LEWISBERRY, Pa. — If you don't know the name, Tyler Merrill, it's still early in his high school career, but you likely will.
"I think right now I'm in a decent spot. I think it's just staying consistent, staying flexible, staying on top of school, and also, focusing on things outside of football because football doesn't go on forever."
Even before summer vacations start, the Cumberland Valley sophomore lineman has already made trips to Ann Arbor, South Bend, Happy Valley, Syracuse, and Athens, just to name a few.
"As time goes on, things start ramping up here. It's definitely just put me on the right path," said Merrill.
And that path started early, but some saw it coming.
"I was doing a youth group in Camp Hill and I have pictures with him," recalled former NFL lineman and Big Man Classic coach Jaimie Thomas. "He was like 11 years old and he was still at that point almost six-foot, you know what I mean? But the guy was wearing a size 14 shoe at 11 years old!"
The relationships built early on are also the ones that Merrill continues to depend on, as the scholarship offers reach a new level, with schools like Alabama and Georgia offering the sophomore.
"I think, right now, I'm in a decent spot," said Merrill. "I think it's just staying consistent, staying flexible, staying on top of school, and also, focusing on things outside of football because football doesn't go on forever."
"After that freshman season, he had four or five offers and then after a sophomore season this year, we're up to about 25. You know. All the Division 1 schools are calling for him," added Thomas.
But, Merrill remembers when the game of football, and his size, started to turn heads.
"I started really noticing it towards the end of eighth grade when they started moving me up to freshmen football," claimed Merrill. "I realized, 'Hey, there are some levels to this and I'm progressing pretty fast. So, I definitely started taking a little bit more seriously.’"
Thomas, who went from Central Pa. to being drafted by and playing for the Indianapolis Colts, believes that Merrill has what it takes to one day play in the NFL.
"I think surrounding myself with him and all these people around here is just going to make me a better player and even a better person," said Merrill of Thomas.
"He's a mammoth of a man, he's athletic, he's smart, a good kid, he loves to work, so the future is extremely bright for that kid," added Merrill.