Tyler Erkman

Appeared in 12 games at safety and as a special teams contributor ... Finished with 26 total tackles, including 15 solo stops, while adding 1.0 tackle for loss, one interception and two quarterback hurries ... Recorded his first tackle of the season against Portland State ... Posted three tackles against Valparaiso ... Registered a career-high four tackles at UNI ... Tallied a career-high seven tackles at Southern Illinois ... Recorded his first career interception against Indiana State, returning the pick 47 yards to set up a Fighting Hawk scoring opportunity ... Closed the season with four tackles in the NCAA FCS Playoff game at Tarleton State. Started 11 games at safety and appeared on special teams before missing the final game of the season with an injury ... Tied for No. 1 in the MVFC and No. 13 nationally in fumble recoveries (2) ... Tied for third on the team in both interceptions (1) and pass breakups (3) ... Sixth on the team in solo tackles (23) and eighth in total tackles (31) ... Had five tackles on three occasions ... Put down a season-best five solo stops in the 27-24 win over No. 4 Montana ... Named the MVFC Special Teams Player of the Week on Sept. 30 after blocking a punt in the 72-35 win against Murray State. Did not see any game action. Spent time as a wide receiver, defensive back and kick returner at Lake Zurich High School … Named the All-Area Player of the Year as a senior … Two-time member of the First Team All-Conference and First Team All-Area Teams … Gained First Team All-State status in 2022 … Piled up 1,976 all-purpose yards in his prep career … Scored 17 touchdowns … Finished his high school career with 66 tackles and nine interceptions … Helped the Bears win the 2022 Conference Championship.