Temple University Athletics
10.16.26 | Football
When emotions run high on the football field, Temple defensive lineman Joseph Auzenne is often the one reminding his teammates to stay focused on what comes next.
For fellow defensive lineman Russell Sykes, that steady presence has made Auzenne someone he can depend on, both on and off the field.
"Sometimes in games, I can get overwhelmed or upset about something," Sykes said. "He's the first person telling me, 'It's gonna be all right. Let's go, next play, move on.' He's taught me a lot, and I kind of look up to him as a big brother."
It's a reflection of the role Auzenne has grown into during his time at Temple. On the field, his impact extends beyond what traditional statistics can capture. By occupying blockers, controlling gaps, and creating opportunities for his teammates, Auzenne contributes to the defense in ways that aren't always individually recorded.
"I definitely have always had a help-out-any-kind-of-way mentality," Auzenne said. "I feel like, as far as we're trying to get, everybody's got to do their job. If I've got to do my job, I'm going to do my job."
That mentality has been shaped by a football journey that began more than 1,000 miles away from Philadelphia.
A native of Leesville, Louisiana, Auzenne grew up in a family with deep ties to nearby Fort Johnson. His father, Joseph Auzenne Sr., served in the Army for more than 23 years and now works in information technology on the military installation. His mother works as a sexual assault counselor at Fort Johnson, while both of his older siblings also hold contracting positions on post.
The youngest of three children, Auzenne spent much of his early childhood with his brother and sister before they moved out when he was in the fifth grade. With a considerable age gap between them, he eventually settled into what he described as an "only child lifestyle."
Football wasn't always a major part of that childhood.
Auzenne didn't begin playing until seventh grade, and he readily admits that his early days on the field weren't particularly impressive. With the help of his father, however, he began putting in the work to develop his skills.
"My dad started working out with me, making me lift weights and get faster," Auzenne said.
Neither had all the answers when it came to developing as a football player, but they were committed to figuring it out together. They traveled to cities like Houston, Texas, to work with trainers, gradually building the foundation that would allow Auzenne to continue his football career.
His development eventually brought him back to the Houston area, this time to live with his aunt just outside the city. Auzenne transferred from Leesville High School to C.E. King in Texas, where he embraced the opportunity to compete at a higher level.
Although he grew to appreciate his time in Texas, his connection to his home state remained strong.
"I gotta rep Louisiana," Auzenne said.
After high school, Auzenne's path continued through Louisiana Tech before taking him back to Texas, where he attended Kilgore College. From there, he narrowed his next destination to Old Dominion and Temple, ultimately choosing to continue his collegiate career in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia's urban environment offered something different from the communities he had grown up in, but it was a familiar Louisiana connection that helped make Temple feel like the right destination.
Former Temple defensive line coach Kevon Beckwith, also a Louisiana native, played an important role in Auzenne's decision to join the Owls.
"He influenced me a lot to come here because he was from the state that I came from," Auzenne said. "It was a big Louisiana influence up here."
The move north brought its own adjustments. Accustomed to the space and slower pace of life in Louisiana, Auzenne found himself adapting to the crowded streets and closely packed buildings of Philadelphia.
His teammates helped ease that transition, and over time, Auzenne began establishing the relationships that would make Temple feel like home.
Among those relationships, his friendship with Sykes has become particularly meaningful.
The two arrived at Temple around the same time in 2024, and Auzenne quickly found someone he could connect with both on and off the field.
"Me and Russell Sykes got here at the same time, around 2024," Auzenne said. "Ever since then, he's been my best bud."
Sykes remembers Auzenne as the first defensive lineman he met when he arrived on campus. What began as a casual conversation quickly developed into a close friendship built around their shared experiences.
Away from football, the two spend time watching film, grabbing food, and shopping together. On the field, their relationship has developed into a source of mutual support.
For Auzenne, being a good teammate means more than simply handling his own responsibilities. It also means being someone others can turn to when they need guidance.
"He's a great leader," Sykes said. "He loves to do everything right, and he takes coaching very well. He's been doing a great job this season being a leader of the D-line and being a good backbone for me."
That leadership has become increasingly valuable as Auzenne has taken on a veteran role within Temple's defensive line room.
Under head coach K.C. Keeler and his staff, Auzenne has embraced a coaching philosophy that emphasizes both individual development and accountability.
"I like how Coach Keeler runs his program," Auzenne said. "Coach Keeler lets his players be his players. He's going to mold you into being a better player."
Auzenne has also appreciated the attention to detail brought by the defensive coaching staff, particularly its willingness to go beyond the basics when teaching players their responsibilities.
That emphasis on development has coincided with increased depth along the defensive front, something Auzenne believes has made a significant difference for the Owls.
He pointed to Kevin Hornbeak, Kaleb Artis and Davier Bishop as additions who have strengthened the position group and made the day-to-day experience more enjoyable.
"While I've been at Temple, we've never had this much defensive line depth," Auzenne said. "They definitely help on and off the field. Real great guys, real good football players."
Within that group, Auzenne has continued to embrace the responsibilities that comes with playing along the defensive front.
His role often involves disrupting blocking schemes, controlling gaps and creating opportunities for linebackers and other defenders to make plays. Those contributions are essential to the success of the defense, even when traditional statistics don't provide a way to measure them individually.
Auzenne recognizes that his work can be just as valuable without an individual statistic attached to it. For him, the responsibility is simple: execute his assignment and trust his teammates to do the same.
That approach extends beyond his own play. Whether he's helping Sykes understand an assignment or encouraging a teammate to move past a frustrating moment, Auzenne has become someone others can rely on.
And while his leadership is evident on the field, those closest to him also know a different side of his personality.
"Probably his sense of humor," Sykes said when asked about his favorite thing about Auzenne. "You know how somebody can have a niche reference? You say a niche reference around him, and he's going to get it instantly."
It's that balance of humor, dependability, and leadership that has helped Auzenne develop into an important presence within the program.
As he looks toward the future, Auzenne isn't ready for his football journey to end. He intends to pursue an additional year of collegiate eligibility while continuing to work toward his goal of playing at the professional level.
"I'm going to take it as far as I can," Auzenne said.
From a seventh grader learning the game in Louisiana to a veteran defensive lineman helping guide his teammates in Philadelphia, Auzenne's journey has been defined by persistence, adaptability, and a willingness to put in the work.
Whether he's creating opportunities for his teammates on the field or providing guidance away from it, Auzenne has established himself as someone the Owls can depend on.
As Sykes put it, Auzenne is "a very good player, a very good leader, and an even better brother."
