St. Martin's Tyler Polk weighs options with Southern Miss, Army offers on table
Tyler Polk's senior season came to a disappointing close Friday night in St. Martin's 34-33 loss to D'Iberville, but he's now got a big decision to make before signing day on Feb. 3.
Polk holds scholarship offers from Southern Miss, Nicholls State and Army, but he's unsure where he wants to continue his football career.
Polk played several positions on offense, defense and special teams during his impressive career at St. Martin. Where he will play on the college level is up in the air.
"In high school, I played every position. In college, I know I can't do that," Polk said.
The position he believes is his best fit is slot receiver, but he's getting mixed messages from college coaches.
Army wants him to play quarterback and Nicholls State says he can play the slot.
Polk said Monday it's unclear where USM might want to place him.
"They've talked to me about certain positions," Polk said. "I don't mind being a defensive back, but what I really want to be is a slot."
In his senior season, Polk completed 35-of-62 passes for 712 yards and 13 touchdowns with two interceptions. He rushed 170 times for 1,186 yards and 14 touchdowns while pulling in 18 passes for 282 yards and three scores.
USM offered Polk a scholarship before his junior season and the staff continues to recruit him.
USM head coach Todd Monken made a stop in St. Martin on Friday, landing in a helicopter on the team's practice field at the start of the fourth quarter. It was one of a handful of stops for Monken as he visited some of his recruits.
"Our athletic director told me it was going to happen, but I didn't believe him," Polk said. "At the end of the third quarter, I saw the helicopter land on our practice field and I was like, 'Oh my God.'"
Monken also stopped by to check in on D'Iberville defensive lineman Jacques Turner, who recently verbally committed to the Golden Eagles.
Monken had the chance to speak with Polk after the loss and gave him some words of encouragement.
Polk said Monday that if he feels like his preferred school doesn't allow him to play the position he wants, junior college is a good backup.
"I can go to junior college and get bigger and better at the position," Polk said. "Hopefully, I can get a better D-I offer if I go to junior college."
Polk said he is sending his film to various programs in hopes of receiving more offers.
College coaches are telling Polk he needs to pack on a few pounds and that will be a big focus in the coming months. He stands 5-foot-10, 165 pounds.
"My cousin is a body builder and he's letting me know all the good stuff to take," Polk said. "He just tells me to eat right and watch what I eat. I'll go to the gym every day."
This story was originally published November 9, 2015 at 4:19 PM with the headline "St. Martin's Tyler Polk weighs options with Southern Miss, Army offers on table ."