Chipley's Oliver finds home with Tusculum College

CHIPLEY — Tyler Oliver feared his football career was over when Chipley lost in the Class 1A state championship in early December. Then along came Tusculum College and his fears turned to elation.

Oliver on Wednesday signed with the Division II school located in Greeneville, Tenn., about nine hours from his home. He said he had other suitors, but the options dried up when the season began.

“I had some colleges look at me over the summer, but they laid off,” Oliver said. “I didn’t think I was going to get offered and it’s very exciting.”

Tusculum contacted Chipley coach Rob Armstrong expressing interest in Oliver during the Christmas holiday break. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound cornerback attended a combine at the school and he posted the fastest 40-yard dash time of 4.43 seconds.

The Pioneers run a 4-2-5, meaning Oliver could see time as a freshman at corner. He said he would be as content to redshirt and learn his first season.

“If I had to (redshirt) I’d still be happy because either way you look at it I’m getting the opportunity to be on a college football team,” he said.

Oliver, who had two kickoff returns for touchdowns and seven interceptions as a senior, said he is the second member of his family to attend college and the first to receive an athletic scholarship. He graduated with a weighted grade point average of 3.81 and plans to major in pre-medicine.

“It’s going to help me be a better man, now that I’ve turned 18 it’s time to be a man in the world,” Oliver said. “When I get there I want to balance being an athlete and keeping a level head with my grades.”