“I’m just excited. I’m really, really excited,” said Tyler, who visited College Park last summer and has family in Baltimore. “I really liked the area up there. I feel like I was actually home. That was a big thing.”

Tyler joined the Bears’ junior varsity squad as a freshman and was moved up to varsity for playoffs during his sophomore year. He cemented his role as Hertford County’s starting strongside defensive end during that postseason run, and flourished as a junior, helping the Bears to a 13-1 record and the third round of the North Carolina 3A playoffs.

“He was an integral part of our defensive front,” Privott said. “We only gave up 14 points the whole conference season. He got the defensive player of the year award. He was a very integral part. There were three or four touchdowns he returned from fumbles. He picked off two interceptions and took them back for touchdowns as well.”

Before school let out for summer, Tyler had landed an offer from Maryland. While he grew up a North Carolina fan, the Terps vaulted to the top of his list in a hurry.

“They just offered me straight off the bat,” Tyler said. “And I was shocked. I was surprised. … They [were] way out front.”

While Tyler has grown accustomed to winning in high school, he welcomes the challenge of joining a college program that has faced well-documented struggles in recent years.

“Sometimes you go through the bad to get to the better,” Tyler said.

Tyler still plays basketball for his high school team, but he’s been fully dedicated to football since sophomore year and has never regretted that shift in priorities. Privott said Tyler’s basketball experience has paid off in football, giving him great feet to go along with impressive speed, quick hands and improving strength. With another year for Tyler in the weight room, Privott expects big results from the future Terp.

“I was talking to him the other day, and I think the sky’s the limit,” Privott said. “As a North Carolina guy who didn’t get much attention from schools in North Carolina, I just think he’s a gem. I think Maryland got a gem. I think he’s really going to do well for us this year and have a great college career at Maryland as well.”