Profiles In Terpage – A Countdown To The Football Season: Ronnie Tyler
By petevolk
A recurring series where we will profile every player and coach on Maryland’s roster, counting down to kick-off against Miami. Thanks to OBNUG for the idea.
Today we profile a player who is in contention for the starting slot receiver spot.
Ronnie Tyler, Senior (RS), Wide Receiver
Stats:
Height: 5’9″
Weight: 185
Ratings: Three stars, #19 athlete by Rivals; three stars, #51 running back by Scout; three stars, #48 running back by ESPN; #159 wide receiver in 2012 draft class by NFL Draft Scout
40-yard dash time: 4.53
High School Stats (Senior Year): 62 rushes for 552 yards and one touchdown, 41 catches for 664 yards and seven touchdowns, two kickoff returns and four interception returns for touchdowns
High School Stats (Junior Year): 103 rushes for 1,113 yards and 17 TD
College Stats (through three seasons): 61 receptions for 720 yards and three touchdowns
High School: Wagener-Salley High School (Wagener, S.C.)
How’d He Get To College Park?
Ronnie Tyler had one of the most productive high school careers in the state of South Carolina in the past decade, being named all-state three different years while rushing for over 3,200 yards and 40 touchdowns in his career. Besides running back, he also played some quarterback and wide receiver at Wagener-Salley, and was an all-state point guard. He chose Maryland over Clemson, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia Tech.
After serving a year at prep school at Hargrave Military Academy, he stayed true to his commitment to Maryland and came to College Park in 2007. Since then, he has played in all but one game in his career as a Terp, starting in seven and catching a touchdown pass in each of his three playing seasons. His most productive season came as a sophomore, when he started in five of twelve games, catching 28 passes for 346 yards and a score.
More after the jump.
Nickname:
Ronnie “Ron Ron” Tyler
Career Highlight:
Catching his first career TD in the bowl game against Nevada as a freshman.
Career Lowlight:
Not winning the starting job outright this year.
Arbitrary Top Six List:
Major highways in Aiken County, South Carolina:
1. I-20
2. I-520
3. US 1
4. US 25
5. US 78
6. US 278
Dream Season:
Tyler wins the starting slot job outright, catching at least 30 passes and having a fine senior season.
Nightmare season:
Tyler loses out to Kerry Boykins in the slot battle.
2011 Prospectus:
Ronnie Tyler currently shares the WR-W spot with Kerry Boykins, with no clear leader in sight as of yet. Tyler has more experience, both in terms of years with the program and playing time, but Boykins is currently listed at the top of the depth chart (granted, with a giant OR in between his name and Tyler’s), for whatever that’s worth.
Tyler is a great story – he comes from an extremely poor area of South Carolina, has a strong connection with his family and has really made the most of his opportunity at Maryland. He’s the kind of guy you really want to see succeed, and luckily he’s been put in a place to do just that.
Tyler is a better receiver than Boykins, but he’s not as adept of a blocker, which we’ll talk about very soon. No matter who gets the starting job, expect both to see lots of playing time – the loser will likely be Maryland’s fourth receiver, and Gary Crowton is likely bringing in some spread formations to College Park.
Up Next:
Our next player was a highly touted prospect out of Virginia coming out of high school.
Follow this writer on Twitter @Pete_Volk.