Inside the Pocket: A Look at the QBs

PHILADELPHIA - For most Temple football fans the number 11 is recognizable as the number that quarterback P.J. Walker wears as he has started 19 consecutive games for the Owls. But even some of the most devoted Temple football fans are unfamiliar with the other Owls' quarterbacks. Since Walker is a well-known commodity lets meet the other quarterbacks in numerical order.

All four of these guys have very different stories and took unique routes on their way to Temple. Let's find out more about how things are going for them at Temple and some things they are looking to do this season.

Logan Marchi, number 12, is a 6'1" true freshman out of Bristol, Connecticut and St. Paul Catholic High School. Marchi was part of the 2015 recruiting class and enrolled at Temple just before National Signing Day this year. He threw for over 3,000 yards and 38 touchdowns in his senior season of high school and comes to Temple as the youngest quarterback on the roster.

When asked about the differences thus far between college and high school Marchi said, "Things move a lot faster, it is much quicker, and especially here at practices they try to throw a lot at you and see what you can pick up and how you respond to being put under pressure." He also talked about the chemistry inside the quarterback meeting room saying "the comradery in the room between the guys is pretty good right now and we're all just trying to get better and help each other out." As a true freshman Marchi is looking to gain experience and learn from the other guys. He also talked about how he wants to become a quicker decision maker this season.

The next guy is number 13, Tim DiGiorgio who is going into his third season at Temple. DiGiorgio, the only left-handed quarterback on the roster, redshirted in 2013, which was his freshman season. Standing at 6'3", DiGiorgio saw game action twice last year against Vanderbilt and Delaware State. He is a redshirt sophomore from Philadelphia and attended Frankford High School. He threw for over 4,000 yards in his career with 44 touchdowns.

DiGiorgio talked about why he redshirted and how it helped him, "I think it was good for me because I don't think my body was ready to play college football, I was able to put 10-15 pounds on and learn the game because it was a big change from where I came from." DiGiorgio said all the guys in the room coach each other. "We all try to help each other and when we see something we will all point it out and explain it."

John Loughery is a 6'4" redshirt junior who has been at Temple since the beginning of 2015. He is a native of Wayne, Pa. and attended the William Penn Charter School. He threw for 4,950 yards and 48 touchdowns in high school and graduated as the leading passer in school history. Loughery transferred to Temple from Elon University after the 2014 season in which he saw action in 11 games. As a redshirt junior he is the most senior member of the quarterbacks but he has been here at Temple for the least amount of time.

Loughery talked about what the transfer has been like and how he has interacted with the other quarterbacks since arriving on campus. He said, "Getting my feet wet in the spring was good and the transition has been very smooth. The biggest thing is that I was friends with some of the guys on the team before I got here so the adjustment was very easy." Loughery as the eldest member of the quarterbacks spoke highly of all the other members saying "P.J., Frank, Logan, and Tim we all help each other out, support each other, and when someone has difficulty we ask questions and everyone's capable of helping each other out." Finally he said "I am just looking to get better every day; get through my progression quicker and not turn the ball over."

The quarterback wearing number 18 is Frank Nutile. He is a 6'4" redshirt freshman from Wayne, N.J. Nutile injured his knee during the first week of summer camp last season and therefor redshirted his freshman season. He attended Don Bosco Prep and finished his career with 3,100 yards and 28 touchdowns.

Nutile spoke about his redshirt season and how the unfortunate injury helped him. "I think it helped me a lot from the mental standpoint with being in meetings, watching practice and film, and understanding the game and becoming a better quarterback." As a true freshman last season Nutile also received a lot of help from the other quarterbacks on the roster. "P.J. and Tim helped me a lot, they really took some time to go over concepts with me and reading defenses and it helped me out greatly." Nutile is still one of the younger quarterbacks on the roster but he is looking to become a smarter and more decisive quarterback throughout this season and beyond.

There are five quarterbacks on the roster and all five have different skill sets and abilities. That creates great competition and also can be very beneficial to the other quarterbacks. You can tell by the way these guys talk that although they all get along and support each other, each one is competing for playing time and plans to be ready when their number is called.

Inside the Pocket: A Look at the QBs

Players Mentioned

Tim DiGiorgio

John Loughery

Logan Marchi

Frank Nutile

Phillip Walker

Temple University Athletics