Recruit Snapshot: Tyler Redmond
The excitement of the start of football season can only be improved by having a big game to start the season. The games don’t come much bigger than the top two ranked teams in the state squaring off, which is exactly how things began in Georgia in 2024 as Milton clashed with Buford. A plethora of talent was on display in the 13-10 Eagles victory, including senior corner and Tennessee commit Tyler Redmond.
Redmond is listed at six foot one, but looks like he could be closer to six foot two. He weighs in at 185 pounds, which means he is an exceptionally long, rangy corner for the Eagles. It is the huge wingspan and long strides that stand out when seeing Redmond in person. His teammate and fellow Tennessee commit Dylan Lewis is a big corner, but Redmond looks much taller. In coverage, Redmond can use his outstanding reach to create huge area of denial for opposing quarterbacks. It is tough to throw a pass to a receiver that Redmond is unable to affect if he is even close to being in position.
Staying in position is not an issue for Redmond either. He and Lewis are both well coached at Milton, something that stood out in an evaluation trip to see Lewis last season, where Redmond also had a strong game. Redmond uses his reach to disrupt receivers at the line, to jam them, and to create space to get off blocks when pursuing running backs or screens. It is Redmond’s technique that maximizes his physical frame the most, though. Redmond is smooth in coverage, staying in phase with receivers, many of whom will be playing FBS ball. His long strides make his speed deceptive, as he almost glides, looking as though his gait is effortless, while closing serious ground. Redmond is such a smooth athlete, he has the speed to keep up with any receiver, as well as to make up for any mistakes he does make. Then his size, leaping ability, and reach mean there are very few throws he will be unable to impact.
If it sounds like Redmond is a special coverage corner, that is because he is. Redmond has the body, technique, skills, and talent to match up well with any receiver, of any body type, that he will see in high school or at the collegiate level. Redmond is a good run defender, willing to be involved in that facet of the game as he demonstrate against talented Buford running backs Justin Baker, Jordan Allen, and Ethan Ervin. Redmond will step up and make a tackle on tough runners, but where he shines is as a pure cover corner. He brings the experience and skills to be a factor as a starting corner at the next level.
Tennessee defensive backs coach Willie Martinez was able to secure an early commitment from Lewis, and Redmond shortly thereafter. It isn’t a coincidence that Martinez and the Vols prioritized corner so early in the cycle. The Vols knew corner would be a need, and that was before losing 9 defensive backs off the 2023 roster. While the Vols have aggressively tried to add talented bodies to the defensive backfield, depth is still a concern for 2024 and 2025. An injury could see a freshman playing significant, meaningful snaps. Redmond provides Tennessee with a corner that can cover any type of receiver, can excel in man or zone, and has been playing against elite competition in games and practice his entire high school career. The transition to the SEC should be a smooth one for Redmond and Lewis, which means they should be ready early if the Tennessee defense needs them.
Ty Redmond and his Milton Eagle teammates are currently laser focused on trying to repeat as State Champions, and Redmond will play a major role if the Eagles manage the feat. The improvement in Redmond, the added polish and additional shine in coverage, are clear to see versus last season. This is a young man with big goals to end his high school career, but also a young man that is in an ideal place to transition into an early role as a freshman once he arrives in Knoxville.
