Rapp: ‘It Feels Like A Dream’
December 02, 2016 | Football, General
By Mason Kelley
GoHuskies.com
When Taylor Rapp first arrived at Washington, he wasn't sure if he would play as a freshman.
"During fall camp, I was like, 'Dang, am I going to redshirt,'" he said after Friday's 41-10 victory over No. 8 Colorado in the Pac-12 championship game.
As he looked around at the other defensive backs on No. 4 Washington's roster when he arrived for the start of spring ball, it didn't look like his first year was going to be one full of big moments.
But, standing on the turf at Levi's Stadium as the MVP of the conference title game, he couldn't believe the serendipitous season that pushed him to that point.
"It's crazy," he said. "I never thought it would ever happen. It's so surreal. I'm just trying to take it all in. It feels like a dream."
With the MVP trophy in his hand, the freshman's smile stretched ear-to-ear.
When asked if he could have envisioned a season with four picks – two in the title game and one for a touchdown – he laughed.
"Heck no," he said. "It's crazy."
Early in the third quarter, the Huskies needed a play to produce some momentum. Rapp provided two. With his team holding a seven-point advantage, he returned an interception 35 yards for a touchdown.
"The first one, I was just in the post backpedaling," he said. "I saw the QB and he threw it. He airmailed it, so I was there for the tip pick."
Then, on the next drive, Rapp picked off a second pass that set up a field goal.
"On the second one, I was playing man on him and I just read it perfectly," he said. "I converted to his low shoulder and picked it off."
The Pac-12's Freshman Defensive Player of the Year pushed the credit for his success to teammates. He praised the rest of Washington's defensive backs for getting him to this point.
"It's crazy," he said. "Playing with Budda (Baker), Sidney (Jones), Kev (Kevin King), it's so awesome. They literally took me under their wing. They taught me their ways. I wouldn't be who I am today without them."
After posing for a picture with the man of the hour, Baker heaped the praise on the teammate who shared the credit.
"He's one of the best freshmen in college football," Baker said. "If anyone saw him right now, they wouldn't think he was a freshman. It's just great to see."
