Indiana University Athletics
Senior Reflection - Chris Taylor
12/13/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 13, 2005
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - When tailback Chris Taylor began his Indiana football career in 2002, his senior teammates encouraged the freshmen to maximize their opportunity to play college football.
"It goes by quicker than you think," the veterans told their first-year teammates.
Less than four years later, that statement has proven to be quite prophetic. In addition to closing his senior year with a team-leading 740 yards rushing, highlighted by 176 yards rushing versus Kentucky, 132 versus Illinois and 97 in the season finale against Purdue, Taylor, one of four 2005 team captains, completed coursework in three-and-a-half years for a bachelor's degree in sports communications.
After graduation on Dec. 17, Taylor heads to Jackson, Miss., for the inaugural Magnolia Gridiron Classic all-star game. His performance in that game will help determine his status for other senior all-star games this winter, and then he will return to his hometown of Memphis to work out and prepare for professional football opportunities.
As he wraps up his undergraduate career this week, Taylor took time to reflect on his tenure in Bloomington.
"I did not come here planning to finish in four years, but as I started my coursework, I realized that it was possible," Taylor said. "I just put my mind to it, and it panned out."
According to IU running backs coach Gerald Brown, Taylor epitomizes perseverance.
"Chris came to practice every day," Brown said. "In fact, this past season, he was nicked up, but he reminded me that he had never missed a day of practice. We wanted to redshirt him when he was a freshman, but we had some injuries at tailback, and he came in and did a nice job. He showed right away that he was a team guy."
As he worked towards his degree, Taylor also earned an increased role in the IU offense. After gaining 229 yards as a freshman, the 5-11, 220-pounder gained 464 yards with three touchdowns in 2003. His sophomore year was highlighted by a 90-yard effort on 20 carries against Indiana State and 13 carries for 73 yards at Connecticut.
Taylor opened his junior campaign with 11 carries for 53 yards in a 41-10 victory over Central Michigan. The following week, IU snapped then-No. 23 Oregon's 22-game non-league home winning streak with a 30-24 triumph over the Ducks.
"That may be the highlight of my career," Taylor said. "To go into one of the toughest places in the country, we were a heavy underdog, and to come out with the win, was awesome."
While he was productive on the field, Taylor was known to keep the mood light off the field. His fun-loving personality was a hit with teammates and coaches.
"Chris is just a super guy," Brown said. "I really enjoyed coaching Chris. To graduate in three-and-a half years speaks to his character, but he also likes to make people laugh, play jokes on people. The fact that he can have fun but also graduate in three-and-a-half years shows that he can take care of business."
Regardless of his next endeavor, the future is bright for Chris Taylor.
