Mike Tyler

Introduction: In the ever competitive landscape of college football recruiting, standout athletes are constantly emerging, each bringing a unique blend of skill and potential. One such player making waves is Mike Tyler, a dynamic tight end who grew up in the shadow of Williams Brice. The 6 '4 225 ib local product is from The Hammond School and amassed 71 receptions, 1,161 yards, 13 touchdowns in his final two seasons for the Red Hawks. The kid is a winner, catching the game-winning touchdown in the 2024 SCISA State Championship, helping Hammond win their fourth straight title. His head coach Jon Wheeler said he believes Tyler can be the best player to ever come from Hammond. That is some pretty high praise as that is a school that produced a lot of high quality football players such as Jordan Burch and Alex Huntley. You see the basketball background come out immediately on tape he displays explosiveness, short-area quickness, and second-jump twitch that's extremely uncommon for a human that large. First tight end I remember having kickoff and punt return highlights all over his tape, the athleticism is off the charts for this uber talented young man.

Recruiting: When the Columbia, S.C., tight end committed to LSU in August, it seemed like a done deal. He had impressed the Tigers’ coaching staff at camp, landed an offer, and quickly made his pledge after a family visit to Baton Rouge. But South Carolina wasn’t ready to back down. With Williams-Brice Stadium right outside his window, the Gamecocks made Tyler a priority, ramping up their efforts throughout the fall. While still technically committed to LSU, he became a fixture at South Carolina home games, soaking in sandstorm and steadily building closer relationships with Shane Beamer’s staff. The Gamecocks didn’t just recruit him, they made him and his family feel at home. Shawn Elliott, Beamer, and the entire staff stayed in his ear, forging a connection that ultimately proved stronger than geography or an early commitment. "Coach Beamer and his staff made me feel like a priority from day one." As signing day approached, the weight of playing for his hometown school became undeniable. Tyler, who had grown up in Columbia and spent Saturdays in the stands watching Gamecock football, realized his heart had never really left home. When he flipped his commitment from LSU to South Carolina, the decision wasn’t a shock to those who had followed his recruitment closely. He had seen firsthand how the Gamecocks utilized their tight ends, how Joshua Simon and Michael Smith were featured in the offense, how Beamer and Elliott emphasized development, and how the coaching staff believed in his ability as a hybrid playmaker. More than anything, he felt the genuine trust and investment they had in him. “Relationships,” he said, were the deciding factor. South Carolina made him a priority, and it paid off in a big way. For Tyler, the opportunity to stay home and represent his city meant everything. “Playing in the SEC has always been a dream, and doing it close to home makes it even better," Tyler said.

Strength and Skills: Tyler is a modern offensive weapon, built for today’s game. At 6’4” and 235 pounds, he blends the physicality of an in-line blocker with the athleticism of a receiver, making him a versatile piece that can be deployed all over the field. He’s got soft hands, routinely plucking the ball away from his frame, high-pointing passes, and demonstrating exceptional body control to adjust mid-air skills that stem from his days on the hardwood. But what truly sets him apart is what happens after the catch. Tyler has the uncanny ability, much like Josh Simon, to make the first defender miss. By using a combination of balance, vision, and physicality to turn short gains into chunk plays. Whether it’s stiff arming a safety to the turf or sidestepping a linebacker in the open field, he’s a YAC machine. Defenses have to pick their poison, put a linebacker on him, and he’ll expose them with speed and precise route running. Assign a safety, and he’ll outmuscle them at the catch point before tacking on extra yards. He can split out wide, align in the slot, or play H-back. South Carolina prioritized him because they saw a matchup problem and a valuable chess piece. His receiving ability is only half the story. What makes Tyler special is his willingness to embrace the dirty work. Right now, he excels as a blocker in space, where his athleticism allows him to track down defenders at the second level and sustain blocks against smaller defensive backs and linebackers. He moves well in the open field, squaring up his target and using his length to steer defenders out of the play. However, when working in line, especially against bigger, more powerful defensive linemen, he still has room to refine his technique. His base can widen at times, and he’ll need to add some weight to consistently hold up in the trenches against SEC-level edge rushers.