DakotahTyler

Missed the spring while recovering from knee injury sustained last season … Should be ready to go by the start of the preseason drills … Will have to hustle to pick up the new defensive system … Returned to the team during the summer of 2012 after a year away from school … Also has played on special teams … Came to UK as a tailback, then moved to the defensive backfield in the spring of 2010 … Has excellent speed … Has played in 16 games, including one start.

2012 (Junior): Played in the first five games before incurring a season-ending knee injury … Made 12 tackles, including a career-high six vs. Florida … Three tackles and a pass breakup in the win over Kent State.

2011 (Sophomore): Not enrolled in school.

2010 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in the last 11 games of the season after missing the first two because of an ankle sprain … Finished the season with 13 tackles, one tackle for loss, one pass breakup and one fumble forced … Had a good game against Tennessee, as he recorded one tackle and also made his first career tackle for loss and forced a fumble … Recorded three tackles against Vanderbilt … First career start vs. Mississippi State, where he gathered a season-high three stops.

2009 (Freshman): Redshirted at tailback … Named Offensive Scout Team Player of the Week once during the season.
High School: Multi-talented athlete has the ability to play either side of the ball in college … Started at strong safety for a state finalist as a junior, then played quarterback as a senior … Ran for 1,314 yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior, averaging an amazing 10.1 yards per carry … Ran for 11 touchdowns of 50 or more yards and had at least six TDs of 60-plus yards called back by penalty … Also passed for 769 yards and eight TDs … Senior honors featured all-conference, all-county and All-Metro Indianapolis by the Indianapolis Star … Pike posted a 14-1 record his junior year, with the only loss coming in the state finals of Class AAAAA … Made 81 tackles that season, including three tackles for loss, with eight pass breakups … Added 251 rushing yards and two TDs, averaging 8.1 yards per carry … Speedster who was timed at 4.38 seconds in the 40-yard dash, the best time at a Scout.com prospect camp … Also has a 36-inch vertical jump and has a squat lift over 500 pounds, according to Pike High School Coach Derek Moyers … Was a freshman teammate of former Wildcat Morgan Newton, who eventually transferred to Carmel HS … Honor-roll student who participated in the Young Men of Purpose community service organization … Tyler originally committed to Cincinnati in the summer of 2008 before changing his mind in favor of UK.

Personal: Born in Indianapolis, Ind. … Son of Kelly Tyler … A cousin, Jeff Teague, played college basketball at Wake Forest University … Major is communication and leadership development.

Community Cats: Participated in the Big Blue U Move-In (2012).

Dakotah Says … My favorite college class so far: philosophy … Other than the NFL, my dream job is: coaching … My game day superstition is: no red food … My ideal vacation spot is: anywhere warm … My hidden talent is: working hard … The coolest thing about being at UK is: the atmosphere.