WARMINSTER, PA – For the Temple Owls, this past football season was one for the books. The Owls took the nation by storm, beating Penn State for the first time in over 70 years, hosting ESPN’s College Game Day on Halloween during their match-up against Notre Dame and finding themselves at their highest ranking of the season – coming in at No. 20 in AP rankings and No. 21 in the Coaches Poll. The squad, led by head coach Matt Rhule, also housed the Nations best defensive player – recipient of the Chuck Bednarik Award – linebacker Tyler Matakevich.

For the Temple Owls, signing the appropriate talent to lead the team to future success is of utmost importance. The 2016 recruiting class consists of local Elite 11 quarterback Anthony Russo from Archbishop Wood High School.

Up until three weeks ago, Russo was committed to Rutgers. However, the 6-foot-4 quarterback decided to take another look at his options, Temple and LSU.

Russo ultimately deciding to play in Cherry and White.

The Archbishop Wood stand-out expressed that his decision to “Stay Home” came down to choosing what would be best for his entire family. 

Last season, Russo led Wood to an 11-1 record throwing for 2,452 yards and 35 touchdowns. Owls new quarterbacks coach, Glenn Thomas, who previously spent seven years as quarterbacks’ coach to the Atlanta Falcons, visited Russo at his home in Northeast Philly to shed some insight on how Temple constructs their offense.

“He talked about his plans for me and where he sees me fitting in with their offense and he talked about the different kinds of things he thinks about doing next season it’s just real exciting to me, so I’m really excited about being able to work with him,” said Russo.

Thomas was not the only coach who had an in-home visit with Russo. Owls head coach Matt Rhule also paid a visit with the quarterback and his parents - staying to chat with the Russo family for more than two-hours.

Russo explained that coach Rhule not only talked about football, but also spoke about the numerous business opportunities that Temple University offers its students.  

“Coach Rhule’s plan for me right now is to go to the spring practices and start to learn a little and then in the summer to go full-blast into the offense. For fall camp, same thing, to go full-blast and, if I’m ready, get a couple of meaningful series this year behind P.J. (Walker) to get some time under my belt and then to start as a sophomore. That’s the plan right now,” said Russo.

“He (Coach Rhule) also talked about all the different things the University has to offer. He talked about the various types of job opportunities in Philadelphia after you graduate and all the things around campus to get involved with and do,” said Russo. “So it was really great having him come over and sit with my family to tell us all that Temple has to offer its students.”

The following day after coach Rhule’s visit, the three-star recruit committed to being an Owl.

“I’ve gotten the opportunity to talk to P.J. a few times and he’s a guy that really knows the offense well and someone that I can learn from,” said Russo. “So if the coaches want me to red-shirt, that’s something I’d definitely take advantage of to get the year to focus on schoolwork and learning how to manage my time well.”

Russo had his official visit at Temple at the end of January. Although currently undecided, he has plans to enroll as a business major at Temple’s Fox School of Business.

Currently, the University is in the works of constructing an on-campus stadium. While Russo is content playing in the Linc, he thinks the added component of a stadium would serve as a positive impact for the future success of the program, for the University and for the City of Philadelphia.

“There’s not too many colleges across the country that have the opportunity to play in a pro-stadium. Being able to be there and think about all the times as a kid I sat in the Linc watching games, being able to actually play in there now is something that’s going to be really awesome,” said Russo.

In regards to the on-campus stadium –

“It’s something that would be huge for Temple. Being able to have the students right there to be able to walk to the stadium would be something really great,” said Russo, who would be apart of the first Temple team playing in the anticipated on-campus stadium. “The Linc is at the distance where it’s not too far away but it’s far enough for students to say ‘Ehh I don’t feel like making the drive to the Linc,’ so if it’s right on campus they can walk right from their dorm. The stadium is something that can really bring in the attendance of games and get the spirit of Temple going.”

Besides being heavily recruited by both Rhule and LSU’s coach Les Miles, Russo has been doing some recruiting of his own to entice more local stars to commit to the Temple family.

“I’ve been talking to Mark Webb, who is a junior at Archbishop Wood and is highly recruited as a receiver, and he is someone who I am trying to get to come with me,” said Russo. “A few other kids from Philadelphia, like Tyliek Raynor (who ended up committing to Temple on 1/26) the running back from from Imhotep Charter, is thinking about coming over and Johncarlo Valentin (G/DT, Imhotep Charter). I’m trying to get them to get the same concept as me to stay home and represent your home city.”

For now, Russo and the rest of Temple’s 2016 recruiting class can look forward to learning the ropes from Rhule’s squad in order to continue the teams’ “Leave No Doubt” mentality for years to come.

(Videos taken by Sal Tommassello)