One of the nation’s most productive edge rushers is on the market as Temple defensive end Quincy Roche announced Tuesday he is entering the transfer portal.
Roche, a redshirt junior who had requested feedback from the NFL about his draft status, will be an immediately eligible graduate transfer with one year to play at his new school.
He was the American Athletic Conference defensive player of the year and a first-team All-American by Sports Illustrated. The Sporting News and USA Today picked him as a second-team All-American.
Roche (6-4, 235) made 49 tackles, including 19 tackles for loss and 13 sacks this season. He broke up six passes, forced a fumble, recovered two and blocked a kick. Temple finished 8-5, including a loss to North Carolina in the Military Bowl on Friday.
“Typing this message nearly brought me to tears,” he wrote on social media.
“I have made so many lifetime memories, connections, and friendships. … One of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make but after discussing it with my family, we have decided this is the best thing to do.”
He has career totals of 137 tackles, 39 1/2 tackles for loss, 26 sacks, six forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and three blocked kicks.
