Playing tight end for Temple is not one of the most glamorous positions on the team. Because Temple is a running team, senior tight end Evan Rodriguez has the job of blocking as well as receiving. Rodriguez has been nationally recognized for the work he does on the field for the Owls.
Rodriguez was born on September 21, 1988 in Bronx, NY. He grew up a Dallas Cowboys fan in North Bergen, NJ where he also went to high school. "I love the sport. Once I got to high school, it(football) really opened doors for me," Rodriquez said about his high school experience.
He was team captain and named first-team All-State safety, All-Conference and All-County as a quarterback and safety, and Hudson County Defensive Player of the Year during his senior season. He also participated in the New Jersey vs. New York All-Star Game after he led his team to the playoffs.
Rodriquez also played basketball in high school and was named All-Conference. "I was always a basketball player to be honest. And then in high school, my football coach told me to give up my dreams because I'm going to be a football player in college, " Rodriquez said jokingly.
And his coach was correct. Rodriguez started off his college career at West Virginia where he was redshirted for his freshmen year. The tight end said "I didn't get along with the coaches out there." The coach at the time was Rich Rodriguez who left in December 2007 to coach Michigan. Assistant Head Coach Bill Stewart took over as head coach on January 3, 2008.
At Temple, the criminal justice major had to sit out the 2008 season under NCAA transfer guidelines.
In 2009, he played in all 13 games and started seven of them. He finished the season third in receptions with 145 yards and three touchdowns on 13 catches according to Owl Sports. In the Eagle Bank Bowl game, Rodriguez had two receptions.
In 2010, he started nine games and played in 11 total games. Rodriguez was the top receiver and third overall with 247 yards and two touchdowns on 21 receptions reports Owl Sports. He was named 2010 first-team All-MAC honoree and 2010 second-team All-MAC by Phil Steele.
Now in his final season as an Owl, Rodriguez has been very successful. In the eight games played so far this season, Rodriguez has 285 receiving yards and one touchdown on 21 catches.
He was named and awarded with Midseason All-MAC First Team on 10/21, John Mackey Award on 10/17, Phil Steele Midseason Honorable Mention All American on 10/16, Phil Steele Midseason All-MAC First Team on 10/14, Honorable Mention National Tight End of the Week on 10/2, National Tight End of the Week on 9/26, and Offensive MVP Award in the Maryland game on 9/24.
Rodriguez says his biggest influences have been his mother, high school coach, and mentor back home. "They always kept things positive for me, to look ahead and do the right things in life. They gave me a good edge," he said.
These people were another reason he transferred from West Virginia. "Temple is closer to home. It's my comfort zone," Rodriguez said. These people are closer to Philadelphia and this was important to him.
Rodriguez's favorite parts about being an Owl are "the guys around me, and the school itself, just being a part of it. You meet people from all around the world at Temple."
He has been a very successful player and hopes to continue his success in everything he does in life. "I want to own a business and since I have a criminal justice degree, I want to do something in that field," Rodriguez said.
The next game for the Owls will be Wednesday, November 2 against Ohio on the road. It will be televised on ESPN starting at 8 p.m.
