A year ago, we spoke to Tyler Batts, who is a local football player looking to achieve his dream of making an NFL roster. Batts has played professionally indoors for the past two years. In 2012, he was a member of the Cedar Rapids Titans of the Indoor Football League, where he earned the team’s Rookie of the Year Award. Batts rushed for 308 yards on 74 carries for six touchdowns. He also had three receiving touchdowns on 18 catches. Last year, Batts had 300 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns on 32 carries as a member of the Lakeland Raiders. He also caught 20 balls for 200 yards and eight scores.
With Batts back in town, Pittsburgh Sporting News decided to do a follow-up interview to see what Batts has been up to.
Michael Waterloo: So Tyler, what have you been up to since we last spoke?
Tyler Batts: Well, I still played for the Lakeland Raiders this past year, and spent a week with the Tampa Storm of the Arena Football League. But when I was there, I hurt my hamstring, so I was unable to do anything. I continue to work out, and recently worked out for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League. They wanted me to come out for the expansion, but I didn’t have a passport.
MW: Well, since they have the interest, have you been able to obtain a passport?
TB: They said you can’t get them right now with the government shutdown. There’s ways around it if I drive to the border. I guess a team can write me a letter. The player personal guy from Winnipeg really likes me, and wants me to come workout for them after the arena season. I’m taking it one day at a time.
MW: The CFL would be an interesting transition from the game you’re used to, right?
TB: Honestly, the CFL and the AFL are the exact same thing to me. You have the same motion in the CFL that you do in the AFL. A lot of people don’t understand that. If I play outdoor football there, I’ll be an even bigger playmaker because the field is wider. If I had to pick, I’d take the CFL.
MW: But wow, Canada. It would get pretty cold up there.
TB: It’s so cold now. It’s 50-60 here in Pittsburgh, and after spending time in Florida, it’s real cold. But for now, I’m concentrating on school and training. I’m controlling what I can.
MW: So you’re still in school? You have to be close to graduating by now, right?
TB: I’m still in school, yes. I usually take the spring off. It’s a two-year program, but it’s longer because I take the springs off for Arena football. I’ll be graduating in Dec. 2014.
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MW: So with graduation coming up next year, and football still the dream, is there a time when you say, “OK, it’s time to move on?”
TB: Yeah, I’m going to give myself one more year. I may try to play arena again. If not, I want to coach basketball with my father who is the head basketball coach at Jeannette High School. My brother Julian is the starting point guard and quarterback for the Jayhawks.
MW: Wow, it’s a pretty athletic family you come from then?
TB: Yeah, it is. My brother Jordan is a defensive end at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and my cousin B.J. Stevens plays at CalU. My dad also played at Edinboro. Athletics are all around me. That’s why I want to ultimately be an athletic director.
MW: OK, so if you go back to play football this year, where’s the most likely place you will end up?
TB: Well, my coach from Iowa when I played there just signed on with the Pittsburgh Power. I have a private workout with them coming up.
MW: What about playing for Lakeland again? Is that a possibility?
TB: I’m not going to return there, no. But I’ve spoke to the Tampa Storm, Orlando Predators and a couple of Indoor Football League teams, as well. That league is more of a running league. I’ve spoke to the Colorado Ice and Texas Revolution.
MW: Well if you had a preference, where would you prefer to play?
TB: If we’re talking just Arena League, then the Power. All of my family is here, and they haven’t seen me play since college.
MW: That’s not too surprising. But with the IFL, you would be able to be more of a running back, which you always have been. Will playing in the AFL switch your role?
TB: I’m turning into a slot receiver. I’m pretty much a slot playing running back, because I know how to run routes. I had eight receiving touchdowns last year — including two which were called back. I can run routes, and I can do whatever.
MW: Was it a big transition for you?
TB: I’m versatile. It’s easier to make that adjustment to the slot. Like I mentioned in our previous interview, I’m like Darren Sproles, Wes Welker or Jamaal Charles; it’s easy for me.
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MW: Well we know about the AFL, CFL and IFL possibilities, but you’re main goal is the NFL. Have you had any more workouts or interest from any teams there?
TB: We have had some good calls, and good feedback from the Raiders. If you look at all of their running backs there — Darren McFadden, Marcel Reece and Rashad Jennings — they’re all big guys. They weren’t really using small backs in their system.
MW: Any NFL team would be amazing, but your good friend Terrelle Pryor has opened up some eyes this year. What would be be like to play with him at the next level?
TB: Man, it would be great. We are so close, and he’s taught me a lot. I’ve watched a lot of film with him learning schemes. He’s taught me how important pass blocking is. It’s really going to help me once I get in, because I already had the knowledge, and know how to pick it up. Playing with him would be great. We always work out together, and it would just be tremendous.
MW: Speaking of Pryor, he’s one of the new breed of quarterbacks out there, along with Colin Kaepernick, Russell Wilson and Robert Griffin III. With the read option, does that make a back like you more dangerous?
TB: Yeah, I think it does. I think for me, with the read option, with someone like Pryor, that’s an advantage for us. But it all depends. It’s about the quarterback now. Look at McFadden. People don’t understand that he is a really good player. You have to account for the quarterback. A guy like Pryor is strong enough, and his athleticism is inhuman. A lot of teams don’t understand that the quarterbacks have the speed. Like Pryor can just jet away from the defense. It’s kind of changed the game. I mean look at Peyton Manning, even he rolled out to the outside for a rushing touchdown (laughing).
MW: And Tyler, being the local kid, I’m assuming you’re still keeping tabs on Gannon University, right?
TB: I absolutely am. The running back that is there now (Jansen Jones) is doing a great job. He was a freshman when I was there, and is a senior now. He should’ve played when I was there, truthfully. He had 209 yards and four touchdowns against Edinboro last week. Gannon is in first place in the PSAC West after IUP lost. I’m proud of him, and he’s one of my closest friends.
MW: Tyler, thanks for the time, and best of luck. We’re pulling for you.
TB: Thank you. I appreciate it.
