Video + Analysis: New Oregon State RB commit Calvin Tyler
In a state with a pretty good cast of running backs, 3-Star Silsbee all-purpose back Calvin Tyler might not be the first one that always comes to mind. After his commitment on Tuesday to Oregon State, however, his potential early impact in college might change that perception.
In his senior season, Tyler finished with 2,827 yards on just 248 carries. His big-play ability had caught the attention of a lot of programs, but his relationship with Beavers assistant Jason Phillips from his time at Kansas proved crucial.
“Coach Phillips was telling the Kansas coaches ‘this is the guy we need’ but they never offered me,” he said. “Once he got hired at Oregon State, we talked that Thursday and they offered me on Friday and that showed me how much they wanted.”
His relationship with coaches at other programs played a part in him choosing Oregon State as well. Before the Beavers were in the picture, he had originally been set to commit to Illinois. After he felt the Illini would prefer he delayed his commitment, and California chose to make changes with its staff, there was a clear path for Oregon State to win him over with how much they wanted him.
Tyler is looking forward to the opportunity to play as a true freshman and describes his potential role as that of a ‘utility player’ that will line up as a slot receiver at times. That should be an easy transition for him, as he showed last spring on the camp circuit and in 7-on-7 events that he is a capable receiver that can flip on the afterburners when he turns it upfield.
His burst is what he said the Beavers coaches like best about him and that it’s really the calling card of his game. Thickly built, but not a huge player, the torque Tyler generates from that burst gets him through the line with the power to run through arm tackles and around the edge and down the sideline on stretch plays. On counter plays, he’s quicker to plant a foot and cut through a seam faster than the defense can react to the play.
After Tyler saw how the team operated while he was on campus for his official visit, he bought into the culture of the program as well.
“I’ve been close with Trevon Bradford, Christian Wallace, and Jalen Moore,” he said. “They love all the coaches and they’re just dedicated. They’ve been working hard in the offseason - I was out there for one of their practices and they were out there early in the morning working hard, so that showed me how much they wanted it out there.”