Good Morning, Tiger Nation. I am @Simon_HWT aka The Heavyweight and it's time to Wake Up on the Strong Side. 

-- Role Players

For former Tigers turned Pro, success has never fallen into their laps. Being from a CAA school, tucked away in the Mid-Atlantic, Towson does not ring the same bell to pro scouts as Texas, Florida, USC, etc.

But as the CAA continues to grow its brand on the field and court - it's become more recognizable, and thanks to the success of former Tigers, I'm sure there are fewer references to "Towson State."

If you use a few recent case studies, you'll see that there seems to be a trademark for former Towson athletes. Looking at Jermon Bushrod, Gary Neal and Casper Wells - they've all seen the success in their careers so far by proviing themselves as valuable  players in each of their respective sports - making them valuable commodities.

Bushrod, of the three, has been in his league the longest - and has worked his way up the ladder of the NFL. A Pro Bowl left tackle for the New Orleans Saints - Bushrod did not fall into a starting role - the fourth-round draft pick had All-Pro Jammal Brown ahead of him on the depth chart. Still, Bushrod's play on special teams made an impression that lasted when Brown suffered a knee injury and the former Tiger was called up to fill-in (and eventually win the starting-role)

With just 149 games under his belt - major leaguer Casper Wells is a utility outfielder in the MLB. The former Towson Tiger-turned Detroit Tiger was traded to the Seattle Mariners in the summer of 2011 - though he's not an everyday starter, it didn't take long for Wells to prove he has a major league stroke. Wells pieced together a streak of four consecutive games where he went long last season. Making his 13th start in left field this past weekend, the Schenectady, N.Y. native hit his first home run of the season in Yankee stadium - 2 hours away from his hometown.

And finally - Gary Neal - the San Antonio Spurs guard and probably one of my favorite Towson athletes to watch. Again, the former Tiger did not see professional success right away - in fact, he didn't see the NBA right away. After his college career ended, Neal went overseas to play in a couple European leagues, before his talent was recognized by the San Antonio Spurs. Neal had an impressive rookie campaign landing him on the NBA All-Rookie First Team, along with the likes of Blake Griffin and John Wall.

Neal and the Spurs are well on their way in the NBA playoffs this year after sweeping the Utah Jazz in the first round. Neal made a big splash last year in playoffs, just ask the Memphis Grizzlies...