The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1532537
2025 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ ❱ 50 THE WOLVERINE ❱ MARCH 2025 Chase Taylor's Athleticism Adds Intriguing Upside At Linebacker BY ANTHONY BROOME Three-star signee Chase Taylor played all over the field during his high school career and made strides in his senior year. Although the season ended prematurely due to a controversy over an ineligible player, he showed himself to be a player who could be developed over the long-term at Will linebacker at the next level. Taylor displayed the length and ath- leticism in his prep career to make an impact wherever he co u l d o n d e fe n se and offense. In addi- tion to his 62-tackle campaign as a se- n i o r, h e re co rd e d more than 300 yards r e c e i v i n g a n d 7 touchdowns. "I played on both sides of the ball and helped my team win in any way I could," Taylor told The Wol- verine last fall. "I was the voice for the defense and came in on offense, caught the ball and scored some touchdowns. I think I improved my communication on the field — just knowing where every- body needs to be and communicating that." Despite his rating — No. 696 overall, per the On3 Industry Ranking — Taylor believes that by enrolling in January he is setting himself up for success under position coach Brian Jean-Mary and defensive coordinator Wink Martin- dale. "I see myself coming right in and do- ing well," Taylor said. "They drop back into coverage and have some blitz pack- ages. They see me as a Will for sure. The defense is a great fit for me under Coach Wink Martindale. "I'll be able to come in and learn the playbook," Taylor added. "I feel like if I can do that, I'll have an advantage. That's definitely a good thing." Taylor's decision to land in Ann Arbor was made with more than just football in mind, with his mother, Angela Taylor, stating that he knows the value a Michi- gan degree can provide beyond football. "Michigan prob- ably has one of the best opportunities for anyone, whether they're an athlete or student, in terms of life after football or getting a degree, wh a t yo u r ca re e r goals or life goals are going to be," she said. "That in itself was just amazing to us. Chase is going to come and play football. He may or may not make it to the next step. "But if he doesn't, we are comfortable in knowing he's going to have all the necessary tools to live his life from that degree he has at Michigan, from those opportunities, from the internships, as well as people speaking into him and just taking him along with them. There is no way he's going to fail there. No way." ❑ On3 rates Taylor as the No. 87 prospect in the Peach State and the No. 72 linebacker in the country. PHOTO COURTESY ON3 2025 Projection Taylor has the traits to play at a number of posi ons, but he is also a bit of a project and could have a roadblock to playing me as a freshman. However, enrolling early gives him the chance to get his feet wet and poten ally work himself into a special teams role. U-M is going to give him a crack at some reps at the Will linebacker spot. STATISTICS Year Tackles TFL Sacks FF 2024 62 10 2 0 2023 73 6 6 3 2022 66 0 3 0 HONORS • Class 4A Regions 1-4 first-team all-state at ght end as a senior. • Class 4A Regions 5-8 all-state selec on at linebacker as junior. • Nominated for 2023-24 Army Na onal Guard Posi ve Athlete Award. RECRUITMENT • Commi ed to Michigan on June 24, 2024. • Also held offers from USC, Georgia Tech, Tennessee, Florida State, LSU, Missouri, South Carolina, Mississippi State, Clemson, Kentucky, Duke, NC State and others. • Primarily recruited by linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary. DID YOU KNOW? • Enrolled at U-M in January. • Two-way player who scored 7 touchdowns with more than 300 yards receiving on of- fense as a senior. • Compiled a 27-10 record during his three sea- sons of high school football and also le ered in basketball. • Son of Tarryl and Angela Taylor. • Born on Feb. 14, 2007. THEY SAID IT The Wolverine recrui ng insider EJ Holland: "There is a lot to like about Taylor's upside. It's easy to see why the staff valued his poten al. At 6-foot-2, 213 pounds, Taylor has plenty of length and posi on versa lity. He's similar to former U-M linebacker signee Jaden Smith but doesn't quite have the elite speed or test- ing numbers. S ll, Taylor shows really good sideline-to-sideline speed, athle cism in space and length. I think he's an intriguing fit as a Will and offers the flexibility to be a Jaylen Harrell- type as an edge. For Taylor, it's going to be all about development and coaching." CHASE TAYLOR LINEBACKER 6-2 • 213 STOCKBRIDGE HIGH STOCKBRIDGE, GA. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ — 72 87 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 78 96 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 66 64 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 21 75 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 58 90 INDUSTRY