This LSU commitment has visited USC four times this season. Will hometown recruit flip?
A busy few weeks are ahead for Hammond’s Mike Tyler.
The senior tight end and the Skyhawks will go for another S.C. Independent School Association championship on Friday against Porter-Gaud.
And in the weeks that follow the state title game, Tyler must decide exactly where he’ll be signing to play college football.
Tyler has been committed to LSU since Aug. 17, but the hometown South Carolina Gamecocks have made a strong push to land him. He’s attended four USC games this season, including Saturday’s come-from-behind win over Missouri.
“I loved it over there. The atmosphere is always awesome,” Tyler said Monday before Hammond’s practice. “I like how they use the tight ends and they catch a lot of balls. I could see myself being a part of that in the future … and I could really add to the tight end room.”
As for whether or not he’ll ultimately stick with LSU or sign with the Gamecocks?
“I don’t know yet,” he said
South Carolina wasn’t considered one of Tyler’s final schools when he committed to LSU. But the Gamecocks continuted to recruit him and got firmly in the picture.
Tyler isn’t the only in-state player USC is trying to flip from another school. The Gamecocks are still working on Irmo QB and Virginia Tech commitment AJ Brand and Lancaster OL Kevin Peay — but Peay announced Monday he was sticking with Georgia Tech.
Tyler told The State he’ll publicly announce his final decision on signing day, Dec. 4. He won’t enroll in college until June.
The Gamecocks don’t have a tight end committed for this year’s class after Preston Douglas flipped his pledge to North Carolina State on Oct. 31. South Carolina’s top tight end, Josh Simon, will be out of eligibility. Others who have seen playing time at the position this year are transfer Brady Hunt and freshman Michael Smith.
“I’ve got to see how it goes. I have been talking to my family a lot,” Tyler said. “... Culture is like a family over there. They bond with each other great. It is a big decision. It’s going to be hard. It is close to home. The communication has definitely been there. Right now, I’m an LSU Tiger.”
LSU tight ends coach Slade Nagle was in Columbia a few weeks ago to visit Tyler. The Hammond senior took his official visit to Baton Rouge for the Ole Miss game and might return there this weekend for LSU’s home game vs. Vanderbilt.
“Their message was, look at the stats and how they get tight ends into the league,” Tyler said. “And I can really be a big part of their offense down there when I get down there. Coach Nagle has been a big part of my recruitment for LSU.”
The 247Sports Composite ranks Tyler as a three-star prospect and No. 12 overall in South Carolina for the Class of 2025. He has 35 catches for 568 yards and five touchdowns for the Skyhawks, who will be going for their eighth state championship Friday night.
“I want to get four state championships under my belt here at Hammond,” Tyler said. “I have loved it here. It has been a great journey and I am just ready for this Friday.”
Coming Up
WHAT: SCISA 4A Championship, Hammond vs. Porter-Gaud
WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Charleston Southern
TICKETS: $12 for adults and $5 for students. They can be purchased on GoFan
