HOUSE OF TAGGART
Willie Jr. is competing to be starting QB for father’s Owls
The winner of FAU’s starting quarterback competition could be a player who’s grown up in the coach’s house.
Willie Taggart Jr., son of FAU coach Willie Taggart, is competing against redshirt juniors Nick Tronti and Justin Agner, and redshirt freshman Javion Posey for the Owls starting job.
Taggart Jr. was FAU’s first signee to its 2020 recruiting class, entering the season as a true freshman.
“It is kind of surreal to finally experience what [college football] is like,” Taggart Jr. said. “Growing up as a kid and being around it all the time and [now] finally going through it and everything. My teammates treat me just like any other teammate. All the other coaches treat me like any other player, so it is just all I could really be thankful for.”
Taggart Jr. joining Fllorida Atlantic marks the first time that his dad has coached a team he’s played for, which is something Taggart expressed excitement about after his son signed with FAU.
Both father and son said that Taggart treats Taggart Jr. just like any other player on the field.
“It’s been a little different,” Taggart said. “I coach him like I coach everyone else out there. If he makes a jug-headed play, I get on him about it and call him a jughead. If he does something well, I tell him ‘great job’. I let [co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Clint] Trickett coach him and I chime in on all of those guys when I need to or on certain things.
“He’s been around me coaching for the longest so he understands how I am as a coach and what I expect. He knows there won’t be any special treatment when it comes to him. He’s gotta do his part in being the quarterback and competing for the job,
and he’s going to get treated like everyone else. He understood that when he signed here and we have that understanding.”
Though both of them emphasized that this added dimension to their relationship has been seamless, there has been a difference that’s caught Taggart’s attention while they shared the field together.
“What’s weird sometimes is when he calls me coach,” Taggart quipped. “For 18 years I’ve been getting ‘dad,’ and now it’s ‘coach.’ It’s like ‘what are you doing, buddy?’ Other than that, it’s no different.”
Taggart Jr. completed 59.2 percent of his passes for 2,165 yards, 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions during his senior season at Florida State University High. Even though he hasn’t played under his dad before, he’s gained a familiarity with the style of offense he likes while living under the same roof.
“I know he loves that fast pace,” Taggart Jr. said. “[At] my high school, we got to it my senior year. We got into that faster pace and quick one-word calls, so scheme-wise and running plays are very similar. It’s just [different] terminology at this point.”
When asked if he’s learned anything about Taggart now that he’s his coach, Taggart Jr. responded, “he’s been the same ever since I came out of the womb.”
“Ever since I saw him on the field,” Taggart Jr. said, “he’s been the same guy with the same amount of energy. And doesn’t treat me any differently.”
Taggart Jr. called competing for the starting job while learning the playbook and becoming acclimated with playing football at the collegiate level challenging, but said his focus on daily improvements.
“Like any other thing in life that’s challenging, you just gotta work hard at it,” Taggart Jr. said. “I have a great group of guys in the [quarterback] room I have to compete with, but in reality, I’m just competing with myself and trying to make myself 100% better every day.”