photo credits: Natalie Pierce

 

With just one game left in his senior year, and his entire high school football career on the line, Kurt Taylor took the time to speak with Recruit Georgia about the recruiting process, his senior season, and what it means to play in a state title game.

This will be the second state championship that Grayson has competed for in the last six years, but for a player like Kurt Taylor, who originally hales from Covington, this is the realization of a dream.

“I’m so excited to play my last high school game in the Georgia Dome for the state championship. This is a dream come true for me,” Taylor said.

The last three seasons, Taylor played for Newton High School under coach Terrance Banks, but due to a rule in Newton County, Kurt was forced to transfer, or he would not be able to enroll a semester early at the University of Michigan. The right circumstances led him to Grayson High School, which by the time he had transferred was widely considered the best team in the state of Georgia. So fast forward to December, where the powerful running back is just days away from playing for a state championship.

“Winning the Georgia high school state championship is so important to me because I want to leave high school as a winner. My dad always told me that hard work is undefeated and now it’s paying off.”

One thing is for certain—Kurt Taylor is a hard worker. This is our third year covering high school football in the state of Georgia, and Taylor had to be the one of the most dedicated athletes we have ever seen. He is a weight-room warrior, and during the spring, he sent us a video of him bench repping 225 pounds 28 times in a row, which would have ranked him first among running backs in the NFL draft last spring. No one outworks Kurt Taylor.

Michigan head football coach Jim Harbaugh saw that two summers ago, and Taylor was almost immediately offered after coming up for an early-August visit in 2015. The Wolverines were the first big Power 5 program to offer Taylor, and that made a lasting impression on the recruit, who felt overlooked at times by other colleges.

The senior star back has been involved with community service since his freshman year in high school and really enjoys giving back. His father, who has played a central role in his upbringing, always pushed Taylor be a better person.

“My dad always told me that being a successful athlete is more than playing football. He further stated that it’s my responsibility to always give back to the youth. God will always bless you when you help and become a positive role model for the youth.”

At this point, Taylor is a seasoned veteran in the recruiting game, so we asked what advice he could provide to younger recruits.

“The advice I would give to all of the high school athletes is to enjoy and embrace the moment. Most athletes get caught up in the stars and the offers. I want to tell all the athletes to enjoy the recruiting process and work hard every day.”

Taylor continued, “Hard work is undefeated. All the college coaches appreciate hard work and a great character. Also, last but not least, respect your parents, and the people that supported you during the process.”

For Taylor, this seriously has been a process, and every single moment has led up to this weekend when he plays for a state championship. So we asked: What’s his favorite part of being a high school student-athlete?

“My favorite part of being a high school student-athlete is to look back on my freshman year, and all the people who supported me during the process. I worked hard on and off the field and now it’s all paying off. I have done the work in the classroom and have a 3.2 GPA. I am playing for a state championship, and I am committed to the University of Michigan. I am truly grateful and blessed!”

Grayson plays Roswell at 8 p.m. this Saturday in a game where countless top-flight athletes will be going head-to-head. You can watch Kurt Taylor and the rest of these stellar student-athletes compete by going to the GPB WEBSITE to watch games online for free.

 

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