Pasco: Player spotlight: Wesley Chapel receiver Tyrone Tomlin

Player spotlight: Wesley Chapel receiver Tyrone Tomlin

By JAMAL THALJI

WESLEY CHAPEL -- Tonight, when all those Division I recruiters are busy scouting Clearwater Central Catholic quarterback Jay Davis, or wideouts Carl Edwards and Carl Wahlbeck, a player on the Wesley Chapel sideline just might catch their eye.

At 6-0, 185 pounds, he's not the biggest Wildcat, certainly.

But he's just a sophomore, and growing fast.

It will be hard to miss him though as he lines up at receiver, sprints downfield, finds an open area, catches the pass and then turns upfield, threatening to break off a big run.

His opponents have certainly noticed. But so far none have been able to do anything about Wesley Chapel's Tyrone Tomlin.

Pasco County's leading receiver has 13 receptions for 271 yards, is averaging 20.8 yards per catch and has three touchdowns. He is also a big reason why the second-year school is 2-1 and enjoying the first winning streak in its short history.

And if they do want to stop him, well . . .

"That's what I want," Tomlin said. "Because when they focus on me, then my other teammates can do what they want to do."

He isn't the young Wildcats' only weapon, but he is the closest thing to a game-breaking playmaker in Wesley Chapel's arsenal.

"If we can get the ball to his hands, a lot of good things can happen," Wildcats coach John Castelamare said. "We're pretty well-balanced. We've got a lot of kids we can run the ball with. But it's nice to know we have a guy we can throw it to."

And to think, Tomlin's career almost ended before it began.

It was during last season, on Oct. 21, that Tomlin was arrested and charged with throwing a .22-caliber bullet that discharged in a hallway at the school. After a brief suspension, he returned to the school for spring football.

At the time, Tomlin led all Pasco County receivers with 22 catches for 344 yards and four touchdowns, and one of those was the first score (an 89-yard slant pass from Spencer Honeycutt) in school history.

Now, Tomlin is back and glad to put that incident behind him.

"It feels pretty good being here," he said. "I like it a lot. I like being back with my friends and my teachers again."

As for last year's incident, Tomlin said "it was a big lesson for me."

Tomlin has been learning a few of those on the practice fields, as well. Castelamare said the sophomore is developing into quite the player.

"He knows what it means to be a complete football player," the coach said. "He's learning now what it means to be a teammate."

Castelamare said Tomlin has room to improve, certainly, but he is already one of the team's top physical specimens.

"He's got to concentrate a little bit more," the coach said. "He's working out more, he's that kind of kid. If he lays off for two weeks, he'll still come back in the same shape. He's built strong that way."

Tomlin said the work is paying off.

"I'm working harder in the weight room, in the classroom," he said. "I'm trying to get myself up."

One day, when he's a senior, Tomlin said he'd like to be the one being scouted.

"I can't wait," he said. "I can't wait."