It’s time to start to get to know more of our future Wildcats. Arizona Football has some exciting players coming from California for the 2016 season. Let’s meet J.J. Taylor!
Getting to know the young men who commit to play University of Arizona Football is such an enjoyable experience. You realize very quickly that Coach Rich Rod and his staff are great at finding upstanding people who happen to be great athletes with a hunger for success, J.J. Taylor fits the bill.
J.J., first name Joseph after his father, stands 5’6″ and weighs 165 pounds, he is still growing and willing to do whatever the coaches recommend him to do as far as a workout. His high school coaches gave him the nickname “Little Muscle.”
Taylor blows through defenses. In Taylor’s last two games, he scored a total of SIX touchdowns. He carried for an average of 9.8 yards on 28 carries for 275 total yards for his No. 1 ranked Centennial High School Huskies team in Corona, CA. Impressive. As a Junior, Taylor scored a total of 27 touchdowns, ran 178 times for 1,657 yards. Maybe this is why one of the major reasons his team is ranked No. 1?
Taylor was confident in committing to Arizona after his visit to the campus, “When I took my visit that set it all off,” J.J. said. “Seeing the campus and the stadium and seeing how the Wildcats trained in the weight room really caught my eye and I didn’t want to take any chances, so I made it official.”
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Taylor is the fourth of six children, “home life is simple I live with my mother, father, two older brothers and my little brother and little sister. My oldest sister is out the house and their names in order are Star, Andrew, Andre, Janae and Javon.” His parents, mother Latrese and father Joseph Sr., have a nice big family, and we don’t want to forget the family dog, Cuddles, who makes seven total siblings.
Taylor isn’t the only athlete in his family, “My parents both played sports when they were younger, track for both, and my dad played football. My youngest sister plays softball, other than that I’m the only one to play football.”
Love these two @Cen10Football pep rally @ForrestRivers and @21taylor04 best boys since 5years old. #brothas4lyfe pic.twitter.com/bXnEf4s0Hm
— Mel Rivers (@melcheer40) August 28, 2015
J.J. patterns his game after former San Diego Charger Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson.
Nov 14, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; LaDainian Tomlinson on the NFL Network set before the game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Tennessee Titans at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports, who boasted some impressive career stats. When I asked ‘why LT?’ he answered, “I watched him a lot while I was growing up, and I liked the way he played and held himself.”
The Chargers will retire his No. 21 Jersey this year. According to ESPN, ‘Tomlinson retired from the NFL in 2012 as the league’s fifth all-time leading rusher (13,684 career yards) and its second-most prolific scorer with 145 career rushing touchdowns.’ Great choice for a role model, don’t you think?
When J.J. plays the game of football, things come naturally to him. “I think, if anything, football has always been that sport that when I play I forget about everything and I relax,” he said, “So I just let the game come to me.” He has no pregame rituals, no specific song to listen to, he’s just a calm, relaxed and skilled athlete.
I have watched a few live interviews with sports broadcasters and Taylor. He seems so relaxed and comfortable in front of the camera, it’s no wonder he’s so successful at being a great running back.
I asked him about his plan for adjusting to college ball, “I’d just do what coach tells me because he has trained all these athletes to be the best and play at a high level.” Smart young man!
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We spoke about his workout routine next. I was wondering if he has any particular workout, and if he has tried Yoga like the team did last month, “OOo yoga is hard. I tried it a couple of months back. And other than that I’m just doing what I have done and when I get to Arizona if they tell me I need to improve on something then I’ll start working on it.” He did agree he doesn’t stretch enough, maybe that’s what he’ll work on before he gets to Tucson.
Growing up in Southern California, sometimes these players are in the same Pop-warner football leagues. J.J. actually played against
in a Pop-warner league, “We never played together, but we have played against each other, and I know he is a very competitive athlete and I can’t wait to play with him”
I reached out to Khalil to see if he wanted to give us any insight into J.J.’s game, and he had a lot to say. “J.J. is a great player, he’s a smaller guy, but actually has a lot of heart and plays with a lot of enthusiasm,” he said, “and when he gets the ball he explodes!”
When J.J. isn’t studying or playing football, he loves competing by playing something else, “Video games! That’s all I do when I’m not playing football is sit in my room and play the PS4 all day.” His favorite games? “Rocket League and call of duty! Can play those all day,” he said. I am sure there are plenty of students and fans who can relate.
He did catch the Arizona football game yesterday, I asked him what he thought, “I thought it was great and the running game was working tonight.”
Asked if he wanted to thank anyone, “All of my close friends and all of my coaches and the teachers who taught me a lot of things that I going to keep with me for the rest of my life!”
J.J. has a message for you Wildcats fans as well, “I can’t wait to be a Wildcat, and I want to thank anyone and everyone who’s ever been a part of my life.”
Here are some of J.J.’s highlights for you to enjoy:
