AMHERST — Tyler Lytle attracts a crowd during UMass football practices.
Teammates regularly surround the graduate transfer from Colorado, high-fiving or hugging him and having short conversations.
“He brings a lot of poise. He brings a lot of character. It’s very gravitational. Everybody wants to be around him,” UMass tight end Taylor Edwards said. “He’s a super talented person, not only as an athlete but as a person. It brings a lot of confidence as an organization with him in the huddle.”
Lytle, a Redondo Beach, Calif., native, emerged from a crowded quarterback competition to earn the starting job. He had the most collegiate experience of UMass’ four contenders, playing in seven games for the Buffaloes. None of them were starts, though. Lytle hasn’t started a football game since Nov. 11, 2016, a high school sectional playoff loss against the Mission Viejo Diablos.
In the intervening years, he’s watched, learned and waited as a backup at Colorado.
“The starter stayed very healthy,” Lytle said. “You prepare the same. I’m working just as hard, in terms of film, knowing the game plan, or watching film with (UMass) coach (Walt) Bell and (quarterbacks) coach (Frederick) Walker. Elite preparation going into this week.”
Lytle also grew into a more complete football player and person. He arrived in Boulder, Colo., in January of 2017 after graduating early from Servite High School in Anaheim a 6-foot-3, 185-pound kid who’d never seen snow and played too much Fortnite and Call of Duty. After redshirting his freshman season, Lytle competed for the starting job over the next two seasons, seeing action against Colorado State (twice), Oregon and Washington State in the fall.
He started reading more books and learned to play the guitar and ukulele.
“As I’ve gotten older, I guess my activities have gotten a little more boring,” Lytle said. “I think it’s just growing up. I think it’s just being an 18-year-old and a 23-year-old. It’s very, very different. You kind of figure out a lot of things, figuring out a lot of new things on what you like, kind of what you want to do. What’s healthy for you, on and off the field.”
After not playing in 2020, Lytle announced his graduate transfer to UMass in January. He’s pursuing a master’s degree in business analytics. The last book he read was The Bitcoin Standard by Saifedean Ammous. Lytle declared himself an “amateur” guitar player that enjoys performing songs by the Beatles because they’re simple.
“I’m trying to spend my time more wisely and be more mindful of my time and being productive,” he said.
It’s shown in his body. Lytle now stands 6-foot-5 and is listed at 225 pounds, though he said he fluctuates between 227 and 230.
“I thank (strength) coach A.T. (Turner) and the rest of the training staff. I think from a strength standpoint, development standpoint, physically I’m probably as well prepared as I’ve ever been in my life,” Lytle said. “It’s a huge jump in what I’m able to do physically.”
But his physicality isn’t what made him UMass’ QB1. Lytle was injured for more than a week of fall camp and spent it taking mental reps and learning from the coaches. He understands the offense well despite just picking it up in the spring and knows where the football needs to go.
“He’s a timely decision maker,” Bell said. “He’s what we need.”
HEALTH UPDATE – Bell said UMass will have two players definitely out Saturday against Pitt and possibly a third. He declined to name the players.
“One’s a starter. One would have definitely been a contributor,” Bell said. “We’re expecting one of those back possibly the second week.”
BACK IN THE SADDLE – Saturday’s game will be Bell’s first as both an offensive coordinator and a head coach after he assumed those duties prior to this season. He hasn’t been an offensive coordinator since he was at Florida State: a November 2018 loss to Florida.
“It’s what I did to get here. For me it’s getting back on the bike a little bit. It’s exciting,” Bell said. “I’ve got a great offensive staff that allows me to do both of those jobs.”
FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING – Saturday will be the first-ever meeting on the football field between UMass and Pitt.
WISDOM – Despite not being on UMass’ first two-deep depth chart of the season, freshman quarterback Zamar Wise still might play a role in the Minutemen’s offense with his speed.
“As long as it fits within the scheme of what we’re going against, absolutely. He’s a guy that’s really athletic and a guy we’ll find multiple ways to use as he continues to develop as a quarterback,” Bell said.
BE PREPARED – Though the Minutemen don’t host Boston College until next week, start planning for parking now.
UMass will only allow parking in lots surrounding McGuirk Alumni Stadium to those that have reserved spaces beforehand ($10). Free parking will be available in remote lots for those that don’t.
For the Minutemen’s five other home games, parking will be priced on a tier-based system. Fans can always reserve a spot for $10. For those who arrive on game day without a reservation, it will cost $40 (cash only) against Connecticut, Toledo, Rhode Island (Tier 2) and $30 (cash only) against Eastern Michigan and Maine (Tier 3).
Parking lots open four hours prior to kickoff for tailgating.
Kyle Grabowski can be reached at kgrabowski@gazettenet.com. Follow him on Twitter @kylegrbwsk.