Lakewood, N.J. offensive tackle commits to Temple

Jean Paul Rodriguez, an offensive tackle from Lakewood, NJ, has made an oral commitment to Temple.

The 6-foot-5, 280-pound Rodriguez attended Temple's football camp on Sunday. Two other former Lakewood players are part of Temple's program, redshirt freshman defensive back Amir Tyler and redshirt sophomore linebacker Chapelle Russell.

"Those guys spoke highly of Temple," Rodriguez said in a phone interview. "Plus when I was at camp I felt I fit in well."

A good student who plans to major in business, Rodriguez says he was being recruited mainly by Patriot League and Ivy League schools.

"It's a big weight off my shoulders to make the commitment," Rodriguez said. "Now I can get ready for the high school season where I think we are going to have really good team."

Rodriguez became the third player from the class of 2018 to make a commitment to Temple. Earlier this week Ronnie Stevenson, a 6-3, 200-pound wide receiver from Montour High in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, committed to Temple.

Stevenson was impressive at Temple's football camp according to a source, running a sub 4.7 40-yard dash while showing great hands.

Temple's first commitment came in April from Sayreville, NJ defensive back Eli Clark.