-pound left-hander, has made great strides, according to the coaching staff. Beatty has good mobility and can throw on the run. He has made more strides probably than any of the quarterbacks.

True freshman Kennique Bonner Steward (6-3, 220) has great athletic ability but likely won’t see action unless there are injuries at the position.

RUNNING BACK

This is the biggest offensive question mark. The most challenging task is replacing Ryquell Armstead, a fifth-round draft choice of the Jacksonville Jaguars who rushed for 1,098 yards (5.2 avg.) and 13 touchdowns.

Temple could employ a running back by committee; the two leading candidates are graduate student Jager Gardner and redshirt freshman Kyle Dobbins.

It will be a relatively inexperienced unit. Gardner had a career-high 65 carries last year and Dobbins didn’t get a single carry.

Also bolstering the position could be Isaiah Wright, Temple’s most explosive offensive player. Even though Wright will likely play receiver most of the time, he could end up in the backfield on occasion, taking straight handoffs.

He doesn’t have blinding speed but great elusiveness.

A player to watch is true freshman Re’Mahn Davis (5-9, 210) who could provide an outside burst. Davis was one of the stars of the preseason, but as a young back he has to work on his pass protection and receiving. Still, he has the best home-run ability of all the backs.

Another person to watch is linebacker Shaun Bradley, who could get some carries. He played running back at Rancocas Valley High School and is among the top athletes on the team.

WIDE RECEIVER

This is a deep position, led by Wright and redshirt junior Branden Mack, who both earned single-digit jersey numbers with their toughness. Mack (6-5, 220) gets good separation and can be a nightmare to defend in the red zone. He is the leading returning receiver after catching 44 passes for 601 yards and five touchdowns. Wright is one of the most dangerous players in college football. Coach Rod Carey has vowed to do is get him the ball more. Last year he caught just 33 passes for 368 yards and three touchdowns.

Redshirt sophomore Jaden Blue had a strong preseason and is slated to be the third starting receiver.

Senior Randle Jones, who has battled injury early in the preseason, had 23 receptions for 445 yards (19.3 avg.) and four touchdowns, and provides good speed.

Redshirt sophomore Jeremy Jennings who began his career as a receiver and moved to running back last year, is again at receiver and should see time in the slot. He is among the fastest players on the team. A player who has been drawing raves in camp is redshirt freshman Jose Barbon (6-foot, 185). Redshirt freshman Kadas Reams looks to push for playing time.

TIGHT END

This was an underutilized position last year and likely won’t be this year. Redshirt junior Kenny Yeboah (6-5, 240) is a potential matchup nightmare. He was a receiver in high school and still runs like one, yet he has bulked up. Last year he had 13 receptions for 154 yards and a touchdown. He is considered an NFL prospect.

Yeboah should be utilized more when healthy, but right now, he is dealing with a hamstring injury and is not ready to go, according to Carey. Redshirt freshman David Martin-Robinson (6-4, 245) is a player similar to Yeboah. He kept his redshirt by playing the maximum four games.

Even with a healthy Yeboah, Martin-Robinson, who has enjoyed a great camp, should see ample time.

OFFENSIVE LINE

This is one of the stronger units, but Uremovich was looking for depth during the preseason. Only one starter, guard-tackle Jalen Robinson, has departed. Matt Hennessy (6-4, 295) could be among the best centers in the country, and fellow graduate student Jovahn Fair (6-2, 315) was a second-team all-AAC selection. Redshirt junior guard Vincent Picozzi (6-4, 305) made 13 starts last season.

Two true sophomores look to man the tackle spots. Adam Klein (6-5, 295), from Episcopal Academy, was the only freshman in the country to start at right tackle for at least nine games. He made 10 starts. Classmate Isaac Moore (6-7, 305) appeared in all 13 games.

Among candidates for backup roles are redshirt sophomore Griffin Sestili (6-3, 295), junior college redshirt sophomore J.D. Gomez (6-6, 305), and redshirt freshman David Nwaogwugwu (6-5, 295).