The Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl — besides having a great name — will feature a few players with NFL futures as the Temple Owls take on the Florida International Panthers on Dec. 21.
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A year after Temple had three players selected — first-round edge defender Haason Reddick, second-round offensive lineman Dion Dawkins, and fifth-round corner Nate Hairston — it looks like the Owls are likely to send another player to the next level in safety Sean Chandler.
Currently projected a fifth rounder by NFL Draft Scout, who ranks him the No. 5 free safety among those in the 2018 class, Chandler was second on the Owls' defense this year with 67 tackles (53 solo tackles — also second), and added two interceptions, a forced fumble and five passes defended.
He's got potential in zone schemes at corner or staying at his main college position of safety.
After Chandler, the pickings get a bit slimmer when it comes to the draft.
Temple's next highest rated prospect is freshman defensive end Quincy Roche, while the top-rated Panthers prospect is senior quarterback Alex McGough, who is expected a free agent pickup at best.
Other guys to watch for the future are Temple junior wide receiver Ventell Bryant, Temple junior running back Ryquell Armstead, and FIU junior defensive end Jermaine Sheriff.
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