South-Carolina
Hammond tight end Mike Tyler discusses flip to South Carolina
The writing was on the wall that Columbia (S.C.) Hammond School tight end Mike Tyler was likely to flip to South Carolina — on Wednesday he made it official.
After visiting the Gamecocks for just about every home game this year, Tyler flipped his commitment from LSU to South Carolina prior to signing with the hometown school on National Signing Day.
“It’s a lot of stress, so it’s a relief, honestly,” Tyler told GamecockCentral. “I’m just grateful that I had to go through this process. It’s a blessing. I get to stay close to home, play in front of everyone. They don’t have to go far at all, 30 minutes down the road. So it’s just very special to me and my family and my friends.”
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The nation’s No. 28 tight end prospect previously raved about his South Carolina official visit, which he took a few weeks ago for the Missouri game weekend. That’s when he knew where he’d be playing at the next level.
What were the deciding factors?
“The culture,” Tyler said. “How they’re on the up-rise. I really think I can add to the team in the 2025 class. And just being part of the family is the main thing. I’m other there basically every day, so I love it.”
Tyler was also personally recruited by head coach Shane Beamer.
“It means everything,” Tyler said. “If a head coach is talking to you consistently, he obviously likes you. I really saw effort there and that’s what really sparked my interest.”
Beamer’s personal recruiting touch was a major factor considering that the Gamecocks had three different tight end coaches during the early part of Tyler’s recruiting process.
But he ultimately would build a strong relationship with new assistant coach Shawn Elliott, who is in Columbia to stay.
“He’s a great guy,” Tyler said. “He’s very loud, very energetic. I’m definitely going to have to get used to the yelling (smiles) but I’ll be fine.”
Watching the Gamecocks so often this year, Tyler saw a lot of his own game in South Carolina tight ends Josh Simon and Michael Smith.
“It’s similar,” Tyler said. “They like to flex the tight ends out, and throw perimeter balls, and edge blocking. I think I can excel at those too.”
Now, he’ll get his chance.
WATCH: SCGOP announces plans to file lawsuit over voter party registration
The South Carolina Republican Party announces plans to file a federal lawsuit regarding political party voter registration in South Carolina.
The South Carolina Republican Party is planning to file a federal lawsuit to change the state’s primary voting process and require voters to register to a political party.
South Carolina voters do not have to register by political party, and are able to vote in either political party’s primary. State Republican lawmakers have pushed for legislation to close the state’s primary elections, but they have been unsuccessful in passing it.
South Carolina Republican Party leadership held a press conference at the statehouse in Columbia on May 12 to announce the new lawsuit related to closed primaries and required partisan voter registration.
SCGOP Chair Drew McKissick said that South Carolina political parties have the right under state law to define the terms of party membership and dictate who votes in their primaries. He said the law doesn’t offer the tool to enforce that policy.
“Many people who are not Republicans choose Republican nominees,” McKissick said. “That’s like allowing Carolina or Clemson fans to choose which players the other team puts on the field.”
U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman, R-District 5, is campaigning on closed primaries in his run for South Carolina governor. He said now is the time to institute closed primaries in South Carolina.
“I’m glad to see the party moving forward with it, and I look forward to having our day in court,” Norman said.
Last fall, the Republican Party of Texas filed a federal lawsuit against the state to close its primaries. The Texas Republican Party argued that the First Amendment gives political parties the right to determine who votes in their election.
Attorney General Alan Wilson offered his support to the South Carolina Republican Party as it takes up the lawsuit. The South Carolina Republican Party has not yet filed the suit, but McKissick said he expects the lawsuit to be filed shortly after the June 9 primary elections.
Bella Carpentier covers the South Carolina legislature, state, and Greenville County politics. Contact her at bcarpentier@gannett.com
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