Advertisement
football Edit

Taylors Take: Nothing to prove

Rivals100 running back, and Florida Gators commitment, Kelvin Taylor is in Portland, Oregon this weekend taking part in Nike's The Opening football camp. The four-star rated running back has agreed to keep a daily diary for Inside the Gators.
The following is his first entry on Wednesday night before leaving south Florida for the great northwest.
Advertisement
Being the son of former Florida and NFL great Fred Taylor has to be both a blessing and a curse. The positives are you inherited his genes and guidance as far as athletics go. But then again, you also have a built in target on your back. There are some who say you are only ranked because of who your father is or they want to show you up because of who your father is.
Taylor: "I never look it like that or pay attention to it. I try to zone out when I'm playing in a football game and concentrate on what I'm doing on the field, feeling comfortable with the football talent God has blessed me with. I know that the hard work that I've put in off the field has gotten me to where I am and I don't worry about the rest. That will take care of itself. I don't see it as I'm here just because who he is. I think it comes from all the hard work and dedication that I put in. I strive to get better every day and let everything else take care of itself. I try to stay humble, go hard and let everything else take care of itself."
Despite the fact that you blew up at the Miami Nike Camp and moved into the Rivals100, there are those who dismiss your accomplishments because you play at small school Glades Day, against competition that isn't exactly seen as the toughest. Does that leave you feeling that you have something to prove at The Opening?
Taylor: "I feel like I don't really have to prove anything to anyone. I'm just going to go out and play my game and leave the rest of it to the people who do the rankings and that type of stuff. I'm going to go out and work hard, give 100% at all times and I'll feel like I've done perfect. I know I'm a good football player and I'm all about hard work and dedication. I'll let it play out how it plays out."
If you don't have anything to prove, what's the point of traveling across the country for a football camp? Other guys your age are at the beach or sitting back and relaxing, why take a 10 hour trip out there?
Taylor: "I'm going out there to hang out with a couple of Florida commits, almost like a vacation since I've never been to that part of the country before, but I plan on going hard when I'm there. It's like a vacation, but it's not really a vacation. I'm going to have fun, have a great time, but I'm going to be going hard."
You talk about being out there with Florida commits. There are seven Gator commits participating and at least a dozen targets. What is your approach to recruiting uncommitted prospects for Florida?
Taylor: "I just tell them about the program. Look at the history and the great players who have come out of there. Florida has a great new coaching staff, Gainesville is a great college town, Florida has a crazy game day atmosphere. Florida's a great program on and off the field. I just lay that out there and let them make their own decisions."
Click Here to view this Link.
Advertisement