Last season, Lavadius Lyles quarterbacked his squad to the Class 2A State Championship
game. He had 160 rushes for 1, 063 yards (15 TD's) and was 131-231 for 2, 139
yards (21 TD's). All total, he had 3, 202 yards of offense and 36 TD's.
His skills do not stop there, as he also chipped in 7 interceptions on defense
and returned one of them for a TD. Lyles was named the Class 2A Player of the
Year over Taylorsville's Billy Hamilton.
Lavadius is also a two sport star as he averaged over 18 points a game this
past season for Forest in basektball while manning the combo guard positions.
Billy Hamilton was a Finalist for Mr. Basketball. Hamilton and Lyles have been
going at it for years, and they have a mutual respect for one another.
"That is the person who I can say is better than me," added the personable
Lavadius Lyles. "My sophomore year, when he was a junior, he had all of
the hype. I played him, and I can honestly say, he is the truth. He is good
at both sports. In football, it was a revenge game for us. He put us out of
the playoffs my sophomore year in football, so we got him back this year. We
put them out in the 3rd round. We gave him a little taste (laugh)."
Which position is Lyles best at in football?
"I feel like QB is but in college they will probably have me to running
back or slot. I just like running the ball a lot. If I see green, I am going
to take it."
The 5' 10", 183 athlete has been starting on defense since 9th grade.
"My freshman year I started at cornerback, and then my sophomore year they
started me both ways at QB and CB. I also return kicks. I ran back a few this
year. I believe my vision is what makes me so good with the ball in my hands.
That is why I feel like running back or slot is best for me. I can see the field,
and I get in and out of my cuts. I am real fast. I can make people miss and
break tackles."
Which colleges are heavily involved in the recruiting process?
"When it comes from hearing on the phone, just Ole Miss. I call Coach Derrick Nix every once in a while. I get letters from MSU, USM, Stanford, Princeton,
Auburn, Duke, just a lot of places."
What is going on with Ole Miss?
"Nothing big, just really a conversation here and there. We just talk a
little bit. Coach Nix talks about offering me a scholarship. He said I just
have to stay patient. I am going to try and go to their Jr Day on April 18th.
They have their spring game that weekend too. I do like the way they play though.
I feel I can replace Dexter McCluster. That is who I look up to. I try to pattern
my game after him. He is small and quick. When I running the ball, I feel like
I am #22 for Ole Miss. Ole Miss is going to have a good team next year too.
Hopefully I will get that offer. I also sent my tape to USM this week. I am
just waiting on a response. I will probably call their recruiting coach this
week since they can not call us yet."
Lavadius expands on Southern Miss.
"I have not called USM back yet, but I went to their Jr Day a few weekends
back. It is a nice school. I will consider them, but I do not know too much
about them. I am going to call their recruiting coordinator and ask him if he
liked my tape. I met him at Jr Day, and we talked a while. His name is Coach
Bradford."
Ole Miss and MSU held there last Jr Day on the same date, February 28th, and
they are holding their upcoming Jr Day yet again on the same date.
"I am trying to make up my mind about which Jr Day I am going to go to.
They are both on the (April) 28th, so I do not know what I am going to do."
Lyles has a connection with the Bulldogs.
"I have been wanting to go to MSU since I was like a little boy. I had
been to like 5 MSU basketball camps since I was little. My cousin, Michael Gholar,
played basketball and football for MSU a few years back. He has always had my
involved with MSU. When I was little, I always wanted to be the next Michael
(Gholar). When I told him that I had been talking to Ole Miss on the phone,
he about had a heart attack. He said no, don't you be talking to those guys.
They are the enemies (laugh). He was just playing with me. My family on my mom's
side wants me to follow in Michael's footsteps and play for MSU. My dad's side
just wants me to get a college degree. They do not care where I go. They just
want me to get my degree."
Lyles reports a 3.0 GPA / 19 ACT.
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