Exeter grad Joey Schlaffer makes quick move in finding new football home
2026 Berks football coverage presented by
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Joey Schlaffer moved quickly in making a decision to leave Penn State.
The Exeter grad made a fast call on choosing a new football home, too.
Berks County’s all-time receiving leader has committed to play at Temple, according to the school, which announced the move on social media Thursday.
Schlaffer spent three seasons with the Nittany Lions but rarely got on the field; his only catch of the 2025 season came in September against Villanova when he caught a 19-yard touchdown from Ethan Grunkemeyer in a 52-6 win. He appeared in three games this season.
When James Franklin was fired in October Schlaffer became the first Penn State player to leave the program and announce his intentions to enter the NCAA transfer portal. He was removed from the roster on Nov. 5, according to Onwardstate.com.
Schlaffer was the first of two Berks grads to leave Penn State; Wyomissing offensive lineman J’ven Williams is looking for a new home as well.
The Division I portal didn’t open until last week but Schlaffer’s been busy in the days since. He reportedly received offers from Tulane, Charlotte, UConn, Delaware, Liberty, and Oregon State before landing close to hand with the Owls.
Temple finished 5-7 in its first season under head coach K.C. Keeler.
The roster on owlsports.com lists five tight ends, though it’s difficult to know how many of them are still with the program with the portal in full swing.
Schlaffer has two years of athletic eligibility remaining.
During his time at Penn State Schlaffer sat behind a number of talented tight ends, including Theo Johnson, Tyler Warren, Luke Reynolds, and Khalil Dinkins.
Schlaffer was redshirted as a true freshman in 2023 and did not appear in any game. He saw time in four games last year, mostly on special teams.
Schlaffer was a four-star recruit out of Exeter, ranked among the top 20 tight ends in the nation and the No. 6 prospect in Pennsylvania in the Class of 2023, according to 247sports.com.
He was a four-year starter at Exeter, playing tight end and split end, and left with 122 career receptions, 2,504 career receiving yards, and 31 career TD receptions, all program records. His receiving yards and scoring receptions remain a Berks County records.
He tied the program single-season record with 48 receptions as a junior.
Schlaffer was a two-time All-State pick.
Temple plays its home game at Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Philadelphia Eagles.
