Last year's Towson football team had an abundance of talent and leadership on defense.
In the spring, several of those players have graduated, including linebackers Telvion Clark and Monte Gaddis along with defensive tackle Arnold Farmer and cornerback Jordan Love.
The Tigers have also played without cornerback Tye Smith, while safety Christian Carpenter and cornerback Juleon Killikelly-Lee has been limited by injuries during spring practice.
"The big mantra the whole time has been mental toughness," said Towson Head Coach Rob Ambrose after Saturday's 80-play scrimmage."What are you going to do when life is not right?"
Fortunately, the season starts in August, not on Saturday, April 26 during Tiger Bowl IV.
Some of the players who are fighting to make the team as walk-ons are actually starting. In last Saturday's scrimmage (April 20), junior Michael Kelly (5-8, 168) and redshirt freshman Alfonso Augustine (6-0, 170) were not only manning the corner spots, but they were holding their own.
"Mike is a great story," said Towson Defensive Coordinator Matt Hachmann.
"Tried out a couple of years ago, and he was ineligible at the time," remembered Hachmann. "He tried out again, and we decided to take a chance on him. Through an injury he got an opportunity, and he's making the most of it. He's done some good things. Al Augustine played quarterback in high school. Came in here and walked on. He's had a chance to start and play every rep in the spring. Those guys can provide depth."
With Carpenter nursing an injury. Hachmann has been able to experiment with true freshman Eddie Lee (6-0, 205), sophomore Jordan Mynatt (6-2, 195), and redshirt freshman Brian Charles (5-11, 175). Junior Donnell Lewis (5-10, 180) is back at strong safety after starting the year out at cornerback. Lewis recorded 95 tackles and had four interceptions, tying Carpenter for the team lead. There might not be a better safety combo in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) in Carpenter and Lewis.
"Donnell [Lewis] has had a chance to get a lot of reps and get better playing safety," said Hachmann. "We threw him in at safety in the third week. He transitioned very well and got better every week. Now he has a chance to step in and master that role. We have to get some growth out of our younger guys. Eddie Lee, Mynatt, and Charles. Those three guys have great tools. They just need a lot of reps."
At linebacker, the Tigers have to replace leading tackler Clark (145 tackles, five forced fumbles) and their second-leading tackler Gaddis (124 tackles). Fortunately, redshirt sophomore Bryton Barr returns after suffering an injury in the second game of the season. He recorded 74 tackles and two sacks in his first season and was expected to be an all-conference player in 2013.
Hachmann moved safety Walter Dunston to linebacker and rotated him with Fred Overstreet until senior Alexander DiSanzo became eligible in the last game of the regular season.
"The guys did a good job [replacing DiSanzo]," said Hachmann. "Having [Barr] back is big not only for his play, but enthusiasm and leadership. It's infectious. He has a great attitude. He got a chance to see the game as a coach [sitting out]. I'm sure it was hard on him but at the end hopefully it makes him better."
Redshirt freshman linebacker James Simms (6-3, 200) has been starting in the middle along side veterans Barr and senior Overstreet (6-1, 220).
"Simms had a bit of a tough adjustment going to college," said Hachman. "Being on your own and with the schedule. He's gotten better at handling his business. He has good natural ability. How he trains this summer and how he handles this thing will dictate how he will be this fall."
A player who showed flashes last year was Overstreet, who started two games and had 36 tackles.
"Fred needs to get a lot of reps and needs to continue to finish and make plays," said Hachmann. "Schematically, Fred is probably the smartest 'backer we've had in a long time. He can play any of the positions. He's been here for three years. He just needs to turn up his game just a little bit. He has benefitted from the fact that Monte and Telvion are not here. He gets to step into a new role. He's had a nice spring. We need him to take that next step to become a dominant football player."
Every year, there's a challenge when it comes to replacing players. Clark and Gaddis played for two seasons after transferring and accomplished about as much as any linebacker in the history of the program.
"Monte and Telvion showed the younger guys how to do it and had great mental toughness," said Hachmann. "The reason we were so successful was those guys kept fighting and kept working. They didn't let a whole lot bother them. They are going to be missed because of the type of kids they are and they really made their mark on this program. It's [the young guys'] chance to step up now. Those guys are going to be successful."
