One of a handful of recruits who committed to the University of Arizona in recent weeks, Tyliek Raynor was the first in the group.
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Class of 2016 Tyliek ‘Liek’ Raynor (pronounced Tyleek) is looking forward to leaving the cold weather in the city of brotherly love behind him to his home away from home, Tucson.
He will also be leaving his current support system which includes best friends Lij, Que, Shaq and Nassir he enjoys hanging out with as well as his mom Cinnamon Green and dad Javas who have “always been there for me.” Tyliek is the oldest of four; he has a brother Jabril and sister Ginger who are twins, and a ten-year old brother Mikal.
Tyliek was born and raised in Philadelphia, like another Philly player on the current Arizona Wildcats team, senior safety Will Parks. According to Raynor he hung out with Parks during his recent visit to the school but he also knew him beforehand, “I knew him in Philadelphia, I worked out with him, he is someone I resonate with.” So Coach Rich Rod is now able to recruit from Florida, Louisiana and Philadelphia which adds diversity to the team which hails mostly from the west coast.
Arizona was one of his top three offers on his list which also included West Virginia and Temple (included in his top three), Boston College, Miami, Purdue, Connecticut, Iowa and many more. It came down to Temple and Arizona, “I liked Temple a lot but didn’t want to stay home.”
Insert the University of Arizona which already was high on the list and the farthest school away from home. He just knew it was the school for him after his last visit, “I liked the coaches, when I went there it seemed like I was home, the running back coach is great, the weather was great, in Philly the weather is cold. I went to Tucson two weeks ago. They took me everywhere on campus, and to food spots off campus.” He was rockin’ Arizona colors back in April, and soon he will live in Wildcat red, white and blue.
Although he will miss high school, Raynor’s looking forward to his senior year as he and his Imhotep Institute Charter High School Varsity team have their sights set on winning the championship this season, “I’m going to miss my teammates and coaches, memories in high school, it will be my senior year of football…we are a good team, lost in the city playoffs to Archbishop Wood last season who eventually won the state championship. This year I want to be the champion!”
https://twitter.com/Tyliek_Raynor7/status/513384503302057984
Raynor confirmed he is a 5’9 185 pound running back who loves the game of football as well as getting through defenders, “I get to outrun people, I like to get the ball in my hand and get people to miss tackling me, it’s the position I have liked since I was really young.”
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He ranks ninth in his state in position and ESPN has him listed as a four-star athlete. I asked him if he knew ESPN scouts ranked him with four stars, “I thought I was ranked three stars but I don’t pay attention to all that.” Proving he is Rich Rods kinda guy. He also resonates with Rich Rods “all 60 minutes” mantra, “It’s unique..don’t ever give up!”
He also has his own mantra:
Gabe Encinas of AZ Desert Storm breaks down the first commit of the last wave of talents as follows, “With a grain of salt, he has a lot of similar qualities as Ka’Deem Carey, excelling between the tackles and exploding through the gap. He also has the speed to bounce it outside without losing any ground, typically staying as a north and south runner.”
In April of this year, Aaron Carter of Philly.com interviewed Tyliek and his friend and teammate Nassir, here is what Nassir had to say about his teammate and our new Wildcat:
"Naseir Upshur, a junior four-star recruit at Imhotep (according to Rivals.com) with offers from nearly every major D-I program, has been pointing coaches in Raynor’s direction.“I put the word out for ‘Liek for every school I’ve ever gotten recruited by,” said the 6-foot-3, 230-pound tight end. “I really want to see him be successful.“He’s played a big part in my high school career that nobody knows about. Basically, I’ve had the work ethic, but Tyliek’s the kind of guy who wants to work out all day.”"
Tyliek patterns his game after LeSean “Shady” McCoy because “he makes the defense miss.” He also listens to Meek Mill “Intro” prior to games; Meek Mill is also from Philly.
What is he looking forward to at Arizona? “I look forward to get a good education, win championships and go the next level.”
Liek is very close to his grandmother, Charlotte, she is his rock, and although he is travelling out west he will be missing her a lot, “I will miss my Mommom also she is always there for me when I need it the most and she will be a person I will miss the most.”
He also wants all Arizona Wildcats fans to know, “I can’t wait to get down there and get ready to work!”
BEARDOWN LIEK!
Here is his sophomore highlight film: