Cliff Grassmick, Every day Digital camera
College of Colorado Boulder’s Tyrin Taylor tries to cease a hurdling Tay Davis, of Washington, in the course of the Nov. 20, 2021 sport in Boulder.
Tyrin Taylor doesn’t have an issue determining the way to get a exercise in, as he proved in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wrapping up his highschool profession within the fall of 2020 in North Carolina, he posted movies of himself understanding in his storage or anyplace he might discover gear.
That work paid off, as Taylor obtained on the sector for the Colorado Buffaloes as a real freshman defensive again final yr.
This spring, Taylor has mixed final yr’s expertise with the chance to make the most of CU’s gear and workers. He has bulked up, change into extra versatile and carries confidence as he goes into his second season with the Buffaloes.
“I really feel far more assured,” Taylor stated. “Final yr, there can be typically I used to be second guessing myself. However now, I’m actually within the scheme, I actually can go on the market and simply go away all the things behind me, simply go on the market and play.”
When Taylor arrived as an early enrollee in January of 2021, he was slotted to play cornerback. He then shifted to enjoying security in the course of the season. With the Buffs about midway by way of spring practices, he’s enjoying some at free security and so much at nickel again.
“I’m actually in a rotation with quite a lot of various things,” he stated. “That’s the place I’m actually gonna make an affect for the group this yr.”
Accidents to veterans pressured Taylor to shift his focus final yr, and he admits he’s performed extra positions than he anticipated, however he’s having fun with the function.
“I needed to study (security and nickel) inside two to 3 weeks and man I used to be on the market within the fireplace,” he stated. “I prefer to be versatile so much, too, as a result of I can do so much (extra) than simply keep stationary and play nook or play free, play nickel. It’s positively so much.”
General, Taylor performed 257 snaps and recorded 10 tackles. That makes him one in every of CU’s most skilled safeties — which causes a little bit of concern for the Buffaloes.
Senior Isaiah Lewis is returning after beginning the previous two seasons however the different beginning security from final yr, Mark Perry, has transferred to TCU. Taylor and fellow true sophomore Trevor Woods (139 snaps in 2021) rank behind Lewis by way of snaps performed.
Junior Jaylen Striker is in his third yr with CU and has performed cornerback, however is working at security this spring. He missed all of final season with an harm and has but to play a snap on protection in two seasons with the Buffs.
The remainder of the protection group this spring is stuffed with walk-ons, together with junior Anthony Lyle. Redshirt freshmen Ben Finneseth and Jordan Woolverton have transformed from receiver and quarterback, respectively, to assist with depth.
It hasn’t helped that Lewis has been nursing an harm this spring.
“I’m not going to say it’s been difficult, however it’s been attention-grabbing as a result of many of the guys in that room have little or no enjoying expertise,” safeties coach Brett Maxie stated. “Trevor and Tyrin are actually the one two (wholesome safeties) in that room which have performed some important soccer for us. … So it’s been attention-grabbing to say the least.”
Regardless of the dearth of depth — which is able to change when CU will get three incoming recruits in the summertime — CU has good younger expertise at security, together with Taylor.
Taking part in with about 165-167 kilos on his 6-foot-2 body final season, Taylor stated he’s now round 180-182 and higher suited to assist the Buffs.
“I’ve been placing on quite a lot of weight so I can tackle blocks,” he stated. “I really feel good. It’s completely different. You’ll be able to really feel it. I’m stronger, extra explosive.
“I’ve obtained to fill the B-gap typically, various things like that. I’ve been engaged on somewhat issues: movie examine, choosing up a couple of keys … engaged on my small strategies, press strategies completely different than like that.”
With confidence, expertise and a much bigger body, Taylor is able to tackle a much bigger function.
“It’s quite a lot of completely different strategies (enjoying security and nickel),” he stated. “Loads of completely different guys you’ll see: quick guys, tall guys. It’s a problem, however I adore it.”
