Michael Taylor discusses his Tennessee commitment

Saturday was a busy day for the Tennessee Volunteer football coaching staff. They not only had to conduct practice for the upcoming debut season for Lane Kiffin and his new staff but they also played host to two important recruits in linebacker Michael Taylor (Atlanta, GA/Westlake HS) and athlete DeMarco Cobbs (Tulsa,OK/Tulsa Central High). With two important players on hand the staff was able to secure at least one commitment in Taylor as he gave word to VolNation.com that he has indeed committed to Tennessee while at a restaurant on Saturday night.

“I am a Vol,” stated Taylor via text message Saturday evening. With the commit out in the public Taylor asked Volnation to give him a call on Sunday when he got back home to discuss his commitment more in-depth as he was busy out celebrating with his family.

“Yes I committed to Tennessee yesterday,” said Taylor. “ I got into Tennessee around 1:30 pm and we went right to the academic building they have there because that was one of the important parts of the trip for me. I got to sit down and see what they have to offer me as an athlete and how I can do my studies. From there we went to the team meeting before the practice started.”

While at the team meeting Taylor informed VolNation.com he was so inspired by the pre-practice speech from the coaching staff he wanted to throw on some pads for himself and go out and practice and do some hitting.

“That meeting was an interesting meeting (laughs),” said Taylor. “It really got me fired up and wanting to play football and just hit someone out on the field. The coaches really know how to get the group going and get everyone pumped up. It was like the staff let a wild animal out of a cage after being trapped for a very long time. Everyone was just going nuts. It really motivated me and made me want to be a Volunteer.”

Taylor then went out onto the practice field to take in the practice and interact with the coaching staff first hand in their best environment, coaching football.

“I talked with all the defensive coaches on staff while I was out there,” said Taylor. “I talked with Coach Thompson a lot more and we built on our already strong relationship and made it even better while I was there. After practice I went into a meeting with Coach Thompson and Coach Orgeron and we talked about me going there possibly and how they felt they needed me. That’s when I told them I was ready to join the family and I committed on the spot.”

While committing in general is big news within itself committing in person is even bigger and Taylor described the scene to VolNation.com

“Oh the coaches were pumped and really excited,” said Taylor. “Coach O told me how happy it made him and that he thinks I could be really special up there. Coach Thompson was really excited as well because we’ve grown so close over the few months.”

While Tennessee was thought to be out of the running just a few weeks ago Taylor spoke about how that thought process was off and how Tennessee had always been in the running.

“Tennessee was one the first school to give me an offer so they’ve always been there in my heart,” said Taylor. “Things just never got really hot between the two of us before a few weeks ago. Before that there was other teams who looked to be higher, but they filled up and Tennessee stayed strong on their offer. Some schools said they were full and then they weren’t or some schools would talk to me a lot and then stop and then start again. Tennessee was just a constant school in my process.”

With his commitment out the way Taylor now has goals for this season and beyond once he gets to Tennessee.

“I want to win state for my senior year and then work towards getting better overall,” said Taylor. “My younger brother told me that I need to work hard on my game so that when I get there and when Eric Berry leaves the crowd will chant my name after Berry is gone. I think if I put in a lot of work I could be that next great defensive stud for Tennessee.”

VolNation would like to thank Michael Taylor for the time and the insight on his recruiting process that led to his commitment. VolNation would also like to say congratulations to the entire Taylor family on such a important decision and welcome to the Volunteer family!

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