Taysir Mack Might Be IU’s Next Big Threat

Written By Evan McShane (@veryresonable)

Redshirt freshman wide receiver Taysir Mack experienced a breakthrough of his own on Saturday, October 7th in Indiana’s win against Charleston Southern. Mack burst onto the scene with seven receptions for 111 yards and two touchdowns. On his 45-yard touchdown, Mack showed off his speed and explosiveness. He averaged nearly 16 yards per receptions, proving to be a reliable target for fellow redshirt freshman, quarterback Peyton Ramsey. Mack adds another electrifying dimension to this already outstanding Hoosier receiving corps. Taysir Mack spoke of his own play after practice on Tuesday, “I feel like I did a good job. I mean, there’s always room for improvement – just being precise with the details.” Humble and hungry for more, Mack is thrilled to finally show what he can do.

Mack understands how important the little things are to success at the Big Ten level. “The details are what separates the good from being great, so that’s something we all could work on.” Taysir Mack starred in Brooklyn, New York at Grand Street Campus High School. As a senior in 2015, he was named the All-Brooklyn Player of the Year and the top wide receiver prospect in the state of New York. Not without struggles, Mack has handled being far away from home well thanks to great support from his family. In fact, his mother wouldn’t stop calling him during the game because she was so excited about his play. “Yes, my mom called me at halftime,” Taysir explained with a laugh, “I was like ‘Ma, I can’t talk right now, but I’ll call you back.’” Mack’s family is just as excited about this opportunity as Taysir is. “I definitely talk to my family; they were just excited,” Mack said proudly, “They recorded my first touchdown, and it was up on the internet before I even knew it.” If he continues to play like this, Taysir Mack’s fan club is about to expand well beyond his family.

Mack tried to soak up as much information during his redshirt year as possible. Working alongside fellow classmate Peyton Ramsey could bode well for Mack’s future. “Me and Peyton connected a lot throughout scout. We got to know each other. He got to know how I like to break off certain routes. I got to know his strengths.” Mack explained the most important thing a wide receiver and his quarterback can do is build chemistry. Last year they were lighting up the scout team. This year, Peyton Ramsey and Taysir Mack are lighting up college football teams. “Having a quarterback as good as Peyton – just him being able to be mobile in the pocket and moving around – it keeps a lot of options open.” Mack continued describing what it’s like to play with an elusive quarterback: “When he does break it (the pocket), we are told to turn around, block the nearest man; or if he breaks toward the sidelines we do something called the scramble drill.” Asked how he and Ramsey communicate during scramble drills, Mack said it revolves around “a lot of gestures” combined with a instinctual feel for the game.  

Taysir knows not to get hung up on the success from one game. He was thrilled to make the most of his chance, and now he wants to build upon it. “Now it’s time for me to step it up. I can’t take a step back.” Mack continued, “Now that everyone [has] seen what I am capable of doing, it’s time to elevate my game and take it to the next level.” Taking his game to the next level means replicating the success he had against Charleston Southern next weekend against Michigan. “These corners from Michigan, they like to play hands-on, they try to get physical with you.” Mack described in further detail, “We are working right now on being physical at the point of release.”

Mack acknowledged that no single game should be bigger than the other. Each game should be prepared for and focused on the same. That’s how a team yields the most consistent results. “I feel like the reason why we should have that edge and competitive spirit is because it’s the next game, not because it’s Michigan.” Mack eloquently stated, “We should attack every team as if it’s the best team because we want to be our best selves each game.” Mack handled his success with the kind of maturity you hope to see out of a redshirt freshman. He’s grown leaps and bounds since coming to Bloomington, and now, Taysir Mack looks to wreak havoc on Indiana’s upcoming Big Ten foes.