'18 TN QB/WR Alontae Taylor (UT commit 6/18/16)

#1,351
#1,351
Always have a hard time following this thread
Are we questioning his talent or fretting over losing him this week?

NM, no spoilers :)
 
#1,353
#1,353
It's been a very successful and productive summer for Coffee County standout Alontae Taylor. After a good run at the Rivals Five-Star challenge and a trip to Knoxville for Orange Carpet Day, Taylor made his way to Oregon for the Opening. That's where he got to work with established NFL wide receivers like Odell Beckham Jr.

"OBJ helped me with my releases and then Calvin Ridley helped me get in and out of my breaks," Taylor said. "I've been putting a lot of work into those two things since I got back. They said my drop fades as far as running my routes is good. I'm slower getting in and out of my breaks. The tip they gave me has really helped. I'm hard on myself and I normally get better when I'm hard and go to work."

Before his trip to the west coast, Taylor spent the 17th of June in Knoxville with his fellow Vol commits as they continue to build a bond. "It was great and really fun," Taylor said. "When we went to the golf course it brought back a lot of memories because that's where I committed. The home run derby was new and winning that was fun. I hit five for five in the semi-final round. Then in the finals against Anthony Grant, I hit four out of five and our team won."

"It's going great," Taylor said. "He's goofy. I know that if I got to Tennessee and were to get hurt in the spring and couldn't play football my freshman year, I know I will learn more about life and football without even playing. There is no other coach that I have that relationship with. Coach Z and I had that relationship about family. KB and I have that relationship where we talk about life and preparation and less about playing time and football. I think that is one of the biggest reasons I love Tennessee. Since he came in my love for Tennessee has grown even more."

Throw in veteran recruiter Walt Wells, who is in charge of Taylor's recruitment, and the staff has him covered pretty well. "I told him when he took over my recruitment to keep it real with me and not just tell me what they tell other recruits," Taylor said. "He's done that and he sends me motivational stuff every day. He's a Tennessee guy and if anyone asked who my favorite coach is besides my position coach, it would be him."

Coffee County will begin practice next week. They will go into shells on the 19th and full pads on the 24th. It's his final go-around and he can't wait. "Everyone says you will remember your last first play and your last first practice from your senior year," Taylor said. "I'm ready to get it started because I miss football so much. I'm so ready to get to play receiver in a high school football game because I haven't." And the more he plays his future position, the more he falls in love with it. "I camped the day before Orange Carpet Day and I got to work with coach Beard. Quinten (Dormady) and Jarrett Guarantano both texted me after camp and said I did really well when they were watching and that it's over when I get to campus and that all the db's are going to get burnt. That made me feel good because I was worried about playing receiver since I'm new to it."
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-VQ
 
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#1,363
#1,363
Probably_in_Class said:
More Walt Wells love. That guy is absolutely crushing recruiting.
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i was amused with the veteran recruiter plug. this is his first stop at a P5 school. and his coaching career only goes back to the mid 90s.

for reference that would have been like calling Jones a veteran when he joined UT.
 
#1,364
#1,364
LouderVol said:
i was amused with the veteran recruiter plug. this is his first stop at a P5 school. and his coaching career only goes back to the mid 90s.

for reference that would have been like calling Jones a veteran when he joined UT.
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He's been coaching over 20 years. Prolly recruited before. :dunno:
 
#1,365
#1,365
butchna said:
He's been coaching over 20 years. Prolly recruited before. :dunno:
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Probably. but then you could say this about just any coach who makes it to this level. there are exceptions but for the most part a coach is going to be a veteran by the time they reach the SEC.

and just because you didn't answer it, does that mean that Jones was a veteran too? Jones would have had more experience. not sure on their ages but Jones was probably older too.
 
#1,366
#1,366
LouderVol said:
Probably. but then you could say this about just any coach who makes it to this level. there are exceptions but for the most part a coach is going to be a veteran by the time they reach the SEC.

and just because you didn't answer it, does that mean that Jones was a veteran too? Jones would have had more experience. not sure on their ages but Jones was probably older too.
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Yes. Only difference being that Jones also recruited at WVa as an assistant. Kids get letters from schools as soon as they show a pulse. As they earn stars on their ratings, the letters in the drawer from Rutgers,Western Kentucky and South Florida get pushed back further and further in favor of big time programs. Give me a guy that has spent a decade or so landing the best available athletes for a smaller program, and I'll call him a "veteran". It's MORE difficult at the lower levels if anything. Jim Tressell flourished at Youngstown State for 14 seasons and Ohio State's classes only got better when he took over. You can recruit or you cain't...about the extent of the science. :hi:
 
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#1,370
#1,370
VolSummitt44 said:
Darn it to heck! Thought we had him.... everybody panic!
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#1,374
#1,374
636286483017922913-alontae-taylor.jpg


Taylor acknowledged he could have chosen to play quarterback in college. Georgia Tech, Louisville and Southern Miss all were recruiting him as a quarterback, he said. But a current Vol helped make his decision to change positions.

Taylor spoke with Jauan Jennings, who played quarterback at Blackman before transitioning to receiver at Tennessee. Jennings was outspoken about wanting to playing quarterback while in high school. "He's the one that's really helped me make my decision," said Taylor, who will graduate high school in December and be an early enrollee at Tennessee. "Yes, I have to make decisions for myself, but think about it. I want to go to the NFL. Do I see myself as an NFL quarterback? No. But I could see myself playing four years at quarterback then going to the league as something else. But I want to be prepared for the NFL. Jauan was just telling me if you really want to go somewhere and play quarterback, then do it. but look at his success as a receiver. It can happen."
http://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/high-school/2017/07/10/tennessean-dandy-dozen-alontae-taylor/402007001/
 
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#1,375
#1,375
kamoshika said:
636286483017922913-alontae-taylor.jpg


Taylor acknowledged he could have chosen to play quarterback in college. Georgia Tech, Louisville and Southern Miss all were recruiting him as a quarterback, he said. But a current Vol helped make his decision to change positions.

Taylor spoke with Jauan Jennings, who played quarterback at Blackman before transitioning to receiver at Tennessee. Jennings was outspoken about wanting to playing quarterback while in high school. "He's the one that's really helped me make my decision," said Taylor, who will graduate high school in December and be an early enrollee at Tennessee. "Yes, I have to make decisions for myself, but think about it. I want to go to the NFL. Do I see myself as an NFL quarterback? No. But I could see myself playing four years at quarterback then going to the league as something else. But I want to be prepared for the NFL. Jauan was just telling me if you really want to go somewhere and play quarterback, then do it. but look at his success as a receiver. It can happen."
http://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/high-school/2017/07/10/tennessean-dandy-dozen-alontae-taylor/402007001/
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Smart kids.
 
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