3/18/2014 football Edit

Tyler hoping first offer starts a rush

Rob Cassidy

Recruiting Analyst

Sometimes the initial breakthrough is the hardest part.

Evan Tyler hopes that applies to the business of football recruiting, too. The Corona (Calif.) Eleanor Roosevelt High School cornerback recently grabbed a scholaship offer from San Jose State, and now he's hoping more schools follow the Spartans' lead.

It's not as though there's a shortage of interest building around him. BCS-level coaches are aware of his is existence and intrigued enough by his speed and 6-foot-1 frame to give him extended looks. They're just taking their time making anything official.

"I hear a lot from UCLA, California and Stanford," Tyler said. "I know the Washington State coaches like me, too. I think they're probably the closest to offering."

Tyler has already toured Washington State's Pullman campus once and is likely to return should an offer materialize. The school made its first impression, and it seems it was a memorable one.

"I went there for their junior day last week and it was pretty fun," Tyler said. "It's a small city, but there's actually a lot going ion. People around there really care about the school. "

From here, though, the offseason visit schedule is mostly localized. Tyler plans to cross state lines to tour Utah but will return to his home state for trips to UCLA, USC and Stanford sometime during the course of the next two weeks.