Mobile, wing. – He has the uncommon pedigree of getting each a father and an uncle within the Pro Football Hall of Fame, however the Mason Taylor of LSU Streight End – son of Edge Rusher Jason Taylor, grandson of the Linebacker Zomas linebacker – will make its hatching the NFL on the facet offensive of the ball.
“He grew up across the defensive boys, so he has that hardness and willpower for him,” mentioned Jason whereas wanting on the rehearsals on Thursday at Senior Bowl whereas his son is getting ready for the draft of the NFL. “He is an extremely competitor; he’s as laborious as his nails. He reveals no ache. He will put his face within the block. It is exactly that kind of boyfriend.”
After three years on the LSU, Taylor is likely one of the youngest prospects within the draft, nonetheless solely 20 years outdated, however is bodily imposing in the identical means as his father. Dad performed 6 feet-6, 244 kilos and Taylor is already listed at 6-5, 255, presenting an excellent purpose for the quarterback. It has additionally grown immersed on the earth of NFL, due to this fact it consists of the wants of being an expert athlete and the dedication required to play on the stage of the elite.
“My uncle and my father have all the time informed me that there are not any shortcuts on this sport,” mentioned Mason. “It is difficult work. They weren’t the 2 heaviest boys who got here out of highschool and school, however their work ethics, lowered their heads and tried to be as constant as doable each shot.”
Taylor might additionally obtain a push from the current success of the LSU offensive stars. He was teammates in 2022-23 with the quarterback Jayden Daniels and receivers Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr., three of the perfect NFL newcomers this season. One factor that Taylor shares with them is self -confidence, which derives from bodily and psychological readiness.
“The a part of the mentality, all the things begins along with your belief: belief in your method, put you in the fitting place,” he mentioned.
Mason mentioned he began in youth soccer on the defensive half and performed nicely there, however earlier than his first yr of highschool in Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas, it was his father who advised having a set of abilities that might have been translated In assault.
“He needed to burn his path, to do it in his personal means,” mentioned his father.
The NFL has witnessed a rise within the impression from rookie from tight restricted lately. In The Past Four Seasons, There Have Been Five Rookie Tight Ends With At Least 50 Catches: Brock Bowers in 2024, Sam Laporta and Dalton Kincaid in 2023, and Pat Freiermuth and Kyle Pitts in 2021. That’s After Just One Such Season in The Previous Seven years, so tight is now seen as a place by which the fitting perspective can intervene and assist instantly.
Taylor’s father and uncle additionally informed him to not sweat when he’s enrolled. Jason was chosen within the third spherical in 1997 and Thomas was enrolled within the fifth spherical in 1996 and continued to play 15 and 13 years outdated, respectively, whereas they went to Canton. With a powerful efficiency in Saturday’s Senior Bowl and NFL coaching subsequent month, Taylor can assist his shot. His prospect of Next Gen Statists tasks him as a “extra” appetizer ultimately.
Jason mentioned he discovered through the years to benefit from the soccer journey of his son as a father and nothing extra.
“I discover myself again and look, help and smile. He’s way more anxious (than taking part in),” he mentioned. “It is much less painful however very anxious. I stay outdoors, nonetheless. I had this idea for the dad and mom of once I was coaching the youth ball: shut up and beat. I attempt to do it on this means.”
Greg Avanan is an NFL journalist for Fox Sports. Previously he spent a decade to cowl the Bucanieri for the Tampa Bay Times and athletic. You can observe him on Twitter a @Gregauman.
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