The Wolverine

November 2015

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/589596

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 145 of 193

  COMMITMENT PROFILE for the opportunity, and I just thank him." Taylor picked the Wolverines over Cincinnati, Illinois, Kentucky, Rut- gers, Vanderbilt and several mid- major offers. He'd also been a repeat visitor to Alabama and Georgia, among other SEC powers. There was a feeling he got at Michigan that the other programs couldn't replicate, however, and that resulted in him becoming a Wolverine. "When I first came to visit for a game, the chills and excitement of the game and the fans, that was what did it for Michigan," he said. "Talking to Coach Harbaugh and how he treated me — he compared me to Frank Gore and said that he would use me that way. I've always watched Frank Gore, and I can definitely see it." Taylor is listed by Rivals.com as the No. 39 junior prospect in Georgia and the No. 19 running back nation- ally. He marks the third commitment in the 2017 class, joining local tight end Carter Dunaway and Canadian defensive back Benjamin St-Juste, who reclassified from the 2016 class. He has the opportunity to develop in Harbaugh's system and could be just the runner the Wolverines need. "He's got a solid build; he really looks the part," Rivals Southeast re- cruiting analyst Woody Wommack said. "He's a tough runner. I'm not sure how fast he is, top-end speed- wise. In Harbaugh's system, he can FILM EVALUATION Strengths: Kurt Taylor is a bowling ball of a runner with the toughness to go over and through defenders at the point of attack. He does not hesitate to put his head down when his team needs a tough yard, and he has the balance to maintain forward momentum and keep gaining yards after the hit. His hard offseason training shows in his physique and also speaks to his work ethic, something that will surely please Jim Harbaugh during Taylor's time in Ann Arbor. Areas Of Improvement: Taylor's physique could be maxed out at this time, which means there will be an adjustment period for him when he gets to college, where he'll no longer be the biggest or strongest player on the field. Learning to use his hands to fend off tacklers rather than just lowering a shoul‑ der will be important. Taylor doesn't have outstanding long speed or lateral agility behind the line of scrimmage, though he's improved both of those areas during his junior year. He'll have to continue making strides to succeed in college. Michigan Player Comparison: Kevin Grady (2005‑09) came to U‑M with mountains of hype, and although he didn't live up to it, his skill set in high school was similar to Taylor's. If Taylor can maintain his current work ethic, he should have the career that most expected out of Grady. — Analysis from TheWolverine.com

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of The Wolverine - November 2015