Taylor Might Not Be Able To Dodge The Spotlight
September 25, 2019 | Football
By Madison MacPhee
Defensive back Keith Taylor Jr. has never been keen on being the center of attention or in the spotlight. The junior out of Long Beach, California has always shied away from the hype and media when it comes to his football career and life in general. But now this season, with teammates moving on to the NFL, Taylor will be a big name on the Huskies defense.
"I've never really been the one all about the hype," Taylor admitted. "I'm not the dude who always wants to be in front of the camera. Whenever I want to do something in my life, outside of football too, I just do it, I don't like procrastination I like just getting straight to the point. I don't think about how I am in the spotlight that much, before the season, I deleted Twitter just to really focus. I am trying to block out the outside noise."
With no social media distractions, Taylor is ready to focus and work hard this season for the Huskies. Through four games, Taylor has started every game and come up with some big tackles.
Taylor wasn't always a force to be reckoned with however. It wasn't until his junior year in high school when he transferred from St. John Bosco to Servite that Taylor played in a varsity football game. In his final two years playing high school ball, Taylor came into his own and his sights were set on continuing his passion into college.
"It wasn't that weird of a transition from high school to college," Taylor said. "It was just kind of how my path went. I just stuck with it, played my role, and kept grinding.
"I love football and have been playing since I was six years old, ever since then I never wanted to stop playing. I took a year off from football in eighth grade, and that was probably the worst decision I've ever made in my life. That is when I realized I just have to play this sport and I love it too much to quit like that."
Although football is at the center of his life, Taylor has a dream job in mind once his playing days are over.
"I would want to own my own entertainment/production company. Producing music, or even go a broader route producing movies, or TV shows, I really like that kind of stuff."
As a communications major, Taylor also puts a strong emphasis on school and his studies. Sometimes, however, as a student-athlete, that balance can be hard, but Taylor credits his success to time management and alone time when needed.
"Time management and doing that wisely is so important, plus getting a lot of sleep," Taylor said. "I also just need my space sometimes, that's how I am. I am with people and my teammates everyday so those last hours of the day I need to myself. I don't find the balance too hard; I have friends all in the same area so if I want to hang with them I can go hang out."
Along with time management and sleep, Taylor emphasized his relationship with his father, Keith Taylor Sr., and the effect he has had on Taylor Jr.'s life and career. Taylor Sr., a pastor out of Long Beach, has always been there to lend a word of advice.
"He was just a normal dad, he is my dude," Taylor said. "I went to church every Sunday and would listen to his messages. He teaches me about faith even when we are not in church. It has been a little weird since I moved away but I still call him every Sunday and once more during the week to get a word from him."
Along with his father, defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach Jimmy Lake has also had a big impact on him and his football career. With a long list of players coached by Lake now in the NFL, he is credited with creating not only one of the best defensive back development programs in the Pac-12, but in the nation, and Taylor recognizes that.
"He is probably the smartest guy I have ever been coached by," Taylor said. "Every little detail, every coaching point, it all matters. I just have so much respect for him and his teaching. I knew that even before I came here. He is a great coach but just a great dude also."
With an emphasis on the details, the Washington football program has also coined the term 'Built for Life' which in Taylor's eyes reflect actions on and off the field.
"Everything that Coach (Chris) Petersen is teaching us whether it is about football or just life in general, it is preparing us," Taylor said. "Our golden rules are be early, make good decisions, and finish everything. Those apply to life also, everything about this program is preparing us. We focus on the details a lot because it is about the little things. The little things add up quick into big things and become your second nature."
With everyone on the team on the same page and playing a pivotal part, the Huskies' hopes are set high. And Taylor knows that as a starter on the defense, he must take on more of a leadership role in order to help his team fulfill their goals.
Although Taylor doesn't want to be the center of attention, he knows that the spotlight might be unavoidable. With every tackle and interception he makes, along with every win his team records, it's inevitable that the attention will ratchet up. It might be the only way Taylor will be content standing out from the crowd.
"Everyone matters," he said. "Everyone has a role to play, everyone has details to focus on, everyone is important."
Even those out of the spotlight.
Defensive back Keith Taylor Jr. has never been keen on being the center of attention or in the spotlight. The junior out of Long Beach, California has always shied away from the hype and media when it comes to his football career and life in general. But now this season, with teammates moving on to the NFL, Taylor will be a big name on the Huskies defense.
"I've never really been the one all about the hype," Taylor admitted. "I'm not the dude who always wants to be in front of the camera. Whenever I want to do something in my life, outside of football too, I just do it, I don't like procrastination I like just getting straight to the point. I don't think about how I am in the spotlight that much, before the season, I deleted Twitter just to really focus. I am trying to block out the outside noise."
With no social media distractions, Taylor is ready to focus and work hard this season for the Huskies. Through four games, Taylor has started every game and come up with some big tackles.
Taylor wasn't always a force to be reckoned with however. It wasn't until his junior year in high school when he transferred from St. John Bosco to Servite that Taylor played in a varsity football game. In his final two years playing high school ball, Taylor came into his own and his sights were set on continuing his passion into college.
"It wasn't that weird of a transition from high school to college," Taylor said. "It was just kind of how my path went. I just stuck with it, played my role, and kept grinding.
"I love football and have been playing since I was six years old, ever since then I never wanted to stop playing. I took a year off from football in eighth grade, and that was probably the worst decision I've ever made in my life. That is when I realized I just have to play this sport and I love it too much to quit like that."
Although football is at the center of his life, Taylor has a dream job in mind once his playing days are over.
"I would want to own my own entertainment/production company. Producing music, or even go a broader route producing movies, or TV shows, I really like that kind of stuff."
As a communications major, Taylor also puts a strong emphasis on school and his studies. Sometimes, however, as a student-athlete, that balance can be hard, but Taylor credits his success to time management and alone time when needed.
"Time management and doing that wisely is so important, plus getting a lot of sleep," Taylor said. "I also just need my space sometimes, that's how I am. I am with people and my teammates everyday so those last hours of the day I need to myself. I don't find the balance too hard; I have friends all in the same area so if I want to hang with them I can go hang out."
Along with time management and sleep, Taylor emphasized his relationship with his father, Keith Taylor Sr., and the effect he has had on Taylor Jr.'s life and career. Taylor Sr., a pastor out of Long Beach, has always been there to lend a word of advice.
"He was just a normal dad, he is my dude," Taylor said. "I went to church every Sunday and would listen to his messages. He teaches me about faith even when we are not in church. It has been a little weird since I moved away but I still call him every Sunday and once more during the week to get a word from him."
Along with his father, defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach Jimmy Lake has also had a big impact on him and his football career. With a long list of players coached by Lake now in the NFL, he is credited with creating not only one of the best defensive back development programs in the Pac-12, but in the nation, and Taylor recognizes that.
"He is probably the smartest guy I have ever been coached by," Taylor said. "Every little detail, every coaching point, it all matters. I just have so much respect for him and his teaching. I knew that even before I came here. He is a great coach but just a great dude also."
With an emphasis on the details, the Washington football program has also coined the term 'Built for Life' which in Taylor's eyes reflect actions on and off the field.
"Everything that Coach (Chris) Petersen is teaching us whether it is about football or just life in general, it is preparing us," Taylor said. "Our golden rules are be early, make good decisions, and finish everything. Those apply to life also, everything about this program is preparing us. We focus on the details a lot because it is about the little things. The little things add up quick into big things and become your second nature."
With everyone on the team on the same page and playing a pivotal part, the Huskies' hopes are set high. And Taylor knows that as a starter on the defense, he must take on more of a leadership role in order to help his team fulfill their goals.
Although Taylor doesn't want to be the center of attention, he knows that the spotlight might be unavoidable. With every tackle and interception he makes, along with every win his team records, it's inevitable that the attention will ratchet up. It might be the only way Taylor will be content standing out from the crowd.
"Everyone matters," he said. "Everyone has a role to play, everyone has details to focus on, everyone is important."
Even those out of the spotlight.
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