Temple University has revealed its list of single‑digit jersey wearers for the upcoming 2026 football season, a tradition that has come to symbolize the program’s most resilient and leadership‑driven athletes.
A Tradition Rooted in Toughness
The roster includes five newcomers alongside two returning players who have already etched their names into the single‑digit legacy, continuing a practice that dates back to 2009 under former head coach Al Golden.
Among the newcomers, linebacker Eric Stuart, a fifth‑year player who earned the NovaCare Student‑Athlete Comeback Player of the Year award, joins the elite group, while tight end Peter Clarke, who topped the team with six touchdown receptions in 2025, also receives the honor.
Offensive lineman Grayson Mains, despite NCAA restrictions that bar linemen from single‑digit numbers, will be recognized with the number 57 on game days, underscoring the program’s willingness to celebrate his contributions.
Running back Sam Brown V, a fifth‑year athlete returning from Rutgers where he amassed over 800 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, comes back to Philadelphia, the city where he grew up and starred at La Salle College High.
Saboor Karriem, a senior safety who concluded his collegiate career at Illinois with a personal‑best 22 tackles in 2025, rounds out the single‑digit cohort, completing a diverse set of contributors.