Life-long 49ers fan, Tyler hoping for a ring of his own

INDIANAPOLIS -- His father's prized piece of jewelry was not only an object to help him fulfill obligations in school, it served as a goal for later in life.USC running back Marc Tyler, whose own football career got derailed in his final high school game, is hoping to accomplish anywhere near the kind of success his father, Wendell, achieved with the Los Angeles Rams and 49ers.After six seasons with the Rams, Wendell Tyler finished his NFL career with four seasons as running back with the 49ers (1983-86). With Tyler and Roger Craig sharing the load in 1984, the 49ers finished 15-1 and cruised to a Super Bowl title with a 38-16 victory over the Miami Dolphins.In the Super Bowl, Tyler gained 65 yards on 13 carries and also caught four passes for 70 yards. The ring, humble by today's standards, is a family heirloom."I took it to school when I was younger," Marc Tyler said, "took it to show-and-tell. It's nice, but not as nice as the ones they have now."Tyler would like to get a ring of his own. But, first, he just wants to get a ring -- a phone call -- from any NFL team during the draft.
Tyler was a heavily recruited running back from Oaks Christian in Westlake Village. But he sustained a grisly tibia-fibula fracture of his left leg in his final game of the 2006 season.He sat out 2007, and carried the ball just 41 times in 2008 and 2009. He had a breakout season in 2010 with 913 yards and nine touchdowns at USC. As a fifth-year senior, Tyler gained 568 yards and four touchdowns.Tyler fashions a different running style than his father. This Tyler is a power back. But NFL teams want to see a little more speed, too.Tyler (5-foot-11, 219 pounds) did not alleviate any concerns about his speed and health at the NFL scouting combine. Tyler on Sunday clocked in at 4.76 seconds in the 40-yard dash.In 2005, Frank Gore ran a 4.65 at the combine after an injury-plagued college career. The 49ers selected Gore with the first pick of the third round, drawing criticism from some experts for "reaching."
"I like Frank Gore. He runs downhill and he runs physical," Tyler said.Tyler said he spoke with Gore on the phone after one game last season. His former USC teammate Amir Carlisle, who is transferring to Notre Dame, knew Gore because his father Duane Carlisle, formerly worked as 49ers strength and conditioning coach.Of course, Tyler said he would love to get a chance to get to know Gore a lot better. And the 49ers figure to be in the market for a running back at some point in the draft.
"That would be great," he said. "Most teams are going to two backs, three backs. But just to get on any team would be great."Tyler has been a 49ers fan his entire life, he said. And he reveled in the organization's on-field turnaround under first-year coach Jim Harbaugh, who coached against Tyler while at rival Stanford."Coach Harbaugh, his coaching style, you can tell he's a players' coach and the players really play hard for him," Tyler said. "All his teams are tough and run the ball well."