If his former coach’s comments are any indication, there is no ill will toward Will Taylor leaving the Clemson football program.
After two years of being a dual-sport athlete, Taylor announced on July 12 that he was leaving the football team to pursue his passion for baseball full-time.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said the decision to focus on baseball “was definitely the right choice” for Taylor.
“I think we all knew that long term, that was going to be his future,” Swinney said. “Will wants to be a first-round draft pick, and he really felt like this is what he needed to concentrate on this fall. I love that kid, and hopefully, he’ll just come over here and sit around and hang out with us some because he’s just one of those guys you love being around.
“He wouldn’t give anything for the experience he’s gotten; this is what he wanted. He wanted the college experience, and not many guys have the ability to play one sport, much less two. And (he got) to be a champion in both sports.”
Taylor came to Clemson in 2021 and immediately earned playing time as a punt returner before a torn ACL derailed his freshman season. He finished his career as a wide receiver with seven receptions for 22 yards and one touchdown. He also returned 16 punts in his career for an average of 5.63 yards per return.
“Obviously, it didn’t go quite according to script — it rarely does —but he got off to a really good start and was really kind of on his way,” Swinney said.
As Swinney mentioned, Taylor won an ACC championship in two different sports this past academic year, the first Clemson athlete to do so since 1991-92.
While Taylor didn’t find his footing on the football field, he shined on the diamond this past spring, hitting .362 with 67 runs, 16 doubles, two triples and five homers in 62 games (60 starts). He was also fourth in the ACC in on-base percentage at .489.
With Taylor’s commitment to baseball, Clemson’s wide receiver room consists of Beaux Collins, Adam Randall, Antonio Williams and Cole Turner, among others.
— Will Taylor (@willtaylor_10) July 12, 2023
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