T.J. Taylor Commits to Rutgers

T.J. Taylor, a safety and wide receiver from South Brunswick High School in Monmouth Junction, NJ, became the 5th class of 2013 prospect to commit to the Scarlet Knights, today. Taylor hails from the same high school as Mohamed Sanu and 2012 signee Jevon Tyree and he had 54 tackles, 17 receptions for 525 yards and 7 touch downs for the Vikings last season.

Measurables: 6'3'' 186 4.57 (Height, Weight, 40 time)

Stars:

Rivals	Scout	ESPN	247
2 star athlete	2 stars, #101 Safety	N/A Athlete	N/A Athlete

Offer Sheet: Pitt, Syracuse, Temple, Old Dominion, and UMass were the other FBS teams to offer Taylor a scholarship, and Notre Dame, South Carolina, UCF, Boston College and Cincinnati expressed some interest in him. 

Scouting Report: Taylor has great length and his frame can easily hold more weight. Offensively, he is a deep threat, averaging 31 yards per reception, but his future is probably on the defensive side of the ball. Taylor usually lines up as a single high free safety and he is very physical, delivering big hits to wide receivers who venture across the middle. Unlike a lot of big hitters at the high school level, Taylor is solid wrap up tackler with a nose for the football. He is a rangy, explosive athlete. Since he lines up 15 yards off the ball, he usually doesn't have chance to make plays in coverage, but his ball skills on offense should translate to the other side of the ball. If he is able to add some weight, he could end up as a linebacker.

Video:

My Take: Taylor is a very physical player with good size, and some speed and athleticism. Depending on how he fills out, I could see him end up as a safety, linebacker, or tight end. The coaching staff will probably want to get a look at him on the field at Rutgers before they decide on their ultimate position. This is yet another solid, under the radar pick up, and that seems to be the theme in Rutgers' recruiting class so far this year.