TOWSON, Md. – The back end of the Towson University defense will have plenty of athleticism for the 2017 season.
 
The unquestioned leader of the secondary is Monty Fenner.  The redshirt junior has been a starter since midway through the 2015 season.  The hard-hitting safety finished last season with 63 tackles and seven pass break-ups.  He was also tied for the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) lead with four forced fumbles.
 
"We have Monty Fenner back who has set a standard for us back there," said safeties coach Joe Tricario.  "He works really hard and is doing a great job in camp.  We need him to continue to progress and play up to the next level."
 
The question that still remains is who will start opposite of Fenner in the season opener.  There has been a battle throughout camp between Brandon Shepherd and Mitch Boals.  Both players began to learn the defense during the spring, but Shepherd had the upper hand after Boals was slowed with an injury.
 
Shepherd appeared in four games last season on special teams.  Boals transferred from the College of DuPage where he posted 38 tackles during his sophomore season.
 
"We have a bunch of guys who are unproven in this league up to this point," said Tricario.  "They are fighting hard to compete to get better and learn our defense."
 
A pair of true freshman, Coby Tippett and Brion Seagraves, have been feeling their way through preseason camp in hopes of seeing game action this season.
 
The Tigers will have some experience on the outside in returning corners Lyrics Klugh and Justice Pettus-Dixon.
 
"The biggest thing I have seen is a huge maturation process with all of our guys," said cornerback coach Derrick Johnson.  "We have three young corners, and there are guys like JPD and Lyrics, who have game experience.  But, all of those guys have shown a lot of maturity in terms of learning the techniques with what we are doing with the new defense.  I think the growth has been really good for the unit as a whole." 
 
Klugh started the final 10 games of last season and finished with 30 tackles and a sack.  He recorded his first career interception against Elon to seal the victory in the fourth quarter.   
 
Pettus-Dixon made his collegiate debut in the opener against South Florida last season and promptly recorded his first interception on the second series of the game.
 
Tyron McDade has had a good preseason and will push for playing time during the regular season.
 
"The biggest surprise has been Tyron McDade," said Johnson.  "He had a solid spring, but he came back this fall more mature.  He has inserted himself as a leader amongst the group as well."
 
Redshirt freshman Jamal Watson improved during his redshirt season and carried it over to camp this summer. 
 
Newcomer Vashon McCants, Jr. has shown flashes as he continues to adjust to the college game.
 
"Vashon is extremely aggressive and he has an eagerness to learn," said Johnson.  "He has benefited a lot from Lyrics.  He is a very confident kid, which you need as a defensive back, that will continue to get better with more reps."
 
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.