Round 3: Chiefs Draft DT DeMarcus "Tank" Tyler
Apr 28, 2007, 3:20:58 PM
DEF. TACKLE
N. CAROLINA ST.
6-2 306
FAYETTEVILLE, NC
AUDIO:
Q&A with DT
Tank Tyler
OVERVIEW
Tyler competed as an offensive tackle and defensive end at E.E. Smith High School, where he was named Cape Fear Region
Player of the Year in 2002. He earned first-team All-Two Rivers Class 4-A Conference and All-Cape Fear Region
accolades, as he led the team to a 12-3 record and a berth in the Eastern 4-A Regional Championship game.
Tyler also garnered All-Conference recognition as a junior. He was rated No. 28 among the nation’s defensive tackles
by Insiders.com and was ranked the eighth-best overall player in the state of North Carolina by Rivals.com. In his
final season, Tank registered 67 tackles with nine sacks.
The 300-pound defensive tackle graduated from high school early and enrolled at North Carolina State in January
2003, in time to compete in spring drills. He spent the season backing up Dwayne Herndon at left defensive tackle,
recording 13 tackles (6 solos) with a quarterback pressure in thirteen games.
Tyler dropped over ten pounds of bulk, winning a starting position at right defensive tackle in 2004 after the team
first experimented with him at offensive guard during spring drills. He started all eleven games, coming up with 16
tackles (7 solos), a sack and seven stops behind the line of scrimmage.
He began the 2005 season as a reserve until the Southern Mississippi clash, taking over left tackle chores for the
final six games when John McCargo was lost due to an injury. Tyler went on to collect 29 tackles (8 solos), 1.5 sacks
and seven stops for losses. He also recovered one fumble and had a quarterback pressure.
Tyler was awarded All-Atlantic Coast Conference first-team honors in 2006. He went on to record a career-high 49
tackles (26 solos) with three sacks, 8.5 stops for losses and four pressures. He also blocked one kick while playing in
twelve contests. In 47 games at North Carolina State, Tyler started 28 times (17 at left tackle, 11 at right tackle).
He finished with 107 tackles (47 solos) with 5.5 sacks for minus 42 yards and 22.5 stops for losses totaling 84 yards.
He registered six quarterback pressures, recovered one fumble and blocked a kick. His 22.5 tackles behind the line of
scrimmage rank 16th on the school’s career record list.
CAREER NOTES
In 1,780 plays, Tyler accounted for 173 tackles, with 12.4% of those stops (21.5) coming behind the line of
scrimmage.
2006 SEASON
Consensus All-Atlantic Coast Conference first-team selection…Team captain and the recipient of the Carl Brebaker
Award, given to the team’s Most Valuable Defensive Line-man…Started eleven of twelve games at left defensive
tackle…Participated in 619 plays, recording a career-high 49 tackles (26 solos) with three sacks for minus 22 yards and
8.5 stops for losses of 35 yards…Had four quarterback pressures and blocked a kick.
2005 SEASON
Played behind DeMario Pressley for the team’s first five games…Took over left tackle duties for the final six contests
(except vs. Boston College) when John McCargo was lost for the season due to an injury…Went on to record 29 tackles (8
solos), 1.5 sacks for minus 15 yards and seven stops for losses of 38 yards…Credited with one quarterback pressure and
a fumble recovery…Part of a unit that ranked sixth in the nation with an average of 3.5 sacks registered per game…The
team ranked eighth nationally in total defense, allowing only 298.67 yards per game…Competed in 357 of his 549 snaps in
the last five games.
2004 SEASON
Was tried at offensive guard during spring drills, but moved back to the defensive line prior to the season
opener…Started eleven games at right defensive tackle…Recorded 16 tackles (7 solos) with a 5-yard sack and seven stops
for losses of 11 yards…Participated in 445 plays.
2003 SEASON
Played in thirteen games behind Dwayne Herndon at left defensive tackle, seeing action in 167 plays…Finished with
thirteen tackles (6 solos) and one pressure…Graduated from high school early, he joined the team in January of
2003.
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended E.E. Smith (Fayetteville, N.C.) High School, playing football for head coach Milton Butts…Competed as an
offensive tackle and defensive end…Named Cape Fear Region Player of the Year in 2002…Earned first-team All-Two Rivers
Class 4-A Conference and All-Cape Fear Region accolades, as he led the team to a 12-3 record and a berth in the Eastern
4-A Regional Championship game…Also garnered All-Conference recognition as a junior…Rated No. 28 among the nation’s
defensive tackles by Insiders.com and was ranked the eighth-best overall player in the state of North Carolina by
Rivals.com…In his final season, Tank registered 67 tackles with nine sacks.
PERSONAL
Sociology major…Born 2/14/85…Resides in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
