Towson Football Two-Deep (PDF)

The Towson football team reached new heights in 2013 when the Tigers advanced to the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) title game. The veteran Tiger squad won a school-record 13 games, including three in the playoffs. Entering 2014, Towson must replace eight starters on offense and four starters on defense. Loaded with young talent, the Tigers enter the 2014 season ranked No. 7  in the national preseason FCS Coaches' poll. Before 2014 kicks off, let's take a look at a breakdown of the Tigers by position.

Secondary: Towson's secondary is arguably its best overall unit heading into the season. The Tigers return a pair of All-Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) players in junior safety Christian Carpenter and senior cornerback Tye Smith. The secondary also returns starting safety Donnell Lewis, who Head Coach Rob Ambrose describes as one of the most underrated players on the team. The spot up for battle in camp was the cornerback position opposite of Smith. Sophomore Juleon Killikelly-Lee, Jahmahl Pardner and redshirt freshman Alfonso Augustine are the top contenders. Killikelly-Lee saw most of his action last season on special teams and in nickel packages. However, he did start for the Tigers in the FCS National Championship game. Pardner is a transfer from the University of Pittsburgh. He saw immediate playing as a true freshman for the Panthers in 2012 before an injury halted his season.
 
Linebacker: Tiger fans will see three new starting linebackers when the squad opens on August 30. Senior Fred Overstreet, redshirt freshman James Simms and junior Walter Dunston are currently the projected starters. Overstreet, who played last year in a reserve role, brings knowledge and experience to a young group. He'll play on the inside along with Dunston, who started numerous games in 2013. Simms, who performed extremely well on the scout team last year, brings explosiveness to the outside. Also in the mix to produce at the linebacker spot are junior Riley Davis, redshirt freshman Zack Vogelei, junior Joe McCargo and sophomore Eric Handy.

Defensive Line: The defensive line is expected to be a strong unit for the Tigers in 2014. The unit is headlined by All-CAA first team defensive end Ryan Delaire. The senior, who's arguably the top overall athlete on the team, led the CAA in sacks, tackles for a loss and fumble recoveries. Opposite of Delaire will be junior Tungie Coker, who looked sensational in camp. He's a high energy guy who has matured a lot. Senior Drew Cheripko and junior Jon Desir are expected to start on the inside of the defensive line. Cheripko is another high motor guy who is looking to build on a productive 2013. Desir, at 6-5, 310 pounds, is a large body who provides a strong inside presence. There's a great deal of depth on the defensive line as well. Sophomore Syd Holt and junior Greg Grant sit behind Delaire on the depth chart while sophomore D'Sean Cummings backs up Coker on the outside. Redshirt freshman Clifton Jones and true freshman Zain Harps Upshur provide depth behind Cheripko, while sophomores Max Tejada and Malik Johnson back up Desir. Also in the mix at the inside spot is freshman Reece Burnett.

Offensive Line: "Young but talented" is the best way to describe the Tiger offensive line, particularly on the left side of the line and center position. Sophomore Shayne Sullivan sits atop the depth chart at the left tackle spot. Most of his playing time last season came as a blocking tight end. Freshman Jesus Barrio adds depth behind Sullivan. Redshirt freshman Antonio Harris, who was on the 2012 state champion Wise High School team, has looked good in camp at left guard. He'll be pushed by junior Derek Pittman. At center, sophomore Amos Campbell, sophomore Brady Stup and redshirt freshman Shawn Flaherty are all in contention for the starting spot. The right side of the line is also young but has seen more game experience. Sophomore Sam Evans is expected to start at right guard. He's the most experienced offensive linemen in terms of games started. He played extremely well while starting in Towson's win at UConn last year. Junior Jake Schunke is expected to start at right tackle after moving from guard last season.

Tight End: With the graduation of James Oboh, the Tigers must replace an NFL-caliber tight end. Junior Sean Mooney and sophomore Tanner Vallely could each potentially see a lot of time this year as the Tigers often use two tight end formations. Mooney is a huge target over the middle at 6-6, and he's the only player with experience at the position. Vallely, who also stands at 6-6, served as the team's part-time long snapper in 2013 and is coming off an injury. Redshirt freshman Tre' Bowens has switched from the defensive line to tight end to add some depth at the position.

Wide Receiver: After an injury-riddled 2013 season for the Towson wide receiving corps, the Tigers look to be strong at that position heading into 2014. Senior Spencer Wilkins is the only returning starter, but because of last year's injuries, numerous young players got valuable playing time. A pair of true sophomores, Andre Dessenberg and DeAngelo Stephenson, will see a lot of snaps this year. Dessenberg earned a place in Tiger fans hearts last season when he caught the go-ahead TD that led Towson to a playoff win over Fordham. Stephenson, who many of the coaches describe as a "special athlete," played both offense and defense for the Tigers last season. Senior Derrick Joseph may start for Towson in the slot. Junior Arione Scott, who showed great hands in camp, junior Willie Ponder and redshirt freshman James Harrell are all also in the mix for playing time at the wide receiver position.

Quarterback: The position battle that was on everyone's mind since the start of camp was the one at the quarterback spot. At the end of camp, Coach Ambrose announced that junior Connor Frazier edged out senior Joe Brennan for the starting spot. Frazier, who is known for his mobility, did everything the team asked last year. He played multiple positions and contributed at all of them. Most notably, Frazier led Towson's second-half comeback under center at Eastern Washington in the NCAA FCS semifinal game. Brennan, a former University of Wisconsin transfer, brings size and a big arm to the position. However, he has not seen game action in a Tiger uniform. Behind them is redshirt freshman Heath Dahlgren and true freshman Ellis Knudson.

Running Back/Fullback: Despite losing All-American Terrance West to the NFL, the Tigers are loaded at the running back and fullback position. Sophomore Darius Victor and redshirt freshman Dontea Ayres have established themselves as the top two backs. Victor, the 2013 CAA Offensive Rookie of the Year, rushed 98 times for 629 yards with seven touchdowns during his rookie campaign. He'll be challenged by Ayres, a transfer from Rutgers. Tiger fans should also keep an eye out for freshman Colby Grant, who's been at Towson since January, and freshman Marquel Dickerson. Fullback Emmanuel Holder returns to lead the way for the Tiger running backs. Holder was named first team All-CAA in 2013 and earned second team All-America honors from The Sports Network and Beyond Sports Network. He started 13 of 16 games and had 16 receptions for 172 yards with three touchdowns last year. Junior Dreon Johnson, a hard-hitting fullback out of Houston, Texas, will back-up Holder. Junior Brandon Berney will provide depth at both fullback and running back.


-TowsonTigers.com-