'08 WI LB Michael Taylor (Wisconsin Signee)

[wadc45]

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Ashwaubenon (WI) Ashwaubenon

Ht: 6-foot-2
Wt: 195 lbs

Originally Posted by ScoutBio

One of the top players in Wisconsin. Has great physical tools as he combines size and speed. Very explosive player who also is a top wrestler.

Originally Posted by RivalsBio

As a junior, Taylor was a first-team all-state selection and the player of the year in the Green Bay area.

Thought to be the best player in Wisconsin according to a plethora of state insiders.

Offers: Iowa, Minnesota

Rankings:
Rated the #28 weakside LB in the country by Scout.
Rated the #57 ILB on ESPN.
Rated the #4 player in Wisconsin by WSN Football.
Rated the #6 player in Wisconsin by Rivals.

[Bernini]

I was able to see Ashwaubenon play Sheboygan South for a couple drives this weekend, so I can give an educated evaluation of Taylor.

I came away equally as impressed, or even moreso, in Taylor's abilities; after seeing him in live action as opposed to cherry picked highlights. First off, what stands out with Taylor is that he's a very lanky player. He could stand to gain 20-25 pounds, but has the frame to do so. In spite of his size, he exhibited physicality whenever possible. In one particular play, he corralled Sheboygan South running back Ray Smith (fringe D1 prospect in his own right), who weighs about 200 pounds; and he not only immediately halted his progress, but flung Smith backwards while stripping the ball. Unfortunately for Taylor and Ashwaubenon, it was deemed that the play was dead, but the feat was still impressive. It showed Taylor's nasty streak and that he's not satisfied with simply recording tackles. Another play that stood out was another stoppage of Smith. It seemed like Sheboygan South was in an obvious passing situation, so Taylor dropped into coverage gradually, but before the surprise draw hand off was even made, Taylor began darting back toward the line of scrimmage. Smith saw Taylor and tried to cut it outside to avoid the middle linebacker, but Taylor was able to recover and lunge to record an ankle tackle. In total, Taylor recorded about 4 tackles in 2 brief drives, which maximized all his opportunities because the other plays were deep passes (incomplete) for which he wasn't responsible. Although one of those tackles included lighting up a referee, otherwise he would have made a tackle of the actual ballcarrier (the ref was able to walk off after a few seconds thankfully....he got hammered ). When asked to drop back in coverage he looked very fluid. He's a plus athlete certainly for the linebacker position, but would probably be borderline for a safety (think of Stellmacher in that aspect). One attribute I wasn't able to ascertain from this viewing was his ability to shed blockers. He was really never challenged because his defensive line was pretty dominant. He was basically freed up to make all the plays he executed. I would need to see a game against a tougher matchup to gauge that ability. But if his tackling is an indicator, he'd be more than adequate.

Excellent burst, tackling, and instincts. He has a good future at Wisconsin and will probably be an asset in a starting role for 2-3 years with the Badgers, IMO.

[Heavystarch]

Nice evaluation. Good to hear that our commits are doing well

[wadc45]

Rivals $

12/6

Catching up with Michael Taylor...talks about how he grew up a wrestler before getting into football. Talks about being offered first by smaller schools and then progressing up to Big 10 schools and will visit Madison this weekend.

Green Bay Press-Gazette - All-area football team: Tough-as-nails Taylor has 'got everything'

Ashwaubenon's Mike Taylor, a rock in the middle of the Jaguars' outstanding defense, is the Press-Gazette's all-area football player of the year. Taylor has signed to play at the University of Wisconsin. Corey Wilson/Press-Gazette

Posted December 6, 2007

By Scott Venci
svenci@greenbaypressgazette.com

He will go down as one of the best players in Ashwaubenon football history. Certainly, he's one of the top linebackers to play for the Jaguars, if not the best.

But Mike Taylor was more than that for the Jaguars these past three years.

He never once — at least in Ashwaubenon coach Ken Golomski's eyes — took a play off during his career. He was dependable as a player and leader, and one of the easiest to coach.

Best of all, the middle linebacker was tough as nails.

Continued...

Taylor was a unanimous selection to the all-conference team as a linebacker and a first-team selection as a kicker.

For his accomplishments, Taylor is the Press-Gazette's football player of the year for the second straight season.

[Heavystarch]

Scout (Free)

12/17/09

Taylor's 2007 season highlights.