2019 Towson Football Preview

[mat1992 2,231]

Was the 2018 football season a success? It's a bit if a grey area because while the Tigers made the playoffs for the first time since 2013, they also finished at 7-5, lost at home in the playoffs in a driving rainstorm to Duquesne (31-10) and lost four of their last five games.

Last season, Towson made substantive changes to improve from 5-6 (3-5 CAA) to 7-5 (5-3 CAA). Going 5-3 in the CAA was enough to put the in the NCAA playoffs unlike 2015 (when they finished 5-3), based on an impressive 41-10 road win over Elon but there were several issues, starting with a defense that finished last in the CAA in yards per game allowed (3895ypg), 8th in pass defense (202.2ypg) and last (12th) in run defense (187.2ypg). They also finished 10th in pass defense efficiency at 129.3 and last in third down conversions on defense (40.5%).

Those numbers forced a few more changes on staff. Lyndon Johnson was moved from defensive coordinator to special teams coordinator (replacing long-time coach Joe Tricario) and Eric Daniels was brought in as new coordinator/inside linebackers coach. Daniels was the DC at Briar Cliff in Iowa and had experience at SMU as the linebacker coach. Towson also added Nate Brown, formerly at North Texas, to replace Scott Lakatos.

Daniels will bring a new 3/4 scheme, which means there will be some movement in terms of position. Last season, senior OLB/DE Ricky DeBerry (6-1, 245) played mainly defensive end and recorded 34 tackles with 9.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He'll move inside to linebacker where the Oklahoma transfer will play next to last year's leading tackler Robert Heyward (5-10, 235). The senior linebacker was the bright spot of the defense last season, recording 99 tackles with 10.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, four pass breakups and two forced fumbles. He was the lone defender on the preseason All-CAA first-team.

So DeBerry and Heyward appear to be the strength of the defense. At outside linebacker, Towson returns senior Keon Paye (6-0, 230), who had a solid season with 74 tackles, 5.0 TFLs, two picks and two pass breakups. Paye has never really had that breakout season, after starting out as a safety and one point, playing both sides of the ball in the early part of his career. Senior Malik Tyne (6-3, 250) is expected to be the other outside linebacker. Tyne has been a backup defensive end for most of his career. Last year, he was productive with 31 tackles, 9 TFls and three sacks with six quarterback hurries. Redshirt sophomore Nygil Johnson (6-3, 220) played sparingly last season. The former Nevada commit has had issues trying to put on weight but is a natural pass rusher. 

An x-factor at outside linebacker could be senior John Lambert (6-3, 235), who has had an excellent camp and earned a scholarship over the summer. The Dean College grad played in just five games last year and wasn't a major contributor. 

The key this offseason was to address both lines. The key to the run defense starts on the defensive line. Last season, Zain Harps-Upshur and (36 tackles, 7.0 TFLs, 2.5 sacks) tried to keep the unit together despite not being close to 100%. Niquekko Cook (9 games, 28 tackles) was injured and played on one leg about half the season. Tibo Tebaille (6-3, 290) played in just one game due an injury and juco transfer Charles Garrett (one sack) left the team after seven games. Sophomore Sam Gyeni (12 tackles, 11 games) is the most productive of the inside linemen. He has looked good in camp and the 5-11, 280-pounder could get the start at nose guard.

Another possibility is redshirt sophomore Vinnie Shaffer (5-11, 305), a D2 transfer from St. Anselm, who is a Baltimore native. 

One thing is certain, Towson will have many more options than last season up front and they need just three starting lineman. Junior Bryce Carter (6-2, 265) can play DT in the new scheme or outside linebacker. He was a 4-3 defensive end last season, leading the line with 52 tackles, 14 TFLs and 6.5 sacks. He'll have some help from junior Marcus Bowman (6-2, 255), a juco transfer from ASA College in New York, who is a native of Upper Marlboro. Bowman has shown flashes of potential in practice and will likely play in some rotation at the three technique.

Right now, it's difficult to say what the line is going to look like when Towson plays The Citadel on Saturday. They could go with Gyeni, Carter and Bowman though Debaille gives them more size. He really hasn't played since 2017 and might be limited as he was not out there on Saturday in the scrimmage. Neither was redshirt freshman Jesus Gibbs (6-3, 295), one of the top defensive line transfers Towson has ever garnered. The South Carolina transfer was a four-star offensive lineman from Potomac HS in Virginia. He did not play in the scrimmage on Saturday and his status is undetermined for Saturday's game.

But at least there is depth and options. Junior Tommy Danagogo (6-3, 305) is another option at nose guard and well, Ambrose is always known to have a trick up his sleeve. One player that could be a late bloomer is Nebraska transfer Quashon Alexander (6-3, 250), who is athletic enough to play outside linebacker but right now, has been playing up front. 

Another issue defensively last season was the secondary. Safety Monty Fenner (71 tackles, 1 pick, 9 PBU) is gone, but true sophomore Jamal Gay (36 tackles) is back. The Beltsville, Md. native is now 6-1, 200 and the experience taking over for (now LB) Mantriel Reaves, should really help this season. The bigger question is who takes over on the other side. Kansas transfer Robert Topps III (6-3, 205) looks like a star in the making, but where will he play? He lined up at nickel corner, strong safety and free safety. Juco transfers Steven Brown (5-11, 200) and Stanley Davis (6-0, 200) were playing extensively in the summer as was junior Coby Tippett, who does have some experience. Tipppett could be the guy in the opener based on experience though it will be tough to judge since The Citadel is a triple-option team.

That leaves the cornerback position and that surprisingly has remained the same, despite the issues from last season. Senior Terrell Gillette (5-10, 180) has had an outstanding camp, coming off a season where he recorded 40 tackles and nine pass breakups with one fumble recovery but no picks. He struggled at times, along with senior Brandon Shuman (6-0, 180), who had 28 tackles and six pass breakups. Communication was a problem with the safeties and linebackers last season. Safety play wasn't completely to blame for the secondary issues but they did not help. 

Redshirt freshmen Robert Javier (6-1, 195) and Jirhe Love (6-0, 195) are possible starters next season but they might not want to wait. Javier is a long, athletic corner in the mold of Tye Smith, who has been hampered by injuries in summer camp. He could start out as a nickel corner but watch for his progress this season. Another key performer could be senior Troy Vincent Jr. (5-11, 205), who has played linebacker and nickel corner in camp. The special teams ace has not been an impact player in the secondary due to injuries but he could make a big one this season in nickle and dime situations.

 

[mat1992 2,231]

Part II- The Offense

Let's face it, last season, was all about an impact transfer named Tom Flacco, The Western Michigan/Rutgers transfer led the league's number one offense to 34.5 points per game and 465 yards per game. One thing Towson has to improve on is their red zone offense. They ranked seventh in the CAA with 79.5 percent (51 of 65) and the offense was stymied against Duquesne (10 pts in the rain), James Madison (38-17 loss) and Wake Forest (51-20). 

The quick-strike offense led the league in time of possession with 32:20, but they also allowed 35 sacks (T9). Some of that was on the offensive line, but a lot of that was on Flacco, who held on the ball a long time to try and extend plays. He'll need to throw the ball away or run a bit more if there's nobody open.

But you can't say Flacco won't have the weapon and he'll have a few more than he did last season. What Flacco did last season was shades of Grant Enders on the ground (742 yds, 4 TDs) and Dan Crowley/Sean Schaefer in the air (3,251 yds, 28 TDs, 11 INTs, 61%). The scary thing is that Flacco should get better in terms of accuracy and turnovers.

Before we get to his weapons, let's talk about the offensive line. Towson lost a good right tackle in Matt Kaufman and a solid right guard in Zane Ventemiglia. Center Nico Rusolillo shocked the team by leaving the state for law school. That left sophomore guard Cole Cheripko (6-4, 300) to move to center in the spring, but he was back at right guard in the summer, where he started two games last season. Cheripko is a MAC-level talent should should be fine at either spot. Junior Brendan Cassels (6-3, 300) likely will get the start at center with juco tranfer Brown Tuiasosopo (6-2, 315) pushing him. 

They added three more offensive line transfers in soph. Olawale Layeni (6-3, 330) from Marshall, Temple grad transfer Darian Bryant (6-6, 330) and juco transfer Demarcus Gilmore (6-4, 360). Gilmore has been playing right tackle in the summer and has looked good. Bryant was supposed to be the starter at tackle or guard, but has been hampered by a knee issue. His status is uncertain, while Layeni has been relegated to a backup role. 

But we're not done with depth on the O-line. Enter John Mullins (6-4, 305), the former defensive lineman, who has made a strong transition from defense. Redshirt freshman Alex Desire (6-4, 310) is one of the most improved players on the line and should be a backup guard and tackle. He could end up starting at right guard if Cheripko moves back to center. 

Ok, still not done. Sophomore Roman Warheit (6-6, 335) and freshman Vairk Paakkonen (6-5, 325) are not your typical newcomers, because they are from Europe and are not 18.

At running back, senior Shane Simpson showed what he could do when he's healthy. He ran for 711 yards (4.7ypc) with six TDs and caught 39 passes for 356 yards and five TDs. He also averaged 24 yards per kick return with one TD and 6.9 yards per punt return with a long of 31. He's one of the most versatile offensive players in the nation. 

Sophomore Adrian Platt (5-7, 200) returns from a knee injury that cost him the entire season. He might be the second-best back on the team (he was in the summer), but junior Kobe Young (6-0, 210) and senior Yeedee Thanerat (5-10, 220) might have something to say. Young ran for 455 yards with three TDs and a 6.3ypc average, while Thaenrat added 250 yards (5.2ypc) with five TDs. So depth is pretty good this season, but they do lack that huge back.

At wide receiver, Towson has one of their best duos in the history of the program in senior Shane Leatherbury (67 catches for 885 yds, 7 TDs) and junior Jabari Allen (53 for 751 yds, 8 TDs). If Allen stays healthy the next two seasons, he has a chance to break every receiving record.

The bigger question is who replaces Sam Gallahan (35 for 458 yds, 2TDs) as the third receiver. Junior Ryan Rutkowski (6-2, 200) has the most experience but had just five catches last season. Sophomore Darian Street (6-1, 190) is a transfer from Pitt, who has had a pretty good camp, while true freshman Daniel Thompson (6-3, 205), who played in the spring, has been outstanding. True freshman Charles Murphy (6-2, 175) needs to bulk up some but he might be too good not to play. Sophomore D'Ago Hunter (5-7, 160) is very explosive, who can make plays in the open field.

At tight end, senior Chris Clark (6-5, 255) played in just nine games last season and caught 17 passes for 199 yards with four TDs. If he can remain on the field, he may be the team's best receiving threat at tight since James Oboh. Sophomore Myles Wright (6-3, 240), freshman Colin Hirschmann (6-5, 250) and junior Jason Epps (6-3, 235) serve as the depth. Epps is likely to be the second tight end in two-tight situations.

On special teams, All-American Aidan O'Neill made 22 of 29 field goals and 42 of 43 extra points. Marshall transfer Shane McDonough takes over for Pat Toomey as the punter. He has a very strong leg and will also kick off.

[sr16 158]

https://www.flofootball.com/video/6558993-all-access-towson 

Edited August 27, 2019 by sr16

[TigerFan54 102]

How is Roman Warheit a sophomore if he's not yet 18?

[mat1992 2,231]

6 minutes ago, TigerFan54 said:

How is Roman Warheit a sophomore if he's not yet 18?

He’s way past 18. I meant nowhere near your typical freshman age. Most of these Euros that they are recruiting are closer to 22 than 18.

[mat1992 2,231]

11 hours ago, sr16 said:

https://www.flofootball.com/video/6558993-all-access-towson 

It's nice to see all the practice highlights but you would think they'd be allowed to use regular season highlights from last season. Maybe some stats but I guess it's not really a preview. It's just a pump you up video.

[sr16 158]

9 hours ago, mat1992 said:

It's nice to see all the practice highlights but you would think they'd be allowed to use regular season highlights from last season. Maybe some stats but I guess it's not really a preview. It's just a pump you up video.

Yeah I think its a start. I guess they need to create some content to entice new subscriptions for their service. 

[Blounge 520]

The video quality looks great, but I’m hoping reddit will provide the free college football streams for us again this year

[TuTigers2012 1,061]

8 minutes ago, Blounge said:

The video quality looks great, but I’m hoping reddit will provide the free college football streams for us again this year

If you find any, please post a link.

[sr16 158]

https://herosports.com/fcs/football-2019-towson-shane-simpson-robert-hayward-ajaj