With the draft in its final round, the Raiders were eager to add some intangible qualities to their team. That's where Trey Taylor, fresh out of the Air Force Academy, comes in.
Talking to Taylor post-draft, it's clear he's got a solid head on his shoulders, which serves him well on the football field. "The opportunity to serve while playing football and studying at one of America's most prestigious schools is something you can't pass up," Taylor said. "I'm thrilled to have landed there. The Academy taught me a lot about myself, my maturity, how to grow, and how to spread my wings. It made me who I am today."
Taylor clinched the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top safety, thanks in part to his reputation as a big hitter, with an impressive 205 tackles over three seasons for the Falcons. That's the kind of energy the Raiders are counting on him to bring.
"On the field, I'm a killer," Taylor added confidently. "I have a different instinct when I step onto the field, and I carried that from the Academy. I'm looking to bring it to this team. I feel like there are a lot of people on this team who share that mentality. I'm definitely ready to embrace that identity." This energy will also make him an immediate asset on special teams.
As a Navy man, it's hard for me to get past the fact that he chose Air Force for school.
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