Sekou Kromah wants to change the misconceptions about Temple’s football program — and himself

For much of his football career, Sekou Kromah has been proving naysayers wrong. In his senior season at Temple, he’s helping revamp a program that features new coaches, a crop of new talent, and a belief that this year’s squad can right the wrongs that have left the Owls without a winning record since 2019.

He wasn’t surprised to hear that Temple was picked in a preseason poll to finish last in the American Conference this season. In fact, after the team’s first training camp ahead of Saturday’s season opener at UMass (3:30 p.m., ESPN+), Kromah even sounded appreciative of the doubters who ranked the Owls at the bottom of the barrel.

“I’m not going to let a poll define what this team is,” Kromah said. “We’re going to fix that for sure. We’re an underdog, we’ve always been an underdog, and now it’s time to get down and gritty, and when it’s time to do the job, we’re going to do everything in our power to get the job done.”

Kromah’s belief stems from being immersed in a philosophy taught by a coach with a proven track record. When K.C. Keeler became the Owls’ coach in December, he brought with him two national championships and experience guiding a team from the FCS to the FBS.

“He’s come in here and established that he’s here to build a championship team,” Kromah said. “You look at what he’s done before, and you know it’s possible. Who wouldn’t want to get behind that? I’m excited for this season and [ready] to put all that I have into this season and really try to become a leader of this team.”

Teammates know the 6-foot-3, 280-pound defensive tackle is a born leader; it’s why he was awarded a coveted single-digit jersey number this season, a tradition at Temple that honors a player who exhibits leadership on and off the field.

Kromah arrived at Temple as one of the most highly touted junior college players in the nation at his position. At Monroe College in New Rochelle, N.Y., Kromah had a knack for getting after the opposition in the backfield. He left the school as its all-time leader in tackles for loss with 20, the eighth-most in National Junior College Athletic Association history.

» READ MORE: What is the best-case scenario for K.C. Keeler’s first season at Temple? Bowl eligibility could be in the cards.

In high school in East Orange, N.J., Kromah fueled the team’s undefeated 2020 season with 90 tackles and nine sacks. Kromah is no stranger to having to outwork the competition; he’s done it all of his life.

“We’re all here to eat, including myself,” Kromah said. “But you can’t be successful if you don’t put in the work. I’m no stranger to hard work; I had to work my way up to get here. If we can just develop that chemistry and bring the young guys up, too, then I know we’ll step out on that field as one, for sure.”

It’s a daunting task for a team looking to find its footing. Temple’s early season schedule offers no favors with a nationally televised game at Lincoln Financial Field against No. 18 Oklahoma on Sept. 13 (noon, ESPN2) followed by a trip to Georgia Tech on Sept. 20 (time and TV TBD).

“There’s talent on this roster, there’s a lot of talent there. We saw it after spring ball,” said Keeler, who noted the progression of a group he says will come “ready to perform” on Saturday. Keeler’s mantra? To be “unrealistic” with the expectations for this team, adding that, “If you are thinking realistically, then you should not be a part of the future of Temple football.”

From giving certain position players names like “ETs” and “Andre 3000,” enacted by defensive line coach Cedric Calhoun, Temple’s mindset is of revitalization. Kromah can get behind that.

» READ MORE: Sizing up Temple’s football roster after it received a facelift this offseason under K.C. Keeler

He already has.

“ETs are ends and tackles, and that’s what I am. I play end or tackle,” said Kromah, who was a two-way player in high school. “Andre 3000s are dudes who play nose and tackle, so we have guys who are able to play everything, and I think that amount of flexibility is something that sets us apart.”

How it will translate remains to be seen roughly 260 miles away from North Broad, when the Owls take on the Minutemen.

“We’re bought in,” Kromah said. “All of us. It’s great having seniors come back. I’m one of them because we all believe that we can be a part of something special here. I’m excited to come back and hope that I can be a part of what will be a program that will eat [the competition] year after year.”

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