Mason Taylor, the New York Jets’ newly drafted rookie tight end, is ready to make his mark in the NFL. He was the second-round selection out of LSU. With starting tight end Tyler Conklin heading out to free agency, he suddenly finds himself in a major new role with the team. Taylor did three excellent seasons at LSU. He departed as the school’s all-time leading receiver for tight ends, accumulating a staggering 129 catches for 1,308 yards and six TDs.
The under-18 national team goal-getter has football in her blood as her family boasts a storied football legacy. His father, Jason Taylor, is one of the all-time great NFL players. That’s why the Miami Dolphins took him in the third round. His uncle, Zach Thomas, enjoyed a Hall of Fame career. He was selected by the same franchise in the fifth round of the draft. This legacy comes with both prestige and burden to Mason Taylor, who is well aware of the standard that comes with his surname.
I want to be them when I grow up. You might think that I’m just trying to recreate them, but I genuinely have fun modeling my game off of their work ethic and determination. Mason stated during the event, acknowledging the difficulty of living up to the legacy created by his father and uncle.
As Mason looks ahead to his rookie season, excitement and pressure lay comfortably at his feet. He noted, “There’s high expectations, for sure, just because of the last name.” The historical connotation of having these important people in his family, he said, is a blessing. Well, ahead of Mason’s first NFL minicamp, his father provided him with key counsel. Influence his father, a Navy man himself, told him to “just be where your feet are.” All of this advice sticks with him as he prepares for the hard transition to professional football.
Walking into the Jets’ facility for the first time, Mason Taylor knew he’d come a long way. He remembered his dad walking through those same doors in 2010, calling it a “surreal experience.” This connection to his father’s past only serves to deepen Scheller’s desire to carve out his own identity in the league.
Head coach Aaron Glenn has been clear with the confidence he carries in Mason’s abilities, saying that he’s a guy that “can do it all.” In Taylor’s defense, he has an intriguing skill set and lofty expectations placed upon him. He’s looking to put a stamp of authority on the Jets this season. His team were excited to see how he adjusts to the pro game. They’re even more excited about his dedication to make good on his family’s legacy.
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