Tylin Drakeford is a 5-foot-10, 170-pound defensive back and wide receiver of Camden High School in Camden, South Carolina who turned in a standout performance on both sides of the ball in 2024, recording 950 yards and 57 receptions for 11 touchdowns on the offense and 62 tackles, three tackles for loss, two interceptions and seven pass break ups on the defense.

He is seen making crisp, smooth cuts when catching passes from a variety of patterns on the route tree and making acrobatic catches on the sideline and in the end zone. Drakeford is especially dangerous on deep routes and while open in space.

And in what may further speak to Drakeford's overall athletic abilities on the Palmetto State Gridiron, he provided an dangerous, underrated wrinkle to the Bulldogs' offense in 2024 running the football. Drakeford was taking direct snaps and handoffs to the outside, where he showed off his physicality, speed, change-of-direction, and peripheral vision. Drakeford was slippery in between the tackles. He was especially dangerous running towards the sidelines on the outside-zone play call, going untouched for long gains and scoring plays. Drakeford was also a threat on the special teams returning punts and kickoffs for Camden.

And while Drakeford does suggests traits worthy of a potential wide receiver at the next level, big-time Division One coaches like him at the defensive back position.

That's because he is intelligent, makes pre-snap recognitions, has quick feet, and utilizes his high-flying, airborne ability to make physical, circuit-style pass break ups. Drakeford has a commanding presence in the defensive backfield. He demonstrates good confidence and a high football IQ.

But his most underrated quality may be his ability to establish a strong presence on the edge and stop the run as a defensive back.

Drakeford good angles when pursuing the ball carrier. He plugs holes in between the tackles. Drakeford can play defend the run in the hybrid position moving up closer like a linebacker but is also seen defending the run from deep in the backfield. He finishes his opposition with textbook tackles, getting low to the ground or coming down with a big hit.

Drakeford draws a feeling eerily similar to Class of 2025 Jordan Crim, his teammate and close friend at Camden who is committed to Virginia Tech as a safety. Crim also starred at wide receiver, safety and across the field for the Bulldogs.

RECRUITMENT

Drakeford's recruitment only continues to pick up momentum as he prepares for his big-ticket senior season finale under Midlands Friday Night Lights this offseason.

Tylin tendered offers from Charlotte and Akron before the start of the season but he is now on the radar of Liberty and Georgia Southern. He may even see a Wake Forest offer early this year. Other potential suitors could also be in line.

Drakeford talked about his young, growing recruitment in an exclusive with PalmettoPreps recruiting editor and co-owner Lee Wardlaw. Here is everything he had to say:

LIBERTY

The offer from Liberty, a strong Group of Five program who has a pipeline to the Palmetto State via head coach Jamey Chadwell, was news to get excited about for Drakeford.

"I was very excited, because Liberty is a great program. They know how to win and develop great players and young men," he said.

Tylin heard of the offer from safeties' coach Aaron Firebaugh via a phone call. "We talked about (Firebaugh) coaching my defensive backs' coach, TJ Gurley, at South Carolina, offseason plans, and getting up there for a visit," he said.

The Liberty assistant has ideas for how Drakeford could potentially fit into the Flames' defensive scheme in the future. "He said he could see me fitting in at the nickel or corner because he likes the way I fly around," he said.

GEORGIA SOUTHERN

Drakeford tendered an offer from Georgia Southern this September while completing another strong season with the Bulldogs.

The offer was a cumulation of not only a strong performance from Drakeford in the classroom and on the field, but a developing bond between he and Eagles' defensive backs coach Jerry Stafford.

Stafford shared the news of the Georgia Southern scholarship via a phone call with him. "He was pretty much just talking about the season, and I had a game coming up that Friday against Ridge View. He was just asking me how I (thought) I was going to do, and all of that.

Drakeford believes in what he sees in the Eagles' defensive backs coach. "I think he's a really solid guy. He's cool, and he is honest," Drakeford said.

And Drakeford also sees a program that is building a strong foundation under the leadership of head coach Clay Helton, who formerly was top boss at Southern Cal. "I think (Helton) is building a strong program down there in Statesboro.

The Eagles finish 8-5 in 2024, falling to 10-3 Sam Houston State in an instant-thriller classic in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. "They played a really good game, but they just couldn't get the win. That's just how it goes sometimes," he said.

But that dosen't mean the program isn't on the rise. "I want to get down there for a visit," Drakeford said.

WAKE FOREST

Drakeford camped with Wake Forest this June, learning new tips and trick of the trade on the field at BB&T Stadium with coaches from the big-name Power Four ACC program. He went through the drills with Wake safeties' coach, James Adams.

Drakeford soaked in the knowledge in Winston-Salem, applying it to his game for the future. "I learned how to stay patient during my back pedal and things like that. And it helped me with my game at Camden this season," he said.

He also embraced building a relationship with he and another Demon Deacons' assistant, Anthony Clark. "Coach Adams and Coach Clark were the two that I talked with the most. It was good seeing them again," he said.

Seeing them again? That's because Wake's coaches already knew of Drakeford's exploits over that spring. Adams and Clark were on his high school campus visiting him for a practice during the contact period last offseason. That's when he heard of the news of the camp invite from Wake.

"They came by the school over the spring. That's when they invited me to the camp," he said

Drakeford was on campus in Winston Salem for a visit for a big-ticket Demon Deacons conference game against Clemson. Drakeford enjoyed taking in the sights and sounds of campus. "It was a (great) atmosphere," he said.

Drakeford said that Wake Forest coaches may contact reach out to his high school coaching staff during the open period and that he might hear of a Demon Deacons' offer by the end of this month. "I haven't really heard much from them since that game, but (Wake) has been talking with my coaches. They might end up offering me later this month," he said.