South Carolina failed to get Mike Tyler’s pledge earlier this year. However, the Hammond tight end will be a Gamecock after all. Tyler made his ultimate college decision for the local Gamecocks on Wednesday during a ceremony at his school marking the opening day of the early signing period for the 2025 class. He will start at USC in June. “As a family decision, I have opted to transfer from LSU to USC. “Go Cocks,” Tyler added, revealing a white Gamecocks shirt beneath his grey NIKE sweatshirt. Tyler, accompanied by his father Mike Sr. and mother Stacey, broke down in tears during his speech before declaring his college choice.
Tyler committed to LSU on August 18. While the Gamecocks were not one of his top choices the first time around, they maintained touch with him throughout the process and during his senior year. Tyler attended many South Carolina games this autumn, including one versus Texas A&M on November 2. And he wore Gamecock-logo gloves to Hammond’s state championship game on November 22. Tyler claimed he informed the Gamecocks coaches of his choice after the Missouri game and the LSU coaches a few days later. “We weren’t talking throughout the summer (to Gamecock coaches) so I decided to commit to LSU,” Tyler informed us. “But things improved in September, October, and November, and things began to point to South Carolina, but I still struggled for a few of months to be honest.
“I just felt like part of the family there, and I enjoyed the culture, practices, and games.” I just felt like it was the greatest choice.” Tyler stated that, in addition to the culture and the Gamecocks’ success this season, he appreciated how the Gamecock coaches used the tight end position. This year, tight end Josh Simon leads USC in receptions, and rookie Michael Smith added a spark late in the season at the position. “I really see myself fitting in there, catching balls, blocking and excelling,” Tyler told me. “Plus I get to be close to my family to play football, close to the ones I love and can just excel.” Tyler is the third Hammond player to pledge to USC in recent years, following Alex Huntley and Jordan Burch (who later switched to Oregon). Bradley Dunn, a Hammond alum, walked on at USC and received a scholarship in August. Tyler is the 22nd high school recruit in the Gamecocks’ 2025 class, the 11th from South Carolina.
According to the 247Sports Composite, he is a three-star recruit and the 13th best player in the state. He is the only tight end in this year’s class. Preston Douglas, the Gamecocks’ former tight end recruit, transferred to North Carolina State this fall. Tyler (6-foot-4, 240 pounds) was not a traditional tight end in high school, spending much of his time as a wide receiver. During the event, Hammond coach Jon Wheeler stated that Tyler, as a freshman, had the potential to be one of the finest to ever come through the Hammond program. “He is top-notch when it comes to ability and talent,” Wheeler told reporters. “I think with his size and if he commits to it, stays healthy and works his tail off, I think the sky is the limit for him.” This season, Tyler caught 38 passes for 618 yards and six touchdowns, including the game-winning touchdown in Hammond’s SCISA 4A state championship triumph over Porter-Gaud. It was the Skyhawks’ eighth consecutive state championship. Tyler caught the winning pass in the state championship game for the second year in a row. He recorded a 32-yard reception in the 2023 state championship game against Laurence Manning and finished the season with 33 passes for 548 yards and seven touchdowns.
South Carolina Class of 2025 signees Anthony Addison (Edge) of Sumter High (6-3, 230) Damola Ajidahun (OL), Duluth, Ga. (6–6, 300) Taeshawn Alston (LB), Henderson, NC. (6-3, 230) Malik Clark (WR), Rock Hill High (6-2,185) Lex Cyrus (WR) of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (5-10, 175) Kendall Daniels (DB) of Norfolk, Virginia (6-4, 205). Donovan Darden (LB) of Havelock, NC (6-4, 225) Jaquavious Dodd (Edge), Eastside High (6-6,240) Kyler Farrow (LS), Hartland, Wisconsin (6-3, 200). Jordon Gidron (WR), Ridge View High (6-2, 185) Zavion Hardy (DL), Macon, Ga. (6-5, 285); Chris Hatfield (DB), Ludowici, Ga. (6-3, 195). Jaquel Holman (ATH), Blackville-Hilda High (6-1, 205) AJ Holloway (LB) of Buford, Georgia (6-2, 235) Christian Ingram (DL), Conyers, Ga. (6–6, 285) Damarcus Leach (DB), Abbeville High (6-2,185) Max Kelly (PK), Gallatin, Tennessee (6-2, 210) Brian Rowe (WR) of Concord, NC (5-11, 170) Kobby Sakyi-Prah (DE) of Roswell, Georgia (6-3, 230). Shedrick Sarratt (OL), Gaffney High (6-4,310) Jayden Sellers (WR) of South Florence High (6-0, 170) Josh Smith (LB), Dutch Fork High (6-1,225) Mike Tyler (TE) and Hammond (6-4, 220) Cutter Woods (quarterback), Westside High (6-3, 205) Caleb Williams (DL) of Chesterfield, Virginia (6-6, 275)
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