Temple just added a major playmaker to its secondary, Dontae Pollard. The highly talented versatile defensive back announced his commitment for his final year of eligibility to Temple after an official visit. The move caps off a gritty college football journey that began as a walk-on at the University of Akron.
The 5-10 185-pound graduate transfer, spent the past two seasons starting at Samford University where he was one of the most reliable pieces in the Bulldogs' defense. Over 16 games, he totaled 42 tackles, two interceptions, six pass breakups, and a highlight reel full of smart, physical plays from both outside at cornerback and inside at nickel that led to 7.5 tackles for loss & 3.5 sacks.
Before becoming one of the best defensive backs in the Southern Conference, Pollard walked on at Akron, where he redshirted in 2021 and fought his way onto the field in 2022, contributing in all 12 games primarily on special teams.
“I walked on at Akron because I had broke my leg my senior year of high school, and me being a walk on really transformed the way I thought and the way I did things, it made me a work even harder on and off the field, and after working, and working, and working I just felt like I shouldn’t have been walk on and I had the film to prove that, so I hit the transfer portal, god willing I was able to get offers from schools all across the east coast…and Samford felt like the best fit for me.” He said on episode 9 of Theo’s Tailgate back in April of last year.
In January, he re-entered the portal, this time drawing interest from FBS programs all across the country. Charlotte, UTSA, Western Kentucky, Georgia State, Kent State, UTEP, Sam Houston, Sacramento St, and others all came calling. He visited several, but it was Temple that won out.
He's the highest-rated transfer portal acquisition for the Owls so far, per 247Sports, carrying a .8700 grade that surpasses some more well-known names. Though listed as a safety on Temple’s commitment graphic, Pollard has shown he can play almost anywhere in the secondary. Whether its flying around at safety or in the mix at the nickel spot or locking up wideouts outside the numbers, he’s bringing it all to Philly.