Penn State Football: Garrett Taylor set for career year as senior
In recent years, a playmaking safety led Penn State football. Marcus Allen did in 2017, and Nick Scott did in 2018. This year Garrett Taylor will.
Star safeties headlined Penn State football’s defense the last couple seasons coming up with big, game-changing plays in the most colossal moments. Marcus Allen produced big-time hits that flipped momentum, leading by example and with his swagger that energized the defense.
Nick Scott moved into the starting lineup in 2018 and did much of the same, specifically the game-clinching interception against Iowa. His playing partner from this past year, redshirt senior Garrett Taylor, at strong safety could do the same in 2019.
The fifth-year senior safety is back after a breakout season. He recorded 14 total tackles in a reserve role and on special teams in his first two years but then busted out in 2018 to finish third on the team with 71 tackles, 45 of which were solo stops. He also tied for the team lead in interceptions with three and tied for third on the team in passes defended with seven.
Taylor’s more than his stats say though. He’s a player that can inspire with how he plays. A tough tackler and playmaker that falls in line with every star secondary player that’s made its way into the NFL.
The former four-star cornerback out of high school shined in his first year as a starter but that came as no surprise to VBR. The pedigree Penn State has at the safety spot set him up well before he ever started a snap on defense.
With Scott’s graduation, Taylor is one of the defense’s leaders, bringing along whoever steps in at free safety. He’s got a knack for finding the football that’s similar to Scott and Allen. Last year, two of his three interceptions came via tip drill and both were in big moments against Ohio State and Michigan State. Taylor also racked up seven or more tackles in four contests.
Next. Penn State Football: Three predictions for the 2019 season. dark
The Big Ten is moving to more spread passing games than it ever has. It’s only going to rise more and more with the quality of QBs rolling into the conference. Penn State’s safety spots are vitally important, and Taylor is vital to the success of one of college football’s best defenses. There’s no reason to expect him to not at least equal his production last year or raise it up even more so with a full-year as a starter under his belt.