Interview with Impressive 2022 Bishop Gorman OL Jake Taylor
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Bishop Gorman Class of 2022 right tackle Jake Taylor is everything a high school coach wants in a talent on the roster and everything a college coach seeks to help add impact talent to the squad. Taylor was the starting right tackle for the Gaels helping lead the national powerhouse team to an 11-2 finish in 2019. The Las Vegas area squad rolled out of state to play other top teams like Orem (UT), St. Louis (HI), Servite (CA), and Lone Peak (UT) and then played in-state squads like Desert Oasis, Green Valley, and Liberty. Through it all, their now 6-5, 280-pound, lineman was a road-grader using technique, quick feet, strength, and a nasty streak to blow open running lanes while keeping his quarterback’s jersey spotless.
Offers have already been dropped from Arizona State and Utah with teams across the country showing interest.
In an RNG exclusive interview, I sat down with one of Nevada’s top prospects in the 2022 class to learn more about his play on the field.
Interview
Jake, you took on the very big responsibility of starting at right tackle for Bishop Gorman. What was that moment like for you when you found out you had earned a starting spot as a sophomore for one of the nation’s powerhouse high school football teams?
“I was really honored to show the coaches what I can do. My brother (Beau Taylor) went there not too long ago, he goes to UCLA. He’s a freshman, he is second string. They know they can trust the Taylor family.”
Your footwork and foot-speed are impressive, so much so that the coaches were using you on pulling plays back to the inside. What were some of the other traits to your game that stood out last season?
“My coach loves my aggressiveness. My favorite play from last season, I was 30 yards downfield on a bubble play. I knocked out four defensive players. My speed, athleticism, and meanness are other traits that came out last season.”
College coaches have to love that nasty streak you got in you finishing plays. Did you track how many pancake and/or knockdown blocks you got last season?
“Not a total number, but I had a good amount.”
Putting you on the spot; if you had to guess, how many did you have per game? You had to rack them up pulling and blocking down.
“At least six or seven per game. (OG) Camden (Miller) and I are a, dangerous duo, and they have us for two more years.”
How do you feel your game as a pass blocker improved last season?
“I felt really confident. You always hate the fast ends, but I surprised myself how well I did with my pass sets. I don’t think I gave up a sack last year. I gave some pressures, but not a clean sack off my side.”
Bishop Gorman always plays tough teams, non-conference and especially in the playoffs. Was there a marquee game for the Gaels where you turned in one of your top performances?
“My standout game came against Green Valley (playoffs). That’s one of my best games ever. I went against a dude, Domingo, he was a senior. I stoned him each time I had the chance to block him. He got a lot of big offers to big schools, but he had no shot against me in that game.”
Your strength on the field shows. What are your maxes in the weight room?
“One thing I love about Gorman, we have testing shirts. The guys who are not the strongest, they get a white shirt for little maxes. Blue shirts are for 225 on bench, squat 300, and power clean 200. Black is 350 squat, bench 275, and power clean is 225. My last shirt, I barely missed Ironman. That’s the strongest of the strong. That is 400 squat, 300 bench, 275 clean.”
What did you post on your lifts?
“The clean was what got me. My maxes were 340 on bench, 405 on squat, and my clean was 245. Yesterday, I did 275 on power clean. I am ready for our next max.”
With your game, what are you working on this offseason?
“This offseason I am working on keeping up what I was doing last year. I was solid last year. I am fine-tuning everything and fixing my mistakes. I am practicing against the speed rush. When we go on the field, we do one-on-ones. I am staying low on my pulls and blocking in general. When I got tired late in games last season, I popped straight up. I am working on that.”
Turning to recruiting. Which schools are showing interest?
“A heavy one is Oklahoma. We called the coaches, my coach and I. We had a plan to go there. We had airplane tickets for last week. With the sickness, that was cancelled. I will watch my brother’s spring game at UCLA, if that happens. I want to get to Notre Dame sometime soon. I’ve talked to Nebraska and Michigan State, Notre Dame has sent mail.”
Which schools have offered you?
“Arizona State and Utah.”
Did you get to take any visits over the last few months?
“The two visits I took were to UCLA and USC.”
We are far away from the start of the 2020 season, but still, what has you excited already about the upcoming season?
“Be ready, this year will be special. Our offensive line will be crazy and our running backs will be scarier. We have three D-I running backs. Since we have a new offensive coordinator, we will be running the ball more. Running the ball is fun for a lineman. It is fun being able to move someone against their will.”
Jake, it was great getting time in with you today. Good luck with the rest of you workouts until we speak again.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Taylor family; Jake Taylor