Opting out of the Music City Bowl paid off for UT’S Taylor

Opting out of the Music City Bowl to prepare for the NFL Draft appears to have been the right professional decision for Tennessee cornerback Alontae Taylor.

His exceptional 40-yard dash time at the NFL Scouting Combine suggested that. And his more muscular physique, which he displayed at UT'S Pro Day on Wednesday, supported the same premise.

In December, Taylor started rehabbing a toe injury and training at the Exos facility in Phoenix while the Vols were practicing for the Music City Bowl. Four months later, he thinks he made the right decision.

“My body was feeling better (after starting rehab early). I was able to run faster,” said Taylor, a former Coffee County standout. “I'm glad that I did it.”

Josh Heupel says it was 'absolutely the right decision'

Whether Taylor owed it to the Vols to try to play in the Music City Bowl is another discussion.

Some fans believe college players should finish the season, including a bowl game, before preparing for the draft.

Others think that argument only holds up if a national title is on the line.

Injuries can cloud the space between those arguments, especially if they potentially could weaken the player's draft stock. Then playing one more game becomes risky.

“Alontae had a real injury,” coach Josh Heupel said.

“(He) played the last month of the season with that injury. For him, it was absolutely the right decision (to opt out of the Music City Bowl).

“We're going to help our kids go through the process the right way.”

Taylor started all 12 regular-season games, including the last few while struggling through a toe injury that required a walking boot.

On Dec. 1, Taylor announced that he would not play in the Music City Bowl to “get healthy” for the Senior Bowl and NFL Draft preparations. He called it the “toughest decision I have ever made.”

Four weeks later, UT lost 48-45 in overtime in the Music City Bowl, as its depleted secondary allowed Purdue to pass for 534 yards.

But it's hard to argue that Taylor should've played, considering the strides he's made while trying to get drafted. He's projected as a mid- tolate-round pick, and his stock was strengthened by his 40 time at the combine.

How Taylor rehabbed injury to perform well in workouts

Taylor said it took time to heal his injured toe and regain his burst for predraft workouts. When he arrived in Phoenix in December, he was held out of 40-yard dash training runs while other prospects started them immediately.

Once he was cleared to sprint, Taylor's speed returned.

And he gained 12 pounds of muscle and reduced his body fat from 7% to 5%.

In February, he had a solid showing in Senior Bowl practices and made an interception in the game.

Finally at full strength in March, Taylor ran the 40 in 4.36 seconds at the combine, fourth-fastest among cornerbacks.

“The 4.36 really blew my mind,” Taylor said.

“I got emotional when I got back to my room, just kind of going through the toe injury and things like that.

“During informal meetings, I told every single (NFL) scout I was going to run a 4.38. A lot of them had me sign it … and I'm a man of my word.”

Reach Adam Sparks at adam.sparks@knoxnews.com and on Twitter @Adamsparks.