IUFB Commit Reese Taylor Takes Home Indiana Mr. Football Award

Image: Indystar.com

Written By T.J. Inman (@T.J.HoosierHuddle)

After a standout senior season in which he led the Ben Davis Giants to an unbeaten season and the 6A Indiana State Title, Reese Taylor has been named Indiana's Mr. Football. The honor goes to the state's top player each season and Taylor certainly earned it after completing 73% of his passes, throwing for 3,150 yards and 40 passing touchdowns. In addition, he ran for 802 more yards and 15 touchdowns as the centerpiece of one of the most explosive high school offenses in the country. 

Rival coaches praised his play and ability, "He's the best I've ever coached against," former Lawrence Central coach Bill Peebles told the Indy Star. "He's not an athlete playing quarterback, he's a great quarterback."

His own coach praised his leadership skills, "Reese's leadership has progressed more in the last 12 months than any I can remember," Ben Davis coach Mike Kirschner said.

There's not much else Taylor can do or prove at the high school level and IU fans are ready to see if his tremendous play and leadership can migrate to Bloomington. The Hoosiers initially recruited Taylor as a cornerback and loved his athletic ability and potential to become a shutdown defender. However, after a dominant performance in front of IU's coaching staff in the middle of the high school season, Tom Allen and company let Taylor know that the first spot they'd give him a shot at would be quarterback. IU needs a difference-maker to breakthrough against the Big Ten's best and it's possible Reese Taylor can become that player.

"I just want to thank God for the ability he has given to me to stand out and blessing me with the right mindset to overcome the obstacles that have been in the way and thank my parents for pushing me to be a great person off the field. I also want to thank the Ben Davis coaches for trusting in me to lead their team...I thank everyone who voted for me so I could be the one to get the Mr. Football award. Now it's time to be a Hoosier...LEO", Taylor posted on social media. 

Fellow IU commit Jordan Jusevitch from Lowell High School was third in the voting but the clear winner was Reese Taylor. He will jump into competition with Peyton Ramsey and Nick Tronti and there is no reason to discount his chances to see the field and be a factor in 2018.