Servite 2017 QB Tyler Lytle Steps Out of a 4-Star Shadow Casting His Own Potential 4-Star Spotlight

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Very few high school programs are lucky enough to mold a quarterback talent into a 4-star recruit or even lucky enough to have a player with that kind of talent step foot on the field. At Servite, head coach A.J. Gass was lucky enough and good enough to help develop emerging gunslingers into next level talent. Starting with Cody Pittman in the 2012 recruiting class, Pittman signed with Villanova, Neil Pau’u was a BYU commit in the 2013 class, and Travis Waller was a 4-star recruit in the 2014 class signing with Oregon. The next in the long line of talented quarterbacks out of Anaheim is Tyler Lytle with new head coach Scott Meyer continuing the trend.

Fans of the Friars program have long been aware of Lytle’s talents but it has been a wait and see affair, waiting for Waller to finish his senior year and for Lytle to get his shot at leading the team. Lytle has grown into the role, quite literally, from a 6’4”, 195 pounder, to a full-sized 6’5”, 205 pound, talent. During the 2015 season, Lytle showcased enough of his talents to get college coaches hooked on his potential. All of the intangibles and measurables are there for Lytle. He has the height, the weight, and the ability. The Class of 2017 recruit can run if he has to and he can throw in the pocket or throw on the run. The list of college offers includes Washington State, Temple, UNLV, Fresno State, Hawaii, Columbia, Cal, Colorado State, Boston College, Oregon State, and Miami with more programs sure to follow with Oklahoma State, Washington, Arizona State, and Wisconsin among the teams showing current interest.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I caught up with the 3-star prospect before the college and exposure camp circuit heats up where Lytle could see his status rise quickly to that of a 4-star recruit.

Interview

Tyler, you played at the varsity level in what is arguably one of the toughest conferences in the nation (Trinity) to gain some very valuable experience. What were some of the things you got better at with that time on the field?

“I caught up quickly to the speed of the game during my first year of playing varsity. The first few weeks really got me going, got me on my feet fast. I made some good plays and some bad plays. I learned from it. I don’t think any other team out there had a schedule as tough as ours. Playing in the Trinity League plus we played Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas).”

You mentioned you made some good plays out there. What were some of the things you did well in the pocket?

“My biggest thing in the pocket was trying to avoid off-balance throws. I think I did a good job of avoiding pressure, stepping up in the pocket, and throwing an accurate ball.”

What are you working on this offseason to improve upon for your senior year?

“I’m working on my overall athleticism and trying to get bigger, stronger, and faster. I’m watching a lot of film. I’ve put on 10-15 pounds since the season ended. Physically I’m getting better. At the quarterback position, I’m fine tuning things.”

Are you going to any college camps this summer?

“I’m heading to USC’s Junior Day on Saturday but no, I have no camps set up. A lot of schools are coming by this spring to watch me throw.”

Do you have any plans to attend any exposure camps?

“I’m not sure yet which camps I may attend. As of now, I’m doing the Elite 11 in Oakland.”

How many offers do you have right now?

“Eleven.”

Of the 11 schools that have offered you, which schools are maybe pushing a little bit harder than the others to land your verbal commitment?

“Oregon State, Temple, Cal, Washington State, and Colorado State – all the schools are still in regular contact with me. I’d say all the schools that have offered me are pushing the same.”

Which schools are showing interest in you but have not offered you yet?

“Right now Washington, Oklahoma State, Arizona State, Wisconsin, SDSU (San Diego State), Alcorn, and Rutgers are all showing a lot of interest.”

You mentioned an upcoming unofficial to USC, do you have any other unofficial visits lined up this offseason?

“This spring I plan on visiting all the schools that have offered me. Those schools will be my priority because they want me and have offered. I’m visiting Hawaii over spring break. I want to hit all of the schools that have offered me.”

When you start taking these visits, what will be some of the influential things you are looking for from each program?

“Each college has something different to offer. I think the biggest thing – most recruits, as soon as you get on the campus you can tell if that school is for you or not. Can see yourself at that school for the next four years? I can’t put a finger on it expressing it other than it just feels right.”

Did you take any unofficial visits during the 2015 season?

“I headed up to Cal, saw a game there. I went to Wazzu before the season.”

When you started taking these trips and experiencing the college atmosphere for yourself, what were some of the things that caught your attention?

“It all looks like fun for me. I can’t wait to get to school. I can’t wait to play at the next level. It’ll be a lot of fun. The game day atmosphere for all the schools are pretty great.”

How is everything going in the classroom for you?

“I have a 3.53 GPA.”

Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?

“No, I’m starting in March with the ACT.”

Have you thought about what you want to major in once in college?

“I definitely want to major in business but I’m not sure in which area of business. I’m interested in medical device sales and real-estate.”

Are you playing on any 7×7 teams this spring?

“Yes. I’m playing with Elite Athletes.”

Have you played in any tournaments yet?

“We played in one so far. We’ll be in Vegas for the Philon tournament in a couple of weeks. Jeff Johnson is the coach. He does a great job. We get a lot of work in and get better.”

Who are some of the guys on the team that you are throwing to or going up against in practice?

“Keith Taylor (4-star DB – Servite), Sire Woods (3-star TE – La Mirada), and Elijah Hicks (3-star ATH – La Mirada) are a couple of the guys on the team most people have probably heard of so far.”

Tyler, thanks for your time today and good luck with your 7×7 tournaments.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: twitter.com; No. 7 Tyler Lytle scores a touchdown for Servite.

Photo credit: irishsportsdaily.com; No. 7 Tyler Lytle drops back to pass for Servite.

Photo credit: recruitingnewsguru.com; Tyler Lytle at a Steve Sarkisian camp summer 2015.

Photo credit: MM Sports Photography.