Tag: leonard taylor

12 more pro days have been scheduled

Draft SZN is in full swing!

As the 2023 NFL draft draws closer, nine more college football programs have scheduled their pro days for this spring. Check out previously-announced days here.

Florida International has changed its Pro Timing Day for draft–eligible players to Monday, March 27 at 7:30 a.m.

Appalachian State will conduct a Pro Timing Day for rising seniors on Monday, March 27 at 8:00 a.m.

Arizona State will now conduct a Pro Timing Day for draft-eligible players on Monday, March 27 at 1:00 p.m.

Appalachian State will now conduct a Pro Timing Day for draft-eligible players on Thursday, March 30 at 8:30

Kansas State has changed its Pro Timing Day for rising seniors to Friday, March 31 at 12:30 p.m.

Mississippi has changed its Pro Timing Day for draft–eligible players to Wednesday, March 29 at 8:15 a.m.

West Florida has changed its Pro Timing Day for rising seniors to Monday, March 27 at 8:00 a.m. 

Memphis has changed its Pro Timing Day for draft-eligible players to Monday, March 27 at 7:00 a.m.

Central Florida will conduct a Pro Timing Day for draft-eligible players on Wednesday, March 29 at 1:00 p.m.

Montana State has changed its Pro Timing Day for rising seniors to Thursday, March 30 at 8:30 a.m.

Connecticut will conduct a Pro Timing Day for rising seniors on Tuesday, April 11 at 9:00 a.m.

Leonard Taylor, TE, Cincinnati will be available for timing and testing at the University of Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 12 at 10:00 a.m.

DeWayne McBride, RB, Alabama-Birmingham will be available for timing and testing at the University of Alabama at Birmingham on Friday, April 21 at 11:00 a.m.

The 2023 NFL draft will be held in Kansas City from April 27-29.

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Cincinnati TE Leonard Taylor aspires to be like Chiefs TE Travis Kelce

Cincinnati TE Leonard Taylor told @EdEastonJr that he aspires to be like #Chiefs TE Travis Kelce both on and off the football field.

The evolution of the tight-end position continues to expand each year, with a new class of talent pushing the limits. The Kansas City Chiefs have arguably the best tight end in the game today, but he isn’t keeping the secrets to his success to himself, especially when his alma mater is involved.

Cincinnati tight end Leonard Taylor was an exceptional blocker and pass catcher during his time with the Bearcats. He showed more value with his chemistry alongside fellow tight end Josh Whyle as the duo was a feared combination throughout the 2022 college football season.

Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke with Taylor at the combine. He revealed that Travis Kelce’s had an influence on his college career and the he aspires to be like him in a number of ways.

“Travis Kelce has affected me tremendously; he always helps me out, man,” said Taylor. “He always gives me great advice when I need it. He’s been a real big role model I look up to, and you know, one day, I want to be just like him.”

Those aspirations extend beyond the impact made on the football field. Taylor also has taken notice of what Kelce has done off the field. Asked about his goals for the NFL, Taylor mentioned winning the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award and giving back to his community.

“I want to help people in my community that struggle and give them a place to live, a roof over their head,” said Taylor. “Find some way to help people better themselves in my community.”

Taylor was a standout high school basketball player in Springfield, Ohio but chose football for his long-term career. It’s another path that he shares with Kelce. The movements from the basketball court have translated to success on the field for Taylor as he seeks to improve his draft stock at this year’s scouting combine.

“So basketball helped me out tremendously for football,” said Taylor. “They helped me with my route running. It helped me with my feet. And it helped me find a way to be agile and versatile in my game.”

Taylor knows he still has plenty of room for growth as he begins his journey into the NFL. His desire to follow in the footsteps of All-Pro like Kelce is certainly a good place to start.

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Notre Dame vs. Cincinnati: Fourth-Quarter Analysis

And that’s all she wrote.

Notre Dame had a nice run of 26 consecutive home wins, but all good things must come to an end. It happened Saturday with a 24-13 loss to Cincinnati, and the Irish’s College Football Playoff hopes likely died along with the aforementioned streak. Meanwhile, the Bearcats’ playoff hopes remain alive, and they have their revenge against Brian Kelly and Marcus Freeman.

The Bearcats (4-0) looked to be in business early in the fourth quarter when Desmond Ridder completed a 44-yard pass to Alec Pierce to get to the 25-yard line of the Irish (4-1). They barely got into the red zone, prompting a call to Cole Smith to attempt a 37-yard field goal. Smith missed his second field goal of the half, and the score remained 17-7.

Drew Pyne came on to lead a drive that included completions of 14 yards to Lorenzo Styles and 20 yards to Michael Mayer. It culminated in a 32-yard touchdown pass to Braden Lenzy, putting the Irish within an extra point of a three-point deficit. Instead, Jonathan Doerer picked a bad time to miss his first extra-point kick since Oct. 2018, meaning the Irish would need another touchdown without giving one up to take the lead.

The Bearcats’ offense went right back to work. Jerome Ford ran for 16 yards on one play, and Leonard Taylor had a 36-yard reception on the other. After another Ford run that went for 11 yards, Ridder took the ball himself to earn a 6-yard touchdown run. Notre Dame Stadium was silent once again except for the large contingent of Bearcats fans in attendance.

Pyne did his best to manufacture a response with time running out, getting the offense to the Bearcats’ 41. That’s where Jabari Taylor and Malik Vann sacked Pyne on second down, and the Irish’s last flickering hopes went out with the back-to-back incomplete passes that followed. Let the party begin in Ohio for the Bearcats’ biggest win ever.

Notre Dame vs. Cincinnati: Second-Quarter Analysis

This has gotten bad.

We were waiting for someone to take control of this game, and it finally has happened. Unfortunately, it’s not Notre Dame. Continued self-inflicted mistakes have cost the Irish, and they find themselves down to Cincinnati, 17-0, at halftime.

On the Irish’s first drive of the second quarter, Tyler Buchner became the second quarterback wearing gold and blue in as many quarters to throw an interception as he was being blitzed. This time, Deshawn Pace made the grab and returned it to the Irish’s 8-yard line. Three plays later, Desmond Ridder hit Leonard Taylor for a 1-yard touchdown pass.

Things got worse when Chris Tyree muffed the ensuing kickoff and Wilson Huber recoverd the ball, setting the Bearcats up inside the Irish’s red zone for the second time in as many drives. They nearly scored another touchdown even quicker than they just had, but an ineligible receiver downfield wiped that out. The special teams turnover still proved costly as Cole Smith eventually drilled a 23-yard field goal.

The quarter reached a standstill for a time with Jack Coan being reinserted as quarterback the only notable event. As something of an improvement over an earlier decision that snuffed out the Irish’s best drive to this point, Coan held onto the ball as he took a third-down sack from Darrian Beavers and Curtis Brooks.

The Bearcats had one last opportunity to open things up before the break and did just that. In a drive that spanned 80 yards and only 68 seconds, Ridder completed three passes of at least 20 yards, culminating in a 27-yard touchdown reception by Tre Tucker. From there, the Bearcats faithful took over Notre Dame Stadium, making their chants heard. They might have a lot more to cheer about really soon.

LSU likely to lose out on 5-star recruit for 2021

LSU has played the recruiting game well, but the Tigers can’t snag them all.

LSU football has played the recruiting game well, even in the midst of unprecedented circumstances surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.

But the Tigers can’t snag them all.

One player who has likely fallen out of reach for LSU’s 2021 recruiting class is five-star defensive tackle Leonard Taylor, whose list of top schools once included LSU, Florida, Auburn, Miami and Tennessee.

He appears to have narrowed that list down now, though, and it doesn’t include LSU.

In a recent interview with 247Sports, Taylor indicated he’d be choosing between Florida and Miami.

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“I have good connection with the coaches [at Florida] and I feel like I would get a great education there,” he said. “Miami is close to home and the coaches show me mad love everyday. I feel like my education would also be great there with their program.”

The 6-foot-4-inch, 255-pounder out of Miami, Fla. (Miami Palmetto), is listed in 247Sports’ composite rankings as the No. 6 player in the state of Florida and the No. 3 defensive tackle in the nation. He’s also listed as the No. 29 overall 2021 recruit in the country.

It will be interesting to see where he ultimately lands when makes his decision.

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