In the summer of 2005, Towson University football coach Gordy Combs changed quarterbacks. He opted to start a redshirt freshman over the incumbent, who had just completed his first season as a redshirt freshman. Questions ensued.
But Combs? foresight has led to not only a record-breaking passing game, but stability that has helped the team in recruiting.
He now has the luxury to redshirt nearly all of his recruits for their freshman season, allowing them to adapt, grow and learn ? and eventually become very experienced juniors and seniors.
“It?ll be an opportunity for them to be in the program for a few years,” Combs said.
In particular, the team?s quarterback situation is key. Starting quarterback Sean Schaefer will be a junior in the fall, allowing two of Combs? 2007 recruits to learn the offense slowly and learn from the Tigers? 2006 MVP.
Towson received a National Letter of Intent Wednesday from Andrew Daley, a quarterback from Eastern High in Gibbsboro, N.J. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Daley helped his team to three state playoffs appearances and led Eastern to a conference title in 2006.
“Andrew was a three-year starter at quarterback for us, and that?s rare in this league,” Eastern coach Dan Spittal said. “He added a new dimension to our spread-gun, no-huddle offense with his strong arm and decision-making ability. He is an outstanding leader who is physically and mentally tough. He was always the first one at workouts and the last one to leave.”
He?ll be working with fellow recruit Matt Ray, a quarterback from Urbana High in Frederick County. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound Ray will compete as a walk-on.
Neither is likely to see the active roster this season, as Combs said having any of his 2007 recruits in game action would reflect poorly on he and his staff. Senior Andrew Goldbeck, the Tigers? starter in 2004, is slated to be Schaefer?s backup this coming season. Daley, whose size and arm strength appeal to Combs, will compete for the backup position in his redshirt freshman season.
“We?ll have a big senior class in the fall,” Combs said. “So the guys we recruited this year and the class from last year will be important.”
