TOWSON, Md. – The Towson University football team has welcomed in eight players on the first day of the early signing period for the 2021 campaign.
The eight new Tigers hail from up and down the East Coast, including a pair of Marylanders, or from across the ocean. All officially joined Towson on the first day of the early signing period, which goes from Dec. 16-18.
"This is truly a special and talented group of young men," said Towson head coach Rob Ambrose. "There are so many great high school seniors out there trying to get to the next level and COVID has created some of the most challenging of recruiting efforts in history. These future Tigers have found a way to set themselves apart on the field and in the classroom under the clouds of adversity. I am so impressed with the drive and potential these young men bring to Towson University and our program."
Gabriel Gomez – Kicker – Sophomore – 5-11, 170 – Miami, Fla. – Arizona State University
Gomez transfers to Towson after a year at Arizona State University. Originally from Venezuela, he attended Monsignor Pace High in Florida. Ranked a 4.5-star kicker, Gomez ranked third among kickers in the state of Florida and ranked 16th nationally for kickoffs.
Lyndon Johnson on Gomez: "Gabriel has taken the long road to get to Towson: from Florida, to Arizona and now Maryland. We are excited to get him here and see how he can help our Tigers get better."
Marcus Joyner – Tight End – Senior – 6-2, 245 – Camden, N.C. – Old Dominion University
Joyner will play his final year of college football with Towson after spending the last four years at Old Dominion. In 2019, Joyner played in all 12 games for the Monarchs with seven starts, making 14 receptions for 146 yards. A former three-star recruit at Camden County High, he accumulated 3,083 rushing yards and 43 rushing touchdowns as a fullback.
William Lang on Joyner: "Marcus is a unique talent with a combination of strong football knowledge, strength and speed. With his abilities in the pass and run game, we will be able to diversify more aspects of our offense as a team. Having him join the team next semester can only help with the development of the team."
Isaiah Perkins – Wide Receiver – Freshman – 6-2, 190 – Laurel, Md. – St. Vincent Pallotti
A three-star recruit by 247Sports, Perkins comes to Towson after a strong career at St. Vincent Pallotti in Laurel. A football and track standout, Perkins had a key 52-yard receiving touchdown to lead the Panthers to the 2019 MIAA B Championship, the school's second-straight title game appearance. He notched Baltimore Touchdown Club Super 22 Team and All-MIAA First Team honors with 688 receiving yards and five touchdowns in 2019.
Justin Harper on Perkins: "Perkins is a big, strong kid that could have an easy transition to the college game, simply because he truly loves football. He is a Maryland kid that flat out makes plays and has a bright future. I'm beyond excited to have him join The Brotherhood, and I can't wait to work with him."
Darien Reynolds – Inside Linebacker – Senior – 6-0, 225 – Charlotte, N.C. – Gardner-Webb University
A 2020 Preseason All-Big South First Team linebacker, Reynolds has played in 34 career games for Gardner-Webb, amassing 225 career tackles and 13 pass deflections. He was a 2019 All-Big South Second Team selection, his second all-league honor in as many seasons, with team-highs of 128 total tackles and three forced fumbles. As a senior at Vance High, Reynolds earned 2016 All-MECKA 7 Conference honors with 109 tackles and 15.5 tackles for loss.
Eric Daniels on Reynolds: "Darien comes with a lot of experience being a two-time all-conference player at the FCS level. He finished second in tackles for the conference last season. He brings the passion and love for the game that you want in your program.
Evan Rutkowski – Outside Linebacker – Freshman – 6-2, 200 – Ashburn, Va. – Briar Woods H.S.
Rutkowski follows the family tradition, joining the Tigers with his brother Ryan. Evan led Briar Woods high to the 2019 VHSL Region 5C semifinal, scoring two touchdowns, on a return and on a reception. He received multiple honors in 2019 including All-LoCo First Team Defense, First Team All-Region 5C and All-Northern Virginia, earning awards as a defensive back and wide receiver.
Collin Bauer on Rutkowski: "We are extremely excited to add Evan to the family. Evan is a versatile player that can dominate in all phases of the game. The tenacity and intensity that he plays with will allow Evan to thrive on this defense."
Scott Smith III – Quarterback – Freshman – 6-4, 210 – Brooklandville, Md. – St. Paul's School
Brooklandville-native Smith III will stay in the home county to suit up for the Black & Gold. During the 2019 campaign, Smith III finished with a 67% completion rate, 1,703 passing yards and 18 passing touchdowns to earn an MIAA All-Conference selection. NBC Sports Washington named him as one of the top-10 high school quarterbacks in the DMV area.
Rob Ambrose on Smith III: "Very impressed with Scott's body of work throughout high school. His talent as a passer and toughness as a field general caught our eye early on. With his great academic background and family ties to Towson combined with all those skills...we are excited about his future as a Tiger."
Florian Staehler – Offensive Line – Freshman – 6-8, 280 – Köln, Germany – American International Academy (R.I.)
Staehler is the most recent European addition for the Tigers, joining fellow German Roman Wahrheit on the offensive line. He played football at the American International Academy in Rhode Island, competing at lineman on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. His play earned him PPI All-Star Team recognition.
Brian Scott on Staehler: "Florian will be a great addition to a veteran offensive line group. He is a long, athletic tackle projection with a lot of room to grow physically. Getting here in the spring will be great for his development."
Mason Woods – Inside Linebacker – Freshman – 6-0, 220 – Woodbridge, Va. – Gar-Field H.S.
A starting inside linebacker at Gar-Field High since his freshman year, Woods comes across the Potomac River to compete for the Black & Gold. The two-star recruit by 247Sports led Gar-Field to seven victories in 2019, the school's first winning season since 2011, to earn All-Cardinal District Defensive Player of the Year and D6/AAA MVP. Woods is a two-time First Team All-Region 6B and First Team All-Cardinal District honoree.
Eric Daniels on Woods: "Mason plays the game with the attitude and aggressiveness that you look for in an inside linebacker. He has natural instincts and a nose for getting to the football. He is a young man with high character that we are excited to add to this program."
