The Taylor family has seen their fair share of success on the football field.
So when Kendyl Taylor decided to come play his final two years closer to home: the University of Washington’s loss was NAU’s gain as the former Chandler Hamilton High star figures to be a key piece in Jerome Souers’ offense this fall, becoming eligible immediately dropping down from Division I.
The Lumberjacks plan to use Taylor’s skill set all over the field as he’s expected to see snaps at receiver, running back and kick/punt returner.
“It’s definitely more difficult,” Taylor explained to Sports360AZ.com on the added workload in the offense. “All our signals. You have to know what to look for. To [play] at this level you have to have technique. You have to know what your reads are.”
Off the field has been a bit of an adjustment as well, going from big city Seattle to the quaint, more low-key Flagstaff.
“The city is a little small but the campus is nice,” he said. “I’m liking it. I’m liking it a lot.”
Souers is liking what he seeing from his new skill player citing his “tremendous speed and explosiveness.” The ‘Jacks figure to field one of their best receiving groups in program history as Taylor joins fellow former Valley prep stars Alex Holmes, Emmanuel Butler, Elijah Marks and others. Throw in former Chaparral High standout and Texas/University of Arizona quarterback Connor Brewer and one would expect a high number of points scored in the high altitude.
The 5’10, 205-pound Kendyl is the younger brother of former ASU star receiver Kerry Taylor. Their uncle John Taylor was a two-time Pro-Bowler and three-time Super Bowl Champion with the San Francisco 49ers.
