South Carolina renews interest in hometown recruit who’s committed to LSU

Hammond tight end Mike Tyler has seen the last two games South Carolina has played.

Tyler, who committed to LSU in August, was on hand as a ticket-buying fan when the Tigers visited Columbia on Sept. 14. Last Saturday, he returned for the Akron game as an invited guest of USC tight ends coach Shawn Elliott.

The Gamecocks have had a hot and cold relationship with Tyler (6-5 225) throughout the recruiting process. He visited for the Clemson game last season and was back for a junior day in February. He did not take an official visit in June.

At that point it appeared the Gamecocks were willing to let him move on. And he did, to LSU.

Now, the Gamecocks have renewed interest.

“They were telling me that they were interested in me and that they wanted to reopen those doors and try to flip me, make me become a Gamecock,” Tyler said. “I understand because both sides didn’t think that a lot of communication was happening early on, so we just thought it was best to revisit it later in the season.”

Tyler has 18 catches for 330 yards and four touchdowns this season. He said Elliott plans to scout him Friday night but already has a good read on him as a player.

“He likes how I’m physical,” Tyler said. “I can run and catch the ball. From the games I went to, they are throwing the ball a good bit to the tight ends. Tight ends got involved in the running game a lot. They are always on the field.”

The way LSU has developed junior tight end Mason Taylor was one big reason why Tyler committed to the Tigers after visiting there three times this past summer.

“The culture down there is amazing. The food is great. The people are amazing, Southern hospitality. It’s real great,” Tyler said. “Just really looking at their offense to see how they’ve involved Mason and help him grow these last couple of years. Seeing him start as a true freshman really gave me hope that I can come in there, work my butt off and get some playing time early. I like the offense they run, how they use the tight ends. Mason gets like five balls a game. That’s what I want to do.”

Tyler will visit Duke this Saturday, and he’s looking at an official visit to USC the following Saturday for the Ole Miss weekend. He’s already taken his official visit to LSU but plans to return there for the Ole Miss game. USC, Duke and LSU are the only programs he’s considering.

“I’m feeling great right now,” he said. “Just seeing where the opportunity takes me. I’m just exploring my options right now but I’m still committed right now.”