The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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42 THE WOLVERINE ❱ AUGUST 2024 ❱ COMMIT PROFILE BY EJ HOLLAND T hree-star Stockbridge (Ga.) High linebacker Chase Taylor gave the Wolverines a verbal pledge shortly after his official visit in mid-June. Taylor committed to Michigan over fellow finalists Georgia Tech and USC. When asked why he sided with the Wolverines, Taylor gave a short but sweet answer. "It's a brotherhood," he said. "I can't wait to go to work. Go Blue." Taylor obviously enjoyed his time on campus during his official visit and felt comfortable with the program both on and off the field. Taylor actually gave U-M a silent commitment while on the visit and made his decision public soon after. "I had a great time," he said. "It was a really chill vibe. I learned more about some of the coaches. It's definitely somewhere I want to be. I like the fun we had, like playing paintball. I met some of the players. I liked the networking." Taylor, who also made an unofficial visit in the spring, said a highlight of the trip was meeting with new head coach Sherrone Moore. "He's really cool," Taylor said. "I love that guy. He talked about some of the things he's doing with the program. He doesn't make promises, but he does keep it real. I think he's going to be great as head coach." Lead recruiter and new Michigan linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary was heavily involved on the visit as well. While Taylor isn't very highly touted from a rankings perspective (No. 59 line- backer nationally and No. 70 prospect in Georgia, per On3), Jean-Mary made him a top overall priority after leaving Ten- nessee for Michigan. In fact, Taylor was one of the first recruits Jean-Mary saw when he hit the road during the spring evaluation period. "We really had a bond when he was over at Tennessee," Taylor said. "That carried over to Michigan. We clicked. We always talk to each other. It was cool seeing him again. He said if I come in and handle my business in the classroom and keep my head in the playbook, I'll be able to play right away." At 6-foot-2½, 201 pounds, Taylor is a long, athletic prospect with a ton of upside. He has the potential to play the Will linebacker spot at Michigan, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him rush the passer in an edge role as well. New Michigan defensive coordinator Wink Martindale didn't pigeonhole him to one spot. Instead, Martindale praised his versatility and talked about his po- tential at various positions. "Coach Wink told me it's not where he sees me, it's where I see myself," Tay- lor said. "That's what he told me yes- terday. Coach BJ said he can see me do- ing the Will job. They would definitely move me around. I can play outside or even go to Mike. It's wherever I can help the most." When it came to presentations, Tay- lor said he was impressed with the strength and conditioning and nutri- tion programs. Both will play a key role for Taylor. While he has plenty of athletic ability, the U-M staff has already talked to him about filling out his frame and adding strength and muscle mass. "I liked the weight room and Abigail [O'Connor]" Taylor said. "I like how they develop players into what they are supposed to look like. They don't care how much you weigh. They want to put more muscle on you. Abigail doesn't tell the players what not to eat but when to eat it. They put the side-by-side pic- tures from freshmen to when they leave, and they look totally different." Taylor also spent plenty of time with his player host, Ernest Hausmann, and other current U-M players. Overall, he felt at home with both the staff and team. "He was really cool," Taylor said about the junior who's likely to step into a starting linebacker role this fall. "I hung around some of the other players, too. They are one big family. Ern told me about certain things they do. He basi- cally gave me a day in the life of a college athlete. It was great. I feel comfortable with everybody at Michigan. It's home for me now." ❑ Versatile Georgia Linebacker Chase Taylor Is Ready To Go To Work For U-M Taylor has the potential to play Will linebacker at Michigan, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him in an edge-rusher role as well. PHOTO COURTESY ON3 PLAYER EVALUATION STRENGTHS: Chase Taylor is a versatile defensive athlete with the ability to play multiple positions at the next level. He is comfortable in space when dropping back into coverage and also runs well sideline- to-sideline, making him an ideal candidate for the Will spot in Michigan's defensive scheme. However, he can certainly play the Mike as well depending on physical development. He also has the length and speed to play off the edge as a true pass rusher. AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT: While Taylor has an exciting ceiling thanks to his athletic upside, he also has a very low floor. Taylor needs to continue to fill out and add strength in the Michigan strength and conditioning program. He is also very raw from a technical standpoint, sometimes taking wrong angles or missing assignments. Taylor could also play with more physicality. MICHIGAN PLAYER COMPARISON: Michigan linebacker Micah Pollard was considered a tweener coming out of high school, with some experts projecting him as an edge. Pollard had the length and athleticism but was also very raw technically — much like Taylor. Pollard has spent more time as a linebacker than an edge but is still finding his footing. Both Pollard and Taylor could be late bloomers. — EJ Holland