Taylor Sets Tone for ‘Hungry’ Hoosiers

By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Reese Taylor sees with a senior's eyes.

That could make all the difference.

This do-it-all cornerback has experienced a pair of bowl games, two bowl losses, and a 5-7 near miss. He's seen the Hoosiers evolve from believers to achievers, with room to grow.

And now, with a preseason No. 17 ranking and a brutal schedule that could be the pathway to a Big Ten championship, and perhaps more, he wants it all from a team fully capable of providing it.

"We had a good season last year (6-2, a final No. 12 ranking) and a good season before that (8-5), but both bowl games we didn't end it how we wanted to," he says. "It is a chip on our shoulder that we know we didn't finish.

"We are coming into this season hungrier. We're starving for, not success, but to be the best we can be as a team. (We want to) play 11 Strong, which is our motto. Go out there and do the best we can and work as hard as we can."

Last year's Big Ten-leading 17 interceptions reflect the evolution of a secondary that was once rated among the nation's worst to one of the best.

"This year, the level (of competition) has increased even more," Taylor says. "It is a new standard being set. It is a more positive and intense standard. We cannot settle for less. As a defense, everything is more intense for us to get to the ball and be one piece and gel together."

Veteran cornerback play is a big part of that.

"The experience has really helped a lot," Taylor says. "It allows us to be more efficient on and off the field. It helps the defense out, just us being leaders in the corners room and on the team. It helps the newcomers have a smooth (transition) and come with us to make a new standard. It makes sure that standard is set for the younger guys."
That's exactly what cornerbacks coach Brandon Shelby wants to hear from one of his best leaders.

"I'm really excited for those (veterans)," he says. "Those guys have played a lot of football and they know me very well. They know the expectations. They hold each other accountable.

"To this point, they've done a good job at meeting those expectations. To have a room that understands football, understands where I'm coming from, and understands what we're trying to attack, it allows us to do some things that maybe we couldn't have done in the past.

"This is probably the deepest room I've ever had with the talent. I'm very excited about depth and the things we're doing on the field. We're looking forward to big things with them."

No IU cornerback sets a higher standard than Tiawan Mullen. The junior gets much of the secondary glory, which happens when you are a returning All-American, as he is, when you've totaled 67 tackles, three interceptions, three forced fumbles, and 20 passes defended in your first two seasons, as he has.

The best is coming, Shelby says.

"I think he's getting stronger at the top of routes and being able to throw his body in there and tackle. If you're in the Big Ten, you've got to be able to tackle effective backs and good backs."

Credit strength coach Aaron Wellman and his staff, as well as Mullen, Shelby adds.

"His ability to get bigger -- Coach Wellman and his staff did a great job of getting some mass on him and to also make it so he doesn't slow down and his change of direction hasn't been hampered.

"I'm excited about what he's done this summer. Hopefully those pounds he put on will pay dividends in the fall. We're going to need it. He has a lot on his plate, but I know he can do it."

The 5-11, 185-pound Taylor has his own full plate with his ability to thrive as a cornerback and as a punt returner (IU special teams player of the year, honorable-mention All-Big Ten).

Last season Taylor recorded 29 tackles, returned an interception 53 yards, and led the team with seven pass breakups. He also averaged 8.1 yards a punt return to rank fourth in the Big Ten.

Such versatility is expected from a former Indiana Mr. Football, whose superstar dominance at quarterback for Indianapolis Ben Davis High School delivered a 14-0 state championship as a senior.

At IU, Taylor played a lot of offense as a freshman (running back, receiver, back-up quarterback) before moving permanently to cornerback.

Add senior Jaylin Williams to Taylor and Mullen and you have three elite corners fully capable of thriving in IU's often creative scheme.

"The things they can do in press man and zone, things in the blitzing, that's exciting," Shelby says. "They can blitz, cover, and bring great excitement to the game."

Through it all, with the Sept. 4 season-opener at Iowa looming, Shelby pushes accountability. He expects, not just difference-making play from the cornerbacks, but from the entire defense. When the defense struggled for much of last Saturday's scrimmage, he and all the defensive coaches demanded better, and got it in the following days.

"Ultimately, to get where we want to get to, we have to have a more consistent day-in, day-out approach," he says. "We talked about it about and hopefully these guys understand that time is of the essence.

"It's more than just talk. Put in the work right now when everyone in the country is tired. I think this is when your team is made. I hope those guys understand that, so we don't have a lull this Saturday when we scrimmage again."

Players Mentioned

Tiawan Mullen

Reese Taylor

Jaylin Williams

Related Videos