Taylor aims to catch college interest
Marcus Taylor has a chip on his shoulder. Seems understandable, given that he was among the three leading receivers in Central Florida this past season. The Oak Ridge senior caught 62 passes, more than any other receiver in the area who did not play for pass-happy Lake Nona, and he led the area with 16 receiving touchdowns.
Yet Taylor, who’ll be one of several under-appreciated standouts playing in tonight’s Central Florida All-Star Game at Lake Howell High (7:30 p.m.), has gotten little attention from college recruiters.
“I actually did have a pretty good season. I was kinda slow from the get-go, but I made it a bet to myself that I was going to be one of the top receivers in Central Florida,” he said. “I already knew I was going to be up there with these guys. I just had to show what I was capable of because I’m not the tallest guy out there, but I definitely have the best assets.”
Taylor is just 5-foot-8, and a muscular 165 pounds. But he does have the tools, as he says, and he is also a high-academic achiever who has garnered some attention from Yale of the Ivy League. His 3.7 GPA and 1080 SAT score put him on another level as far as his recruitability, and that should enhance his chances of being noticed by college coaches.
“I’m doing pretty good in school,” he said. “I got an offer from Yale, but I can’t go to the school until I have 1100 on the SAT.”
He’s taking time out from basketball to play in the all-star game in hopes that it’ll boost his recruitment chances. The way he sees it, if he can just shine for some coaches, he’ll get plenty of opportunities.