Reese Taylor Helping Younger DBs Understand the Standards of the IU Secondary

Image: Indiana University Athletics

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@HoosierHuddle

“A football player has to be a football player, you have to learn to adjust in any type of way.” Indiana defensive back Reese Taylor said this morning in response to my question about adjusting to Charlton Warren’s defense. Warren takes over for Kane Wommack who left IU to become the head coach at South Alabama. While the nuances of the defense may change a little, the standard that Taylor is setting for the younger defensive backs hasn’t.

“This year it is more of a standard that we have to set and uphold. Every practice and any game that we play, we are going to have to set that goal and make sure that we reach it. Us returning, though, is a big part of the team. It's going to help us out a lot. Our defense is making a bigger step to gel together as a whole to play even faster, to play even better.” Taylor said as the Hoosiers are past the mid-point of spring practice.

The Indiana secondary returns most of its starters from 2020 and while Jamar Johnson left for the NFL, IU does get Marcelino Ball-McCrary back. Warren has big shoes to fill as the Hoosiers were second in the nation in total interceptions, but Taylor has faith his new DC is up to the task.

“Coach Warren is a good coach, he knows what he is doing.” Taylor said. “He's a smart guy, he puts us in the right positions, and he's focused on the little details as well. He's always going to be the one to get us riled up to make a play or get takeaways. The effort he makes us do makes us push harder. That's what makes our defense stronger and a lot more communicative.”

As an upperclassman and now a seasoned cornerback, Taylor has taken on more of a mentoring role for the younger defensive backs, like Lem Wately-Neely and Christopher Keys, in the program.

“They look up to the older guys, so the older guys need to be a step ahead of them at all times just to make sure they are following the right way, the right path.” Taylor explained. “We just have to show them the right way, we can't show them the wrong way or mislead them because that will set them back. Christopher Keys and Lem Watley-Neely, they pick up quick, they learn the defense quick. They listen to us and always make sure they are on the right track. The defense fits to them and makes them play their roles right.”

Taylor has his own competitions to focus on as well. He is pretty locked in at the corner position opposite All-American Tiawan Mullen, but he will have to hold off D.J. Matthews, a transfer from Florida State for the punt return duties. Taylor was third-team All-Big Ten in 2020 as a punt returner and tallied 29 tackles, an interception and seven pass breakups in 2020.