FZN Senior Tyler Oakes recently signed with Lindenwood University to play football for the Lions. For the last three seasons, Oakes has been a standout multi-purpose back for the Panthers. This past season, Oakes amassed a combined 1141 rushing and receiving yards. Carrying the ball 71 times in 2020, Oakes averaged a remarkable 11.9 yards per carry. He rushed for 11 touchdowns. Oakes also caught 18 passes for 294 yards and 4 touchdowns. The team’s primary kick returner, Oakes returned 14 kicks for 205 yards. In a season filled with highlight reel moments, Oakes proved to be a scoring threat each time he touched the ball, routinely recording touchdowns of over 40 yards or longer. His efforts did not go unnoticed as he was selected as a fist team “All-Conference” performer in each of the last two seasons. This past season, Oakes was named to the Missouri Class 5 “All-State” squad as a 3rd team member. A two-year starter for the program, Oakes helped the Panthers go an impressive 23 – 3 the last two seasons. The Panthers advanced to the state semi-finals in each of the past two seasons, winning conference and district titles along the way. The Panther speedster’s talents are not limited to the gridiron. Oakes is a member of the Panther track team. In 2019, Oakes was a conference champion in track as a member of the team’s sprint relays. Oakes was also a sectional qualifier in the relays and 200 meters.
Lindenwood is a NCAA Division 2 school that competes in athletics as a member Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC). Lindenwood did not play a fall schedule in 2020, but the Lions will play this spring in the modified season. In 2019, the Lions captured the conference title while advancing to the NCAA D2 playoffs second round. At Lindenwood, Oakes will join fellow FZN graduate Cade Brister (2017), who has quarterbacked the Lions in each of the past three seasons. Oakes plans on majoring in Exercise Science with hopes of becoming a physical therapist.