Spring Valley’s Tindall shines with all eyes on him at media day
The smile that Spring Valley’s Channing Tindall had on display Sunday afternoon at the annual High School Sports Report Media Day at South Carolina’s indoor practice facility was very genuine.
He conducted interview after interview and never seemed bothered by the process of nearly everyone wanting a couple of minutes with him. He was a late arrival but was one of the more sought after prospects on the unofficial start of the high school football season.
That’s probably a good thing since Tindall’s stock has soared since the end of last season. The 6-foot-2, 208-pound linebacker recently was ranked as the No. 1 outside linebacker and No. 22 overall prospect of the 2018 class by 247Sports.
“It can get a little overwhelming at times, but I understand it’s part of the recruiting,” Tindall said.
Tindall visited Georgia on Saturday and is scheduled to go to Florida and Florida State in the coming weeks. He’s been a regular as South Carolina as well and hopes to get back to Auburn before finalizing his decision in September. Tindall wouldn’t name a favorite but said the visit to Georgia went well and each time he’s visited USC, he has come away impressed.
“The main things I’m looking for right now is getting one-on-one time with the position coach and work out with them and see what I can learn from them and take what I learn from there and apply it to here,” Tindall said.
“The Georgia trip was amazing,” Tindall said. “I got to spend more time with coach (Glen) Shumann (Georgia linebacker coach) and that’s what I really wanted. I went down there to try and learn, and see how it would be if I went there, getting one-on-one attention. I also love coach (Coleman) Hutzler (USC linebacker coach), and I think he has the tools to help me make it to the next level.”
Tindall’s stock found another level after his performance at The Opening, a skills event for the top high school prospects across the country.
“The Opening trip was amazing. I met my favorite player, (Pittsburgh Steelers LB) Ryan Scherzer,” he said. “I learned much from the different players there. I got to meet maybe future teammates. Just being there, going against the top ranked athletes around the nation.
“I (learned) I can compete with anybody. I didn’t make an excuse about playing linebacker for two years. I went out there and gave it my all. I’m going to push regardless of the challenge.”
Tindall is still learning the linebacker position. He’s was a defensive end until moving to linebacker before his junior season. That has allowed him to make plays from sideline to sideline for the Vikings.
He has the frame that he could add 25 to 30 pounds and not lose the speed that has made him standout among the nation’s elite.
“The great thing about him is he’s so versatile,” Spring Valley coach Robin Bacon said. “He can play inside, and he can also play outside. That’s an advantage that you don’t have to sub a guy if you’re going to a nickel or dime package. You can leave him in the game and not have to bring in a skill guy. He can cover the flats, he can cover a guy vertical. He gives you that ability to play on the outside but also play on the inside. I think that’s important for a lot of schools recruiting him.”
This story was originally published July 16, 2017 at 10:45 PM.