“I could not be happier with the quality of the student-athletes we signed,” he added. “We have added some good players who will represent the University and the football program very well. When the public analyzes this recruiting class, I think they will be pleasantly surprised at the high quality of the student-athletes we have been able to sign in the last three weeks.”

         Most recently an assistant coach at the University of Connecticut, Ambrose added, “We are confident that every one of these players has the potential to help our program in the near future.”

         Four sets of former high school teammates highlight the Tigers’ contingent from Maryland. Defensive tackle Arnold Farmer (6-1, 306) and offensive lineman Chuck Johnson (6-2, 260) of Baltimore’s Poly High School signed with the Tigers after solid careers for Coach Roger Wrenn, a member of the Maryland Coaches’ Hall of Fame.

         A pair of honorable mention All-State selections from DuVal High School, defensive lineman Randall Harris (6-4, 280) and offensive lineman Eric Pike (6-5, 275) signed with the Tigers after leading Coach Dameon Powell’s team to a 6-4 record.

         From Gwynn Park High School, the Tigers signed wide receiver Nygee Carmichael (5-8, 165) and cornerback William Speight (5-10, 160). Carmichael and Speight earned All-County honors while leading the Yellow Jackets of Coach Danny Hayes to an 8-3 record.

         In addition, the Tigers signed wide receiver Alex Blake (6-2, 185) and defensive back Dwayne Price (5-9, 170), who helped Friendly High School post an 8-3 record and reach the state playoffs in 2008.  Blake and Price earned honorable mention All-State notice for Coach John Morgan.

         From Loyola Blakefield High School, Towson inked two-way lineman Doug Shaw (6-1, 255), a first team All-State pick. Shaw was a top player for the Dons’ 2008 undefeated team that posted an 11-0 record.

         The Tigers also signed two of the top quarterbacks in Maryland, Peter Athens (6-0, 185) of Huntingtown High School and Tom Chroniger (6-1, 185) of DeMatha High School. Athens threw for 1,700 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior while leading the Hurricanes to a 9-2 record and a berth in the state playoffs. Named as a 3-star standout by Rivals.com, Chroniger passed for 1,375 yards and 14 TD’s as he guided DeMatha to a 10-2 record and the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference title.

         All-State linebacker Ryan Bonheyo (6-2, 210) of the Maryland School for the Deaf and defensive back B.J. Greening (5-11, 190) of Calvert High School complete the 13-player contingent from Maryland.

         Offensive lineman Anthony Davis (6-3, 300) of Clover Hill High School in Richmond, Va. and wide receiver Tom Ryan (6-3, 190) of Father Judge High School in Philadelphia complete the recruiting class.

         Coach Ambrose also announced that offensive lineman Derek Cardaci (6-4, 260) has transferred to Towson from Middle Tennessee State University. The Cape May, N.J. native has three years of eligibility remaining.

         A thumbnail look at the Tigers’ Recruiting Class:

         PETER ATHENS, 6-0, 185-lb. Quarterback, Huntingtown H.S., Huntingtown, Md.: Three-year starter at quarterback in high school ... played for Coach Jerry Franks at Huntingtown H.S. as a senior ... led the Hurricanes to a 9-2 record and a berth in the state playoffs ... threw for 1,700 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior ... named honorable mention All-State in 2008 ... also named to All-Southern Maryland Athletic Conference team  ... earned All-County honors ... led St. Mary’s High School to the MIAA championship as a junior ... threw for more than 2,000 yards and 22 touchdowns for the Saints in 2007 ... helped St. Mary’s post a 9-3 record ... led St. Mary’s to MIAA state championship with a 26-20 win over Archbishop Spalding in a game played at Towson’s Johnny Unitas ® Stadium ... completed 6 of 10 passes for 166 yards and four touchdowns in state championship game and threw a game-winning ten-yard touchdown pass with 8:26 remaining in the game ... three-sport standout in high school who also wrestled and played lacrosse ... earned all-conference notice in lacrosse as a junior and senior ... son of Colonel Art Athens, USMC (ret.), who is the Dean of the Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership at the United States Naval Academy.

         ALEX BLAKE, 6-2, 185-lb. Wide Receiver, Friendly H.S., Fort Washington, Md.: Honorable mention All-State wide receiver as a senior at Friendly High School ... helped the Patriots post an 8-3 record and reach the state playoffs in 2008 ... speedy wide receiver who had a 4.47 time in the 40-yard dash ... top receiver for Coach John Morgan with 34 receptions for 620 yards and five touchdowns ... had five catches for 108 yards and one touchdown against Forestville ... named first team All-County and first team all-league ... also plays basketball and runs track at Friendly ... transferred to Friendly from GarField High School in Virginia ... caught 30 passes for 375 yards and three touchdowns while helping GarField to state playoff berth.

         RYAN BONHEYO, 6-2, 210-lb. Linebacker, Maryland School for the Deaf, Frederick, Md.: Two-way standout for Coach Andrew Bonheyo, his father ... helped the Orioles to a 41-2 record over four-year career ... member of four consecutive Deaf Prep national championship teams ... earned first team All-State selection as a senior ... honored as first team All-Area as a junior and senior ... earned second team All-State notice as a junior ... set school records with 4,528 career rushing yards, 485 carries and 66 touchdowns ... first player to rush for more than 1,000 yards three years in a row ... had 24 career games in which he ran for more than 100 yards ... selected to play in the 2008 Crab Bowl at Johnny Unitas® Stadium ... also played baseball and basketball for the Orioles.

         NYGEE CARMICHAEL, 5-8, 165-lb. Wide Receiver, Gwynn Park H.S., Brandywine, Md.: Speedy running back and wide receiver who was also a kick return specialist for the Yellow Jackets ... All-County performer for Coach Danny Hayes ...older brother, Rashad, plays football at Virginia Tech ... selected to play in the 2008 Crab Bowl at Johnny Unitas ® Stadium ... rushed for 653 yards and scored 11 touchdowns as a senior ... ran for career high 124 yards and scored three touchdowns in win over Forestville ... returned five kicks for TD’s in high school career ... had a 4.33 time in the 40-yard dash at Charlotte Nike Camp ... helped the Yellow Jackets post an 8-3 record and reach the state playoffs as a senior ... named honorable mention All-Metro ... member of Gwynn Park’s state championship team as a sophomore. 

         TOM CHRONIGER, 6-1, 185-lb. Quarterback, DeMatha H.S., Crofton, Md.: Two-year starter at quarterback at DeMatha ... earned second team All-State honors as a senior ... named All-Washington Catholic Athletic Conference first team as a junior and senior ... led Coach Bill McGregor’s team to back-to-back WCAC championships ... led Stags to a 10-2 record in 2008, passing for 1,375 yards and 14 touchdowns ... also rank for 667 yards and nine TD’s ... honorable mention All-Metro selection who led Stags to number four ranking in Washington, D.C. area ... lefthanded quarterback with tremendous poise ... made an early commitment to Eastern Michigan but change in coaching staff made him reconsider ... also recruited by Maryland, Virginia, Buffalo, Kansas State and New Mexico.

         ANTHONY DAVIS, 6-3, 300-lb. Offensive Lineman, Clover Hill H.S., Richmond, Va.: Two-way standout at offensive tackle and defensive end ... three-year starter for Coach Sean O’Hare ... named first team all-district on offense and defense ... named second team all-region ... led the Cavaliers to an 8-2 record as a senior ... named second team All-Metro at defensive end ... honored as the team’s Lineman of the Year award winner ... led the Cavaliers with 51 tackles ... also had three sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery ... helped the Cavaliers win the Dominion District championship as a sophomore.

         ARNOLD FARMER, 6-1, 306-lb. Defensive Tackle, Baltimore Poly H.S., Baltimore, Md.: Three-year starter at defensive tackle for the Engineers ... earned All-Baltimore City first team honors as a junior and senior ... led Coach Roger Wrenn’s team to a 6-5 record and a state playoff berth as a senior ... two-year co-captain ... very strong player who broke school records in weight lifting ... selected to play for Baltimore team in the 2008 Crab Bowl at Johnny Unitas ® Stadium ... made three tackles for the Baltimore squad ... also recruited by Maryland, North Carolina, Navy and Connecticut.

         B.J. GREENING, 5-11, 190-lb. Defensive Back, Calvert H.S., Saint Leonard, Md.: Two-way standout at running back and defensive back for the Cavaliers ... earned first team All-Southern Maryland Athletic Conference honors for Coach Marc Watson ... ran for 145 yards on 22 carries and scored three touchdowns in final game of high school career ... also competed for the baseball and track teams at Calvert High School ... winner of “Minds In Motion” award twice.

         RANDALL HARRIS, 6-4, 280-lb. Defensive Lineman, DuVal H.S., Lanham, Md.: Honorable mention All-State selection at defensive tackle ... two-time All-County pick ... named first team all-league as a junior and senior ... also named honorable mention All-Metro ... made 57 tackles as a senior with six quarterback sacks ... saw some duty at fullback and rushed for 62 yards on 10 carries with three touchdowns ... made 42 tackles with four sacks as a junior ... helped Coach Dameon Powell’s Tigers reach the state playoffs in 2007 ... one of two DuVal products to sign with Towson.

         CHUCK JOHNSON, 6-2, 260-lb. Offensive Lineman, Baltimore Poly H.S., Baltimore, Md.: Two-way standout at offensive guard and defensive end for the Engineers ... earned All-Baltimore City first team honors as a junior and senior ... led Coach Roger Wrenn’s team to a 6-5 record and a state playoff appearance in 2008 ... named to Super 22 team in 2008 ... made 67 tackles with nine quarterback sacks as a senior ... also recovered two fumbles ... made 125 tackles with 15 sacks and five fumble recoveries in high school career ... one of the first recruits to commit to Towson after Rob Ambrose was named head coach.

         ERIC PIKE, 6-5, 275-lb. Offensive Lineman, DuVal H.S., Lanham, Md.: Named first team All-Prince George’s County 4A selection at offensive guard ... could also play offensive tackle ... has plenty of size and strength ... helped Coach Dameon Powell’s Tigers reach the state playoffs in 2007 ... named honorable mention All-State selection at offensive guard ... earned second team All-Metro notice as a senior ... helped team post a 6-4 record as a senior, just missing a second straight berth in the state playoffs ... one of two DuVal seniors to sign with Towson ... also wrestled for DuVal.

         DWAYNE PRICE, 5-9, 170-lb. Defensive Back, Friendly H.S., Fort Washington, Md.: Two-way standout at running back and cornerback for the Patriots ... helped the Patriots post an 8-3 record and reach the state playoffs ... honorable mention All-State selection at running back for Coach John Morgan ... ran for 910 yards on 70 carries and scored 15 touchdowns as a senior ... also made 37 tackles and intercepted two passes ... has a time of 4.49 seconds in the 40-yard dash ... named first team All-Prince George’s County 4A as a senior ... selected to play in the Crab Bowl at Johnny Unitas ® Stadium ... member of state championship team in 2006 ... also a member of the Patriots’ track and field team.

         TOM RYAN, 6-3, 190-lb. Wide Receiver, Father Judge H.S., Philadelphia, Pa.: Three-time All-Catholic League selection at Father Judge High School ... played both ways at wide receiver and defensive back ... second-leading receiver in the Catholic League with 39 receptions for 720 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior ... finished career with 115 receptions for 1,645 yards and 24 touchdowns for Coach Tom Coyle ... led the Crusaders to an 8-4 record as a senior ... named All-City as a senior ... had three punt returns for touchdowns during high school career ... also plays basketball at Father Judge.

         DOUG SHAW, 6-1, 255-lb. Fullback, Loyola Blakefield H.S., Woodbine, Md.: Two-way standout at Loyola who was named first team All-State in 2008 ... three-year starter who helped the Dons win three straight MIAA “A” Conference championships for Coach Brian Abbott ... played offensive tackle and defensive tackle as a senior ... led the Dons to a perfect 11-0 record as a senior ... made 53 tackles, including six quarterback sacks in 2008 ... helped Loyola cap off third perfect season in school history with three sacks in 35-0 win over arch-rival Calvert Hall on Thanksgiving Day in M&T Bank Stadium ... had 13.5 tackles for lost yardage as a senior ... finished career with 93 tackles, including 25 tackles for lost yardage ... earned All-State notice as a junior when he helped the Dons post a 9-1 record ... two-time All-Metro first team selection ... member of the Dons’ wrestling team.

         WILLIAM SPEIGHT, 5-10, 160-lb. Cornerback, Gwynn Park H.S., Brandywine, Md.: All-Prince George’s County selection at cornerback for the Yellow Jackets ... also returned punts and kickoffs for Coach Danny Hayes ... two-year starter who intercepted nine passes as a junior and senior ... intercepted five passes as a senior and returned two of them for touchdowns ... had four interceptions as a junior ... helped the Yellow Jackets post an 8-3 record and earned a playoff berth as a senior ... had a 72-yard kickoff return for a touchdown ... has posted a time of 4.54 seconds in the 40-yard dash.

2009 Towson University Football Recruits

                                              Towson University Transfer Students
Player                       Pos.       Ht.    Wt.       High School              Hometown           Previous School

Derek Cardaci             OL          6-4    260      St. Augustine Prep      Cape May, N.J.      Middle Tennessee St.