Top 5 Underrated Option Era Players - Tyler Carmona
#4 – Tyler Carmona
Option football isn’t kind to wide receivers when it comes to box score glory; they call themselves “wide blockers” for a reason. Still, there have been a few that put up strong numbers. Jamir Tillman had 1,626 career receiving yards, the closest anyone’s ever gotten to Rob Taylor’s Navy career record. Greg Jones’ 662 yards in 2010 is the fifth-most in Navy history. Tyree Barnes got an NFL look. Several others delivered memorable moments. But when it comes to making the most of his opportunities, I don’t know if there’s anyone in Navy history quite like Tyler Carmona.
At 6-4, 227, Carmona was the most punishing blocking receiver of the option era; Navy fans might remember the blocks he and Dishan Romine threw in the 2016 Notre Dame game. He was also the most big-play receiver Navy has ever had. His first two receptions in 2017 went for 56 and 79 yards. Nearly one out of every three of his 23 career receptions was a touchdown, including his magnum opus to clinch the 2017 Air Force game.
Carmona averaged 27.2 yards per reception that year, which would be a school record if not for falling one reception short of the 15 needed to qualify. His career average of 24.9 yards per catch would also be a school record if it wasn’t just two catches short.
With or without the ball, Tyler Carmona was one of the option era’s most explosive players.
