Scout.com Open Article On Willie Taylor (they Were The First To Announ

OldTimer · May 30, 2007

By Matthew Stepp

DFW Writer

Posted May 29, 2007

After former Dallas Hillcrest and current North Mesquite HC Mike Robinson alerted us to QB Willie Taylor, we knew we had a future Division 1 recruit on our hands that no one knew about.

Well it didn’t take long for some big time programs to take notice and today the 6’0 170 pound QB/WR with blazing 4.4 speed committed to the University of North Texas today.

“I knew about it for a couple of weeks,” said Taylor of his decision “but I made the announcement today. It’s an honor to have the chance to play for North Texas, I’m really excited.” The Hillcrest QB who likely will move to slot receiver in HC Todd Dodge’s spread offense, will not only be close to home but he’ll have a familiar face on staff in OC Clayton George who coached Taylor at Hillcrest High in 2005.

Besides UNT, Tulsa, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State and West Virginia had shown interest in the versatile athlete out of Dallas who led the Panthers to a 7-5 record and a trip to the Class 4A area playoffs throwing for 1634 yards and 19 touchdowns and chipping in 739 yards rushing and 7 touchdowns.

”North Texas was the first school to really come after me and I appreciated that so I was loyal to them. It’s close to home and my family can come to see me play and I like the changes they are making. It just felt like home,” said Taylor. Willie now that the big decision has been made can now focus on leading his Panthers to an even deeper playoff run in 2007.

UNTLifer · May 30, 2007

If he were dead, DD would be spinning in his grave!

I love the benefit of other ballplayers reading about this signing and thinking about NT earlier in the process. Our past history of not recruiting the Metroplex and waiting to see who fell through the cracks made it look like we didn't take ourselves seriously.

Mad Hatter · May 30, 2007

Now we've got 2 LOCAL kids committing early in the process. This can only help spread the word about UNT as an option.

NTPhiKap99 · May 30, 2007

Now we've got 2 LOCAL kids committing early in the process. This can only help spread the word about UNT as an option.

People have to take notice of us now we are actually competing for talent and not just taking the leftovers.

H-towngreen · May 30, 2007

This kid had an offer from A&M and chose NT. Speaks wonders to what TD is doing already.

MeanGreenBuzz · May 30, 2007

This kid had an offer from A&M and chose NT. Speaks wonders to what TD is doing already.

Its amazing what being a household name in Texas will do for recruiting will do for you. I wouldn't be suprised to see a lot of names of players that have played against TD come up on the recruiting lists over the next couple of years. I am sure they wish they could have played for TD in HS and won multiple state championships and most of them won't pass up the chance in college. People want to play for a winner and TD is a winner. We can see that and recruits can see that thus kids like this taking an offer from TD over aTm. Also it doesn't hurt when you can tell them they can come in and compete to start from day one and it not just be a line to get them to sign.

Side note on Taylor, is he 5-10 or 6-0 anyone know for sure?

Edited May 30, 2007 by MeanGreenBuzz