TOWSON, Md. - After the Tigers avoided the threat of a thunderstorm to finish their eighth practice of the pre-season, Cornerbacks Coach Derrick Johnson spent a few minutes talking about the team's cornerbacks.

"This is the best group of cornerbacks we've had since I've been here," says Johnson, who is starting his fifth year with the Tigers. "These cornerbacks have speed and they are a physical group. Their knowledge of football is also very good."

Junior Jordan Love and sophomore Tye Smith are the Tigers' most experienced cornerbacks.

A transfer from the University of Georgia, Love joined the Tigers before the spring semester and he has been impressive. Johnson says, "Jordan has been outstanding in pre-season camp. He came back in very good shape and he is making plays all over the field. He has taken on the role of a team leader and he is much more vocal."

Smith is coming off an outstanding freshman season in which he appeared in 11 games and made four starts. He made 49 tackles and intercepted two passes. After the Tigers' win over New Hampshire, he was honored as the Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Week.

"Tye does everything right," says Coach Johnson. "He is fast and he works hard."

Another transfer, Ben Harvey, is involved in the competition at cornerback. A transfer from the University of South Carolina, he has done well in the pre-season.

"With those three, we can do many different things," explains Johnson. "We can play nickel and we can play zone or man-to-man. They give us so many options."

Another newcomer, Ryan Mays, has also been impressive. A transfer from Albright College, he joined the Tigers last year and had to sit out the 2011 season. Johnson says, "Ryan has a big heart. He loves to play football and he has learned so much. His technique is much-improved. He will help us."

Johnson is also very impressed with three first-year freshmen. Donnell Lewis of Woodside High School in Virginia has joined Jabari Thomas of Carroll High School in Washington, D.C. to add to the Tigers' depth at cornerback. Another newcomer, Juleon Killikelly-Lee of Baltimore's Woodlawn High School, has also done well.

The Tigers will return to two-a-days on Friday as they hold two practice sessions.

Season tickets for Towson University football are on sale now by calling the Athletics Ticket Office at 1-855-TU-TIGER or going online to TowsonTigers.com. Season ticket packages begin at $55 per seat.