TOWSON, Md. – Not many programs can lose their third leading rusher in school history and reload the stable as quickly as the Towson University football team.
 
Following the 2013 season, the Tigers were forced to replace all-time leading rusher Terrance West who left for the NFL Draft.  The torch was passed to then-reigning Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Offensive Rookie of the Year Darius Victor.  All Victor did was rush for 3,309 yards and 41 touchdowns in his career.
 
Fast forward to 2017.  With Victor exhausting his eligibility and currently in training camp with the New Orleans Saints, the Tigers will once again turn to the CAA Offensive Rookie of Year: Shane Simpson
 
The torch has now been passed to the versatile Simpson.  Forced into primary duty midway through last season, Simpson went on to rush for 784 yards and three touchdowns. 
 
Simpson would record three 100-yard rushing performances, including becoming just the second Towson freshman running back (West) to eclipse the 200-yard mark with 202 yards in the victory over William & Mary.
 
"Shane is one of those players that you love to have because you can put him in a bunch of spots and create some matchup issues," said first year running backs coach Scott Van Zile.  "Now we just have to find another guy to put in the backfield if we want to put him somewhere else.  We are getting some looks with Shane in some different spots, but at the end of the day, he is going to do his work behind the quarterback."
 
The question mark this season will be who will serve as the backup to Simpson.  Although there are several options, no other back on the roster has carried the ball in a Tiger uniform.
 
"It is an exciting group to be around because they are a talented group," said Van Zile.  "The thing is we are still very young.  We only have one player at the running back position that has taken a snap in a Towson uniform.  There is still a learning curve for some of the younger guys." 
 
The most experienced member of the group is graduate transfer CJ Williams.  Williams comes to Towson after an impressive career at Bucknell where he left the school as the sixth all-time leading rusher.
 
"CJ is a graduate transfer who had a nice career at Bucknell," said Van Zile.  "He has a workman-like attitude.  He comes everyday ready to work.  He asks questions when he needs to ask questions and he just goes hard.  I think he is setting a real good example for our young guys on how you go about camp.  That has a lot to do with his experience at playing at the Division I.  He is a tough kid and we are really happy to have him."
 
Of all the running backs, James Scott has spent the most time in a Towson uniform.  Unfortunately, that time has come as a linebacker.  Scott made the move to running back in the spring and provides a heavy running style that can be very helpful in short yardage.
 
Junior college transfer David Bryant enrolled in January and participated in spring practice.  The big back (6-0, 230) came to Towson from Monterey Peninsula College.
 
Freshman Jaelen Thompson brings impressive credentials to the roster.  Thompson was named the Eastern Pennsylvania Player of the Year after rushing for 1,605 yards last season at Middletown High School.
 
"We have done a good job taking care of our bodies and staying healthy through camp," said Van Zile.  "There are still some things we need to work on, but to this point, they have continued to come out every single day and get a little bit better.  I think we are where we want to be for just over two weeks out from our first game."
 
Individual game tickets for the Battle for Greater Baltimore against Morgan State on Sept. 2 are now on sale.  Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the gate.  Tickets can be purchased on TowsonTigers.com, or by calling 1-855-TU-TIGER.