(Photo: Ryder John/Instagram)

Shawn Nadelen and the Towson Tigers picked up a commitment in the 2024 class on Friday afternoon as St. Xavier (Ky.) defenseman Ryder John verbaled to the Tigers. He is the third commitment in the class for the CAA program.

What Towson is Getting:

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound defenseman has that ideal size and frame that helps give him and edge in those one-on-one matchups. He also knows how to use his body very well and often throws very good and well-timed checks, keeping his opponent at bay. What really shines about John’s game is his speed and stick skills. The defenseman has great speed to be able to make those timely slides, as well as help and hustle plays all over the field. But he doesn’t exhibit that speed just on the defensive end. He can and does use his speed to his advantage in transition. His stick skills and speed combined makes him a very dangerous threat as someone who can not only spark quick offense as a pole, but create offense as well. Last spring, John had 19 points off eight goals and 11 assists while helping the Tigers to a state championship.

What it Means For Towson:

I had John pegged as one of the best players in the South of the ’24 cycle. Joining Boy’s Latin (Md.) LSM Nick Chan and Cushing Academy (Mass.) goalie Daniel Domeniconi in the Towson 2024 class, John gives the Tigers another solid addition on that end of the field. The pair of poles in Chan and John is an especially strong tandem in which the Tigers can build a strong class off of.