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# DeNeill utilizing all his skills to help lift Merrimack football
- URL: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/deneill-utilizing-skills-help-lift-merrimack-football/
- Published: 2016-08-23T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2016-08-23T12:00:00.000Z
- Description: The ball goes up in the air, and no matter what kind of ball it is, Tyler DeNeill is ready. If it's a baseball or a football, the thought process is pretty much the same for the Merrimack High School senior. He's going to get it. As a free safety for the football team and the starting center fielder
- Author: Joe Marchilena
- Tags: Fall Sports, Division I, football, Merrimack, slider, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-18 04:44

The ball goes up in the air, and no matter what kind of ball it is, Tyler DeNeill is ready.

If it's a baseball or a football, the thought process is pretty much the same for the Merrimack High School senior.

He's going to get it.

As a free safety for the football team and the starting center fielder for the baseball team, DeNeill uses a lot of his skills from one sport to help him out with the other.

"They coordinate together," he said of baseball and football. "I felt this year in baseball, from the past two seasons in football being a free safety and reading everything, it felt way easier in center field reading the ball.

"It's like it's in slower motion than it really is. I see it better, see it faster. You use baseball turns in football, too. It's exactly the same, except you don't have a glove on your hand."

DeNeill is one of several multi-sport athletes playing football for the Tomahawks this season, something second-year coach Kip Jackson loves having on his roster.

"Merrimack has a lot of old-school kids in that they play multiple sports," Jackson said. "I can't stress enough why it's important for kids to play multiple sports."

Jackson looks at DeNeill as a prime example as to why that versatility is important. Not only does the senior play multiple sports, but his ability to do many things has led to him playing several positions on the football field.

"I started (football) around sixth grade, (and) ever since that first year, I was a nose tackle, and I just loved it," DeNeill said. "I was really pudgy and then I got skinnier and faster, so I moved to a skill position. I played quarterback, running back and receiver. I like staying in one position, but I like how I can be used as a utility tool and do whatever I can for the team."

As a sophomore, DeNeill moved around a lot on offense, but has been, and continues to be, a key figure in the Tomahawks defensive backfield. Perhaps because of that, he feels he's grown to be a better defensive player.

"I think I'm better at safety and I like defense better," he said. "I like being back there."

Jackson likes having DeNeill back there as well, and compared his three-year starter to a pair of two-way players he coached as an assistant at Nashua South.

"He's one of the best safeties in the state," Jackson said of DeNeill. "It's similar to - and he's not at that level yet - but it's similar to when we had (Billy) Ferriter and (David) Zocco (at South), where they were very good players on both sides of the ball, and (DeNeill) is in that same vein.

"He's maturing and hopefully he continues to improve. I see that he's gotten a lot better. You could see it during 7-on-7s. He's more comfortable with us, he's more comfortable with what we’re teaching on offense and defense. He can play a little faster."

Speed is a big factor in DeNeill's game, but just as important is his ability to be a physical presence for Merrimack on both sides of the ball.

"I've always been physical," DeNeill said. "I love to hit, not be hit. I love to put someone on their back and then help them up after. That's a great feeling."

If DeNeill continues on the path he's on this season, Jackson believes he has a chance of playing in college at a high level. Only question is, which sport would it be?

"Football is my passion," DeNeill said. "I love baseball, too, but if I had to pick between the two, it'd be football. I want to play football in college, but maybe I can try to do both."