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Towson enters year three under Pete Shinnick with momentum and high expectations, aiming to build on a 7-5 campaign despite major defensive turnover.
Written By
Gino Leone
Contributor
Written By
Gino Leone
Contributor
Year two marked another step in the right direction for head coach Pete Shinnick, as his Towson Tigers finished with an overall record of 7-5 and accumulated five wins in the CAA. They were competitive throughout the season, nearly beating Villanova (10-4) and Richmond (10-3), both of whom made the FCS playoffs. Balance was the recipe for success on offense – Towson rushed for an average of 164.9 yards (44th nationally) and passed for 214.50 yards (53rd). Defensively, the Tigers prided themselves on stopping the run. They held teams to just 146.1 yards on the ground (55) and a total of 24.92 points (54) per game.
Towson returns three of five starters on the offensive line, five of their top six receiving options from 2024, and a quarterback with veteran experience in Sean Brown. Depth at running back could be a concern, especially since the Tigers lose their three leading rushers and have just six players rostered at the position. Carter Runyon signed a UDFA deal with the Las Vegas Raiders, leaving behind a large void in the tight end room.
Reinforcements came through the portal. RB Al Wooten II had a successful four-year stint at Mercer, rushing for 1,234 yards and 10 touchdowns, while competing in 29 contests. Although he struggled to produce last season at the FBS level (Duke), Wooten II hopes to build upon a successful 2023 campaign, where he gained 715 yards on the ground.
TE Bryce Butler (Ohio) transfers to Towson after making appearances in 14 games last fall, hauling in a touchdown pass against Kent State. He adds depth and will likely compete with stalwart CJ Schaeffer for a starting role.
The Tigers face a total rebuild on the defensive side of the ball in 2025, with every single starter on the front seven and two crucial contributors in the secondary departing.
JT Black (Lenoir-Rhyne) and Wyatt Draeger (San Diego State) will fortify a front line that is lacking experience. JR Stegall (6-3, 295), Aaron Clark (6-0, 300), and Shamir Boyd (6-2, 290) seem poised to advance their overall craft and further progress in their development.
Linebacker is in a much better position in terms of production coming back. Rodney Roane Jr. started the first four contests of 2024, finishing fourth on the team in total tackles (58) and also posting five TFLs and four sacks. Alfred Thomas and CJ McClendon were an important part of the rotation, and should push for more playing time. Bolstering competition, the coaching staff elected to bring in Shamar Graham from Virginia Union University. He put up an impressive statline in 2022, tallying 84 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, and two sacks.
Kicker Keegan Vaughan and long snapper Patrick Coyle aren’t returning, but depth pieces are prepared to embrace increased responsibilities.
Caden Williams was the primary kickoff man for Towson in the final eight games of 2024; he's expected to replace Vaughan. Reserve LS Daniel Anderla will take over for Coyle.
Punter Bryce LaFollette returns after booming eight punts of over 50 yards last year.
Bold indicates home game
If Towson can retool its defense and find consistent play in the backfield, the Tigers have the foundation to contend in the CAA and push for a playoff berth.
