Louisiana Talent Tayte Langley is the Best 2019 Linebacker You Do Not Know About… Yet
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
With set recruiting budgets, most Power Five Conference schools tend to focus their efforts in the bigger metropolitan areas seeking to cover more ground with each geographic visit. That approach is understandable, but leaves a lot of amazing talent left to be discovered. One Power Five Conference talent waiting to be discovered in the town of Iota, Louisiana, population 1,400-and change, is Class of 2019 linebacker Tayte Langley.
In all the best ways possible, Langley is that dude in the middle handing out grass stains to anyone and everyone, running backs and linemen, who come across his path in the box. At 6-3, 240, he is quick to the ball and brings the hammer with him on impact. He can use his 4.6 40-yard dash speed in coverage and has the stats, and reel, to back it all up. Going against Louisiana 3A competition, Langley has racked up 108 solo tackles, 145 total, 24 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, two forced fumbles, and a pick helping his Iota squad to an 11-0 season.
Because of the population theory, and despite Langley’s prototypical size and big production, only a handful of schools are even familiar with him. Worth noting that the ability to play college ball runs deep in his family, both grandfather (Willis) and father (Trey) were four-year starters at LSU on the offensive line. Another note, Langley gets after it in the weight room with a 475 squat max and 305 power clean max and in the classroom with a projected 3.4 cumulative GPA by the end of his senior year and a 19 scored on the ACT.
In an RNG exclusive, I sat down with one of the best kept secrets in the 2019 class across the nation to learn more about his game and recruiting process thus far.
Interview
Tayte, the Bulldogs have laid it on the opposition this year dominating on both sides of the ball. Looking at the defense, what makes you guys such a tough force to compete against this season?
“We are fast and physical, we read our keys fast. We are focused in practice and making sure we are in the right spot in the games.”
You are a thumper in the box against the run, what are some of the others things you do well that makes you a standout linebacker?
“Yes. I feel I stop the run well, I also cover in the flats well. I play middle linebacker but I can play outside linebacker. I can cover tight ends. I move my hips well, and I go sideline to sideline really well.”
Which areas of your game are most improved this season?
“I’d say predicting what the offense will do next and reading my keys.”
Of the 11 games played, which has been your best?
“I’d say the Crowley and KIPP Renaissance games were my best.”
What did you do well in the Crowley game?
“I had four tackles for a loss and a really good hit on their running back on a dive play. I think I also had three QB hurries, a sack, and a forced fumble.”
Sounds like a great game. In the opening round of the playoffs the Bulldogs took apart KIPP Renaissance 49-0. You mentioned that was a good game for you, how did that game go for you?
“I had 12 solo tackles and a couple of assisted tackles. In the fourth quarter, they were driving trying to score but we wanted a shutout. I got an interception and took it back from the 1-yard line 60-yards the other way. We had a grudge going into the game and felt we had something to prove to a lot of people.”
What are you expecting in the second round against Baker (9-4)?
“We are expecting them to be physical. They are well coached. But, I think we are good. We have been preparing for the playoffs the last part of the season. We have been waiting for this opportunity. We work hard every day in practice and have a great group of teammates getting after it.”
Within the game, what will be the challenges you’ll face against the Buffaloes offense?
“They have a good running back, he is fast. They also have good sized offensive linemen here and there, and a good fullback. They like to pound it, I will be busy.”
With recruiting, which schools are showing interest in you but have not offered yet?
“I am receiving interest from Louisiana, McNeese State, and Southeastern.”
Have you received an offer yet?
“Yes. I have an offer from Belhaven.”
Have you taken any visits this fall?
“Yes. I visited McNeese on a game day invite.”
How did the visit go?
“It went great. They treated all the recruits well and fed us well.”
Do you have any planned visits upcoming?
“I’d like to go to ULL. I’d like to go to a game if possible.”
Tayte, it has been great learning more about you and your skills today. Good luck on Friday against Baker.
“Thank you.”
*Click link for Tayte Langley’s Hudl reel
Photo credit: Joe Nagata; Tayte Langley gets the sack
Photo credit: Iota High School; No. 43 Tayte Langley