Tyler Friday kept a low profile for most of the offseason but that gave him time to figure out how he wants the rest of the recruiting process to go. The Rivals100 defensive lineman out of Ramsey (N.J.) Don Bosco is close to setting up his official visits.
IN HIS OWN WORDS…
“The offseason went pretty well,” Friday said. “Recruiting picked up a bit and I got a bigger idea of what I want to do. I’m still taking it slowly and will take my official visits some time in the next few months. Michigan and Ohio State will definitely get official visits but I don’t know the rest yet.
“I just love Michigan a lot,” he said. “It’s a great school. I talk to their coaches all the time so I feel like I have a great relationship with them. I just can’t wait to go back there. I learn more and more about the program every time I go there. I’m very impressed with that defense. I could see myself fitting in there very well. There are a lot of familiar faces over there on the defense.
“Ohio State has been pretty much the same as Michigan with me,” said Friday. “I talk to them a lot too, especially Urban Meyer. He’s doing a great job over there and I know they’ll bounce back. That’s what I love about that program. They know how to win and get out of their slumps. I’ve been getting to know the coaches as people and find out more about their character. That means a lot to me.
“Miami and Penn State are still in the mix,” he said. “UCLA is a school that interests me more and more as the year goes on. Georgia is another school that I want to look at. Of course Rutgers is a main school. Michigan State is another school I want to look into. Urban Meyer and James Franklin are the two coaches I have the best relationship with right now.
“I guess they are expecting me to be the hometown hero at Rutgers,” Friday said. “Anything is possible because I’m not really sure and I want to keep my options open. I’ll say Rutgers has an equal chance as everybody else.
“I just love the way Penn State is playing right now,” he said. “Watching them on TV, they’re doing a great job. The coaching staff is amazing as well. I talk to coach Spencer and coach Franklin pretty often. They’re all great guys. I’d say the way they are recruiting me now (as opposed to a few months ago) is a good difference. They’re getting to know me more as a person with some FaceTime calls. I always appreciate those.
“Things are slowly growing with Miami,” said Friday. “They have a great history and I feel like they are getting closer to being back to what it used to be like in the Ray Lewis days and Michael Irvin and all those guys. I feel good with Miami and I feel like they are going in the right direction.
“I feel like I would fit in great at UCLA,” he said. “I like their program and they are doing a lot of good things. It’s another program that’s taking a turn for the good. The coaches always talk to me about taking a visit out there.
“I’ll probably wait until February to sign,” Friday said. “December is possible if I feel comfortable with my school then.”
RIVALS’ REACTION
Friday is quietly moving through the recruiting process but it seems like this will turn out to be a familiar battle as Signing Day gets closer. Michigan, Ohio State, Rutgers, and Penn State are all vying for Friday’s services. Penn State is short on spots in this recruiting class but Michigan, Ohio State, and Rutgers would benefit from his commitment. Miami and UCLA could be factors down the stretch but their involvement hinges on whether or not they get official visits.
