by Lee Brecheen
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| Jacob Tyson |
September 6, 2011 - Linebacker Jacob Tyson of West Monroe is the third Tyson in his family to play football at West Monroe High School. His older brother Jonas Tyson played at West Monroe, and his other brother Jonathan Tyson was All State last year in 2010 at West Monroe High School as a Linebacker.
Over the years, the Rebels have had some great Linebackers that I’ve personally seen go on to college. Not all of them became stars, but they were all leaders and tough nosed players. The best Linebacker to ever come out of West Monroe as far as speed and God given ability was Bradie James, who went on to star for the LSU Tigers and is currently in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys. I feel like Jonathan Tyson and Jacob Tyson are two brothers who have the same make up to be NFL players one day. Jonathan Tyson will have one more year to play Junior College ball, and I predict he will sign with a big time college after that. Jonathan will be a Middle Linebacker in college at 6-1, 241 pounds with a 4.69/40 and big frame.
Speed wise Jacob Tyson is the most gifted Linebacker I’ve seen at West Monroe High School since Bradie James (6-2, 220) and Barkevious Mingo (6-5, 210) who is currently at LSU. Tyson reminds me more of a Bradie James for the next level in stature and speed. Mingo is now 240 pounds at LSU and Bradie is now over 245 pounds with the Dallas Cowboys. I think Jacob is a late bloomer and will flourish more in college. This is a kid that is 6-2, 220 pounds and runs a legit 4.55/40, and loves to hit and tackle. He was overshadowed by his older brother Jonathan in 2010, but in 2011 look for Jacob to put up big time numbers in the tackles, losses behind the line, sacks and in the overall stats department. I also predict by season’s end he will end up All State like his brother Jonathan in 2010 as a Linebacker.
Whoever signs this young man will get a kid who can play either Outside Linebacker or Middle Linebacker, with the speed to play any style defense for any college in the United States. I love his speed and size for the next level. You’re looking at a kid who will run 4.5 to 4.6 in the forty at 230 to 235 pounds in college.
There are so many good players on defense in 2011 for the Rebels, so it’s very hard to just single out Jacob Tyson at LB. All three linebackers starting in 2011 for the Rebels have a chance to all sign with colleges before their high school careers are over. They also have two big Defensive Ends that will sign in 2010 who are getting a lot of the attention in 2011. They are Terrell Lathan (6-4, 255) and James McFarland (6-3, 240), who is already committed to the TCU Horn Frogs in Fort Worth, Texas. This is one of the best Rebel defenses ever on paper, and a great year from Jacob Tyson will cement his name in the history books like Bradie James if he can help them win another state title in 2011 in Class 5A.
Make sure to pick up the new 2011 Louisiana Football Magazine Preview at www.lafootballmagazine.com/store where we have more coverage of the West Monroe Rebels and Jacob Tyson.
I hope you enjoy the interview below with writer Mark Clements.
Interview by Mark Clements
LAFM: For starters, what’s your current height, weight and forty time?
JT: I’m 6’2”, weigh 220 and my forty time is 4.5.
LAFM: Are you originally from Louisiana?
JT: Yes sir – West Monroe.
LAFM: Which teams did you root for growing up?
JT: I would say Texas and LSU and Alabama.
LAFM: When did you first start playing football?
JT: I first started playing when I was in fifth grade.
LAFM: Has it always been a big part of your family? Have you had any family members who played football in the past?
JT: Yes sir, Jonas Tyson and Jonathan Tyson – my brothers.
LAFM: Do you play any other sports?
JT: I did track at a point in time in my 9th grade year and I powerlifted.
LAFM: Do you play any other positions?
JT: I a couple of things but my primary position is linebacker
LAFM: Is there anyone in college or the Pros that you look up to or try to model your game after?
JT: I would have to say probably Clay Matthews. I like his agility and his speed and he can see where the ball is.
LAFM: What do you think is your biggest strength as a player?
JT: I would have to say my speed and power.
LAFM: What part of your game are you trying to improve upon most next year?
JT: Biggest thing I want to work on is my speed and getting better at reading things and being able to move and react faster to the ball moving or the man that I’m on. Just to get faster in the game.
LAFM: Have you been to any camps at this point? If so, which ones?
JT: I went to LSU camp.
LAFM: Which colleges have you hear from or received offers from?
JT: One offer I received is ULM. Other colleges are like LSU and those type of colleges are talking to me about offers. ULM is the only one that I have officially received an offer from.
LAFM: Which schools stick out right now at the top of your list? Is playing close to home a big factor in your recruitment?
JT: Right now I would say Texas and LSU.
LAFM: Have you thought about what you might want to study in college?
JT: No I haven’t thought about that yet.
LAFM: What are some goals you’ve set for next season, for yourself and for the team?
JT: This year I would like to get over at least 50 tackles and at least 10 sacks. That’s my goal, but I expect myself to do more than that. [As a team] we want to make it back to the Dome and win.
LAFM: Which school is your favorite to play against, or which game gets you the most fired up each year?
JT: That would have to be Ouachita. There’s big history behind it and it’s a rivalry like Neville is but not as big as the Neville rivalry is.
LAFM: What are some of the most memorable games or plays you’ve been a part of?
JT: When we played Neville in 2009. We won with just seconds left in the game and our defense kept making big stops.
LAFM: And lastly can you give us your current GPA and ACT score?
JT: My current GPA is a 2.9 and I’m not done taking the ACT yet.
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