Interview: 2018 California CB Isaac Taylor-Stuart to make Case for Fifth Star in 2016

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Whoever is at or near the top of the list for top cornerbacks in the 2018 recruiting class Isaac Taylor-Stuart is coming for you.

After a standout sophomore season of coming after ball carriers, receivers, and ill-advised quarterback passes, Taylor quickly launched himself into the conversation as one of the best players in the country at his position. The St. Augustine High School rising star ended his sophomore season with 56 tackles, 47 solo, three tackles for a loss, and one fumble recovery; all fantastic numbers for a corner coming up to stop the run.

When opposing California offenses tried him in the passing game, Taylor picked off three attempts and swatted away 13 passes giving his area on the field a no-fly zone.

On top of having good cover skills, aiming low to take out ball carriers, and reading plays ahead of his classification, Taylor also has the size and speed to back up his play. The now- 6-1.5, 185 pound, speedster has dropped eye-popping times throughout the off-season posting a 4.43 at the Nike Opening Regional in Los Angeles followed by three different hand-held times of 4.31, 4.33, and 4.31.

College coaches across the country are quickly coming around to the San Diego area to learn more about Taylor. So far Taylor has been extended 10 offers coming in from UCLA, USC, Alabama, Notre Dame, SDSU, Utah, UNLV, Arizona, Washington, and Washington State. Once Taylor starts shutting down receivers again in 2016, expect that list to double quicker than Taylor’s make up speed.

In a Recruiting News Guru stylized interview, I caught up with Taylor covering his high school career to date, his off-season workouts, and received a recruiting news update.

Interview

Isaac, how long have you been playing varsity ball for St. Augustine?

“My first game was against Oceanside (Game 1 of the 2014 season).”

You started your freshman year right?

“Yes. I started at cornerback.”

After two years of varsity ball, what are some of the things you do well as a corner on the field?

“I’ve gotten better at reading the plays. I’ve gotten faster at reading and reacting to plays. When the wide receiver makes a break, it is easier for me to react to the ball to get a deflection and break on the ball to make a play.”

What have you been working on this off-season?

“I’ve mostly been working on getting more weight on my frame. I’ve gained 20 to 25 pounds this off-season. I’m bigger and stronger now which will help me push wide receivers off their routes. I’ve worked on my speed and footwork too.”

You mentioned your speed. Your reel shows you have a lot of it. What is the best 40-yard dash time you’ve ran this off-season?

“I ran a 40 at the Nike Regional in LA. I ran a 4.43 there. We had another testing where I ran a 4.31. A different coach clocked me at 4.33 and another coach clocked me at 4.31.”

That’s really impressive and consistent.

“Thank you.”

Did you earn any individual honors at the end of last season?

“I believe I was first team All-League.”

You played primarily at corner last year, will we see you at multiple positions this year?

“I’m lining up at wide receiver, running back, and at punt and kick returner.”

Are you excited about your new role on offense?

“Yeah. I get to score touchdowns and put points on the board. I get to break tackles, make the crowd go crazy, and I get to be a game changer this year. I’m excited.”

What personal or teams goals have you set for your junior year?

“My main goal is to win CIF and state. It is always good to have a ring and a tile coming from St. Augustine.”

Did you go to any college camps this summer?

“I only went to one. I went to an Alabama camp.”

How did the camp at Alabama go for you?

“It went really well. The coaches were nice and happy to have me there. It was hot there. I sweated a lot, but it went great overall.”

What did you learn at the Alabama camp that you will use going forward?

“I mostly focused on technique and how to read and react to the ball faster. I learn more about how the receiver runs their routes so I know what to expect.”

You visited Alabama, did you make any other unofficial visits this off-season?

“I went to SDSU (San Diego State).”

How did your visit with the Aztecs go?

“It was a good visit to my home town college. The campus is nice. They showed me the new weight room they are building. I got to see how nice everything is on campus there.”

What type of feedback have you received from the various colleges about your game?

“They all tell me they like my speed and size. There are not too many like me out there that can move like me with hips like mine. They like my recovery time and how I crash against wide receivers. They like that my arms are long.”

How many offers do you have right now?

“I have 10 offers.”

Of the schools that have offered, are any pushing a little bit harder than the rest to build that relationship?

“There are a couple schools keeping in touch a lot. Alabama, USC, UCLA, Utah, SDSU, and Notre Dame are the schools that I’d say I talk to the most.”

Which schools are showing interest in you but have not offered you yet?

“Michigan, Texas A&M, FSU (Florida State), Colorado, Missouri, LSU, Ohio State, Cal, and Stanford are all showing interest.”

Do you have any visits planned for this fall or winter?

“I have not thought of any yet.”

How did your sophomore year end up in the classroom?

“I had a 3.0 GPA.”

Which subject in school is your favorite?

“I like religion. Religion is one of my best classes.”

Do you play any other sports for St. Augustine other than football?

“I ran track my freshman and sophomore year and I played basketball. I tried out for baseball but got cut after the first day.”

What?!?! With your speed, I would have kept you on the squad as a pinch runner just to steal bases.

“I know. I tried to convince our coach to keep me but he didn’t.”

With track, which events did you run?

“I ran the 200, 400, long jump, and I did relays in the 4×1 and sometimes in the 4×4 if they needed me.”

What was your best time in the 200?

“22.04.”

Nice. Switching to the Saints football team. How does the look for the 2016 season?

“The team looks nice. We are trying to learn how to be perfect before we start the season. We are rebuilding the O-line, and they are looking good. Our linebacker corps looking nice too. We have a good quarterback and our wide receiver corps is better than ever. Our secondary is looking nice too. We will be hard to beat this year.”

Are there any games on the schedule you are getting excite to play?

“One game is against Cathedral (Oct. 28). That could be the best game of the season. I’m pumped for that game. Loyola (Los Angeles – Sept. 9) is another one. We took losses to them my freshman and sophomore seasons. I want to beat them this year.”

Isaac, thanks for your time today and good luck with the 2016 season.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Taylor-Stuart family; Isaac Taylor-Stuart at Alabama with Nick Saban.

Photo credit: Taylor-Stuart family; Isaac Taylor-Stuart at SDSU.

Photo credit:  sdfnlmagazine.com; No. 5 Isaac Taylor Stuart locks down a receiver.