Hammond TE Mike Tyler (6-5 225) wrapped up his winter visits Saturday when he spent around six hours at USC visiting with head coach Shane Beamer and tight ends coach Justin Stepp. Tyler brought along his parents and his uncle. He said from the moment he arrived Beamer made him feel like a part of the team.
“When I first arrived, Coach Beamer greeted me at the door. I’ve never had that happen. It was special to me,” Tyler said. “We went around to position meetings. I went to his office. I enjoyed everything. He sees me more of a hybrid, not like an end-blocking tight end. I can stretch the field, but I can also block, too, so I can get matchups with smaller DBs.”
Tyler also had plenty of face-to-face time with Stepp, who just recently move over to the tight end room from receivers. Stepp also explained to him how he would be used in the USC offense.
“The same thing as Coach Beamer. He sees me more as a hybrid,” Tyler said. “He’s an awesome dude. I love his personality. I love both of them. I feel like me and Beamer have a great relationship now, especially since I’ve seen him a couple of times and we’ve talked a lot. We talk more on a personal basis.”
Tyler said he will return to USC for several spring practices. He also plans to take an official visit with the Gamecocks in June. That date has not yet been set.
In January, Tyler made visits to North Carolina and Virginia Tech. He said at this stage of his recruiting, he does not have a set of favorites. Some of his other offers are Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, UCF, Wake Forest, Coastal Carolina, East Carolina, Liberty and NC State.
Last season Tyler caught 33 passes for 543 yards and seven touchdowns as he was part of a third state championship team.