NFL News NFL News, Reports and Updates
Jul. 12—MORGANTOWN — For the first time in a long time, a tight end played a critical role in West Virginia’s passing game in 2023.
Kole Taylor, who transferred in from LSU last summer, led the Mountaineers with 35 receptions last season, finishing third with 444 receiving yards and tied for the team lead with four touchdowns. Taylor singlehandedly more than doubled the position’s production from the previous season, in which three tight ends combined for just 16 receptions and 153 yards with no touchdowns.
Now entering his senior season, the goal for Taylor is to continue what he’s done as a receiver while also improving at the more-physical aspects of the position.
“Kole and I are on a very individualized plan, ” WVU tight ends coach Blaine Stewart said this spring. “I think the big thing for him is maximizing his physical development as much as he can push himself.”
Taylor was limited during spring practices due to an injury, but that just opened up more time for him to spend in the film room.
“We are studying what he did last year and we are studying what we want to take to the next level, ” Stewart said. “We’re studying former tight ends who have come out and been successful early in their NFL career.”
Part of that early NFL success, according to Stewart, is not being a one-dimensional tight end. That also applies to Taylor’s backup, albeit in reverse.
While Taylor is trying to add a blocking element to his receiving game, senior Treylan Davis is trying to add a receiving element to his blocking skills.
Davis has only caught seven passes in 30 career games with the Mountaineers. Like Taylor, he’s looking to expand his game in his final season in Morgantown.
“The first thing I noticed coming off the bowl game was his development with his body, physically, ” Stewart said of Davis. “If he wants to take that next step,…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/wvu-football-position-preview-top-035900424.html
Author : The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va.
Publish date : 2024-07-13 03:59:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
