Umatilla High School football player Tyler Pounders’ journey hasn’t just been about touchdowns and tackles, it’s been about honoring family, building faith and putting in the work when no one’s watching.

Tyler’s first sport was soccer, and he was good at it. But everything changed after the death of his grandfather Jerry Pounders.

“Popi loved football,” Tyler says. “I really wanted to do that for him.”

Tyler joined a 12U Pop Warner team and found immediate success, scoring every one of his team’s points that season. At first, his family thought it might be a fluke. But then he did it again in 14U. His natural talent, paired with a strong work ethic, quickly set him apart.

“I was really good at football right away,” Tyler says. “That first game, we were worried about the contact, but I was a good tackler. I watched a lot of YouTube videos and studied how to tackle.”

Tyler’s role evolved in high school. He started out as a safety and kicker during his freshman and sophomore years but last year also had an explosive season as a wide receiver with 537 yards and seven touchdowns. Tyler has since become a versatile piece of Umatilla High, playing offense, defense and contributing on special teams. He’s like the Travis Hunter of Lake County. He never comes off the field unless there is a punt.

“I’m mainly there to help out wherever the team needs me,” he says. “It’s about footwork, routes, the little things people don’t always see.”

His strongest asset might not be his leg or his hands, but his heart. Tyler, a devout Christian and member of First Baptist Church of Umatilla, draws inspiration from former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow.

“I like how he has faith in the Lord and shows it in everything he does,” Tyler says. “Before games, I pray with my team or in the corner alone. I ask God to take over and keep everyone healthy. Even if we lose, I never blame him.”

He lives by the verse Psalms 37:24: “Though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand,” emphasizing God’s unwavering support for those who follow Him, even when they stumble or face challenges. 

Tyler strives to lead by example, not just on the field, but in the classroom and community. With a 3.6 GPA, Tyler was recently invited to join the National Honor Society. He also volunteers with local Pop Warner teams, helping to coach the younger generation of athletes.

“I like helping the little kids and giving them what I’ve learned,” he says. “It helps me become a better player too.”

Tyler hopes to play college football and pursue a degree in engineering. He’s already received an offer from Warner University and is working hard to earn more.

That work ethic comes from home. Tyler’s father, Allen Pounders, owns AWP Site Development, LLC out of Eustis. Tyler helps on job sites, learning lessons in responsibility and discipline.

“My dad always says, ‘Go to school and get good grades so you don’t have to dig holes,’” Tyler adds.

He’s the youngest of five siblings, with three sisters and one brother, and says some of his best memories come from time spent with them. His mother, Sarah Pounders, serves as the treasurer of the Umatilla High School Athletic Association. They are very involved with the community, and Umatilla is a special place for the Pounders.

“Umatilla is small, but we’re close,” Tyler says. “Everybody knows everybody. It feels like family. Anytime you step out onto the field you look up and you see so many people in the stands you know. Umatilla is a special place.”

Photos: Cindy Peterson