Taylor changed up style of leadership during injury
MIDWEST CITY — Dadrion Taylor is a flashy running back who makes big plays followed by boisterous celebrations where it would appear he’s talking a lot. But he’s not.
“I see myself as a leader, but not much as a verbal leader,” Taylor said. “I had to learn how to become a verbal leader from the sidelines.”
For four weeks, Taylor’s celebrations were put on hold during the regular season. He was stuck on Carl Albert’s sideline with a knee injury. He had been injured before, but nothing that cost him significant time.
But in a year where Taylor firmly planted his name in the conversation for the state’s top running back spot, Taylor changed his leadership style for the better. And when healthy, the Titans clicked to roll to a third straight Class 5A state championship. Taylor, known as “Rabbit” around the program, is The Oklahoman’s Big All-City Offensive Player of the Year.
“He did those things you have to do if you are out,” second-year Carl Albert coach Mike Corley said. “He did a good job stepping in there.”
Taylor, who is committed to Utah State, played in just 10 games but put up huge numbers. He rushed for 1,365 yards and 24 TDs. He even passed for a TD in Week 10’s win over Bishop McGuinness for the District 5A-2 title. In the playoffs, he was arguably the state’s best player, scoring all but four of the Titans' TDs. In the title game, he scored on a 75-yard run in the first quarter, showing he was healthy.
But his work during that five-week stretch on the sideline was perhaps more crucial. Taylor kept himself in shape in the weight room and then mentally by becoming more vocal with his teammates. Carl Albert continued to roll to 14 wins, including a wild overtime win the week following his injury at rival Del City. Even with new starters nearly all over the field, they found their way with Taylor on the sideline. Then they became even better when he returned.
“Unfortunately, not every team wins on Friday,” Taylor said. “Just being able to lead my team on Friday and my team had my back and I had theirs, I feel like I did a pretty good job.
“I think me being out for a month, seeing my team doing what they were doing, I felt like when I came back we were all on the same page.”