Miami Hurricanes 2018 Senior Profile: C Tyler Gauthier

What does it mean to be a leader? Does it require shouting and grabbing attention? Do you need to simply just go about your job, letting play speak for itself? Maybe it has to do with accountability, holding yourself and others to a standard of play. Whatever you define leadership as, it would be safe to say that center Tyler Gauthier should be part of the conversation when it comes to Miami’s offensive line.

Before The U

A three-star prospect out of Venice, Florida, Gauthier spent time at each position on the offensive line for Venice High. With a highlight reel that saw Gauthier planting opponents into the grass, reaching linebackers at the second level and walking defenders out of the play, it makes sense why teams became interested in Gauthier as a prospect. However, schools didn’t pick up on Gauthier until late in the recruiting process.

Fielding offers from Toledo, UCF and some other smaller schools, the University Miami got in on the action and put full courting pressure to land Gauthier on their roster. Gauthier committed to the Hurricanes in 2014, never wavering. It was a fairly open and shut recruitment by most measures.

Life as a Cane

As the offensive lineman position tends to require, Gauthier worked as a reserve and learned the nuances of working as an interior lineman. Those visual reps from his freshman year came in handy late in the 2016 junior season. Gauthier was thrust into the starting five at left guard. In his first game start at guard, the Hurricanes went on to pile up 450 total yards on offense. Gauthier would start the final four games of his sophomore season, gaining valuable game experience in the process.

Gauthier possessed two key traits for Miami’s offense: availability and flexibility. The latter is evident when, as a junior, Gauthier slid over to play center after some graduations and attrition across the line. With no drop off, Big No.74 would start all 13 games in the 2017 season at center. His play helped the Hurricanes win 10 straight games to start the season.

While there’s been changes along the offensive line, Gauthier has been one of the few constants for Miami in 2018. With the added responsibility of calling out adjustments and communicating with his brothers along the trenches, the senior has been a bright spot for the Hurricanes.

247 Sports

Don’t believe us? How about this gem of a stat from the folks at Pro Football Focus:

No other Hurricane lineman has been on the field for as many snaps as Gauthier the past two seasons, 92.5% this season (392) and 98.5% last season. The team’s third-highest graded lineman has only allowed four total QB pressures (zero sacks) and yet to be penalized.

—Brent Rollins, PFF

Gauthier has been one of the toughest SOBs on the Canes’ offense — and it has little to do with his stylish mullet. Gauthier for the better part of a year and half has been the voice of the offensive line. Better yet, he backs up his talk with good play. For that we give our appreciation to Miami’s starting center.

Salute to you, Tyler Gauthier!