Tyler Whiley finding positional home close to home

Redshirt sophomore linebacker Tyler Whiley, or is it defensive back? Or is it wide receiver? Or safety? He’s played them all during his time at ASU.

Now officially a Spur linebacker, the Scottsdale (Ariz.) Chaparral product is beginning to find a positional home. It wasn’t always easy, though, for the former four-star prospect in the 2014 recruiting class.

“A lot of guys come in differently,” Whiley said. “I felt like I was a little immature coming in. I feel like now I’m more mature…and just trusting the process, I think. Not really feeling down on myself because I didn’t play the first couple of years, I just kind of used that as a tool to help me learn the game more and when the time comes I’ll be ready.”

Part of what help Whiley through some of the difficulty of his first couple of years was his family and friends. They were a tool he could lean on and help to keep him focused.

Keeping close to family was part of the reason Whiley chose ASU and having them nearby helped him as he grew into the player he is now.

“It’s definitely a helping hand,” Whiley said of his family being close. “When they come to practice or even the games, that makes me want to work harder to get out there and make them proud. That’s pretty much what I’ve been working for now is making my family proud and everything like that so that’s why I’m glad I stayed in state.”

Whiley said his mother and father, in particular, are strong motivating influences. He texts them nearly every day and telling him to work hard and he’ll be able to achieve his dreams.

That dream includes getting on the field more but doing that has meant several changes in positions.

But the moves all over the field have helped Whiley better develop his knowledge of the defense especially.

“Knowing everything helps a lot,” he said. “If someone goes down or something like that I can always help them out, be a backup or whatever and if new guys are coming in kind of help them with a new position and things like that.”

Lately, Whiley has been playing at Spur linebacker and adding depth at that spot. His versatility, combined with his experience, has made the transition easier for Whiley.

And now he feels as if he has found a positional home.

“I think so,” he said. “I’m a versatile defensive back. I can play corner, safety, nickel or Spur wherever they need me. I’ll just do whatever I can do to help the team.”

Helping Whiley make his adjustment, he said, was his mindset.

“Being selfless,” he said has been critical. “Just trusting the coaches, everything. They just kind of found a spot for me to play and I’m thankful for it and give me a chance to make plays.”

Coach Todd Graham praised Whiley for his improvements and said he has been a camp standout.

“He’s done a great job, he’s been one of the most improved players on our defense,” Graham said. “I’m hoping that it’ll have a great transition to game day but he’s been great and had a great camp.”

But making plays on the field in a game will be a harder thing to come by. Linebacker is one of the deeper position groups on the team and cracking the rotation will be an easy task.

However, although there is competition, everyone in the group helps each other out to get better, including Whiley.

“Those guys they’re always open, helping me out as much as they can,” Whiley said. “You never know when someone’s gonna go down, then it’s next man up so we’re getting ready to help the team no matter what. I feel everyone has been helpful, guys are helping me transition to a new position.”

The team as a whole is in a new position as well. A year after they fell short of high expectations, the feeling around the team this year is simply about getting down to business and accomplishing their goals.

“ I just feel like this year our team is working really hard,” he said. “We’re all selfless individuals, we work well as a team, and I think we should have a really good year because of the way guys are buying into each other.”

As for his personal goals, Whiley has one on his mind.

“Just to win championships, to help the team win,” he said.