Name: Eric Taylor Jr
School: Marist
Position: DE/OLB
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 248
Q: What goals did you accomplish heading into your final collegiate season?
As my final season as a Marist Red Fox concluded, I achieved All-League Honors, by receiving All-Pioneer Football League Honorable Mention. I was a three year started over my time there and was named All- Pioneer Football League Honor Roll 2x. I was also selected for a FCS Senior Bowl Game, which I participated in December.
Q: What would your coaches say about the type of player you are?
My coaches seen me as a player that has a high motor and is always finding a way to be around the ball if I was not making the play. A player that was always willing to be a bigger brother for the underclassmen to follow behind in terms of learning the defensive scheme.
Q: When you are studying film, what do you focus on to improve your game?
Typically when I watch film, I have a checklist that I use to help me evaluate my opponent. I’ve played against some very competitive individuals amongst the offensive linemen, so I would often times focus on the footwork and hand placement of my opponent. I never had been truly phased about height or weight of an opponent, technique is something that goes with experience and a lot of players could have the size and build, but horrible technique, so I would usually mold my game around the technique of my opponent. Which, ultimately led me to having my best collegiate season at Marist this past season.
Q: What separates you from the other players at your position?
I am just a player that wants it more than the next man and I am willing to go all out for it. Though many may say I am undersized at the Defensive End position, the thing that separates me is that I don’t let the critics effect me. After being named a three year starter and all league honors at my position with my size, shows I have resiliency and I never let my undersize build affect my field of play. I was looked at by my coaches as the technician of the defensive line, though I was undersized, I would show that I was a true student of the game by making all of my proper steps, reading my keys and trusting the defensive scheme that our defensive coordinator would display.
Q: How will you train and prepare this offseason for the draft or other pro opportunities?
A week after our last game, I took a week to recover and enjoy time with family because I knew I would be very busy getting in the best shape possible. I am approximately 8 weeks into training, I am currently training with two facilities and eating right thanks to SnapKitchen, nutritious meal preps made in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I make healthy eating a very serious focal point of my training because you can’t put 87 in a Porsche 911. If you fuel the body right, great things come with it.
Q: What kind of strengths and abilities will you bring to a team that will stand out both on and off the field?
I truly feel my experience of playing the game for so long sets me apart from a lot of players. I am a true student of the game, very coachable and pick up defenses very fast. Though some may make my size sort of a red flag, I feel size isn’t a huge factor that people make it. Some of the great playmakers were undersized at their position, Elvis Dumervil, Aaron Donald, Ray Lewis at MLB, Robert Mathis, Dwight Freeney with his elusive spin move. All players that have used their height to an advantage by utilizing speed and a stout strong base, because low-man usually wins at the line of scrimmage.
Q: What is your final pitch or sell to NFL and other pro league scouts?
I am player that will be the first person in the meeting rooms and the last person to leave each and every day, same goes for practice, because that is the drive and love I have for the game of football. I am always open ears and willing to put in extra work because I know it will pay in the end. Being a player that is extremely knowledgeable and hardworking, I will bring a strong and vocal voice as well as attitude to keep the energy of the organization high 24/7 win or lose.
