The Temple football team’s depth chart lists two kickers – redshirt senior Jake Brownell and true freshman Brandon McManus.
McManus brings a strong pedigree. He is the first scholarship kicker recruited in Coach Al Golden’s four-year tenure, and he was receiving interest from several Big 10 schools before picking the Owls.
But Brownell has 35 games of collegiate experience and several big kicks on his resume. He doesn’t plan on giving up his position without a fight when training camp opens on August 3.
“Competition will make you better,” Brownell said at Temple’s Down the Shore event in Ocean City, N.J., on Saturday. “You just embrace it, and the better kicker will win. It’s what we do here. We compete to win a spot every year. That’s what I’m going to do.”
Golden said he wouldn’t overlook Brownell’s experience in his decision if the competition is close.
“(McManus) has got a shot to compete,” Golden said. “At the end of last year, people asked me if it was time for a youth movement, a chance to get extra guys in. I said unequivocally, ‘No.’ It’s a time to honor the guys for what they’ve been through, what they’ve been doing and what they led us out of. The (kicking) job is going to go to the person who performs the best, but experience is a factor.”
Brownell started strong last year, but after hitting a 45-yard field goal in the fourth game against Western Michigan, he missed his last two chances, one hitting the upright, in a 7-3 loss. He didn’t play the next game – the only contest he’s missed his entire career – and found himself fighting for his spot every week in a mid-week competition during practice.
Brownell, who finished the year 8 of 14 on field goals and 28 of 31 on extra points, admitted not knowing if he would be kicking from game to game was challenging,
“It was tough because I had to perform (in practice) every week, and some weeks I did and some weeks I didn’t,” Brownell said. “But it was up to the coaches to put the best guy in the game, and I do what they tell me. It just showed me I have to keep a level mentality, and that’s what I’m trying to do this year.”
The kicking competition isn’t all that’s on Brownell’s mind this summer. He is planning to take his Medical College Admission Test at the end of the month in preparation for medical school next year.
Having graduated already with a degree in biology, he expects to earn a master’s in religion while playing his final season with the Owls.
“The whole process of trying to get into med school is a little stressful,” said Brownell, who wants to specialize in sports medicine and become an orthopedic surgeon. “But being around Coach Golden for four years, I’ve learned life skills and time management. It’s a challenge, but I’m keeping myself busy.”
Brownell committed to Navy out of West Deptford High School in South Jersey, but transferred to Temple in September of what would have been his freshman year as a Midshipman. After sitting out his transfer year in 2005, he was the Owls’ primary punter in 2006 and top kicker the last two years.
“I’m very, very grateful and I have no regrets,” Brownell said. “I’m getting my master’s for free. I’m going to med school. I’m grateful to be a part of this team and see us grow the way we have. The cards played out well.”
The cards would play out even better if Brownell can hold off McManus to be Temple’s top kicker in his final year.
“We have a great opportunity to do some things this year, and I’m excited to come back and be a part of the team again,” Brownell said. “Experience is a good thing to have. I’ve played a lot of games, had a lot of ups and downs. I’ve experienced a lot.
“I want to play, I want to earn that spot.”
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