Tyler Palko attended West Allegheny High School in Imperial, Pennsylvania where he was a three-sport athlete, playing football, basketball, and running track. Tyler was a four-year starter on the football team where he played quarterback and safety for his father, Bob Palko. As a senior, Palko completed 125 of 225 pass attempts for 1,887 yards and 18 touchdowns. He rushed for 628 yards and 8 more scores. On defense he totaled 80 tackles and 4 interceptions, leading his team to a state championship. He was named to the all-state team for the third consecutive season and was named second team all-American. He finished his career with 5,553 passing yards and 1,681 rushing yards with a 48-7 career record. He was considered to be one of the top 10 quarterback prospects in the nation and was selected to play in the U.S. Army all-American Bowl at the conclusion of the season. He accepted a scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh where he played sparingly as a true freshman, completing 2 of 3 passes for 13 yards. He had an eight yard touchdown run against Oregon State in the fourth quarter of the Insight bowl. Tyler didn't see any action during the 2003 season and ended up taking a redshirt. He earned a starting job as a sophomore and was named team captain. He finished the season completing 230 of 409 pass attempts for 3,067 yards with 24 touchdowns and just 7 interceptions. He was named second team all-Big East and Pittsburgh's offensive MVP. Palko once again served as team captain his junior season, completing 193 of 341 pass attempts for 2,392 yards and 17 touchdowns against 9 interceptions. He was named second team all-Big East for the second consecutive season and also was named academic all-Big East. Palko rebounded from just an average junior season with an outstanding season as a senior.

Tyler Palko has been the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Panthers for the past three seasons. Palko has all the intangibles you look for in a quarterback. He is an outstanding leader and a hard worker with good character. He is also a coaches son who grew up with football and has a great deal of knowledge and understanding of the game. He is a left handed quarterback with adequate size, arm strength, and good athletic ability. He is a tough player who will stand in the pocket and deliver the football with a defender in his face. His athletic ability allows him to avoid the rush, get out of the pocket, and make a play with his feet when needed. He is accurate with his short to intermediate range passes but his accuracy suffers the further he has to throw the ball downfield. At 6-2 he lacks prototypical height for an NFL quarterback and while his arm strength is good enough, he doesn't have a cannon for an arm. Palko will force the ball into coverage at times and needs to do a better job of taking what the defense gives him. At the very least Palko will make a fine backup quarterback at the next level. He has a good chance to be selected as a developmental quarterback in the mid-rounds of the 2007 NFL draft.