Football: Meet Ohio linebacker Shay Taylor

In his redshirt junior season under his sophomore defensive coordinator, Shay Taylor led a dominant Ohio defense back to the Mid-American Conference Championship game for the second time in three seasons.

This season, Taylor took on the role of captain and helped lead the defense with an impressive stat line of 63 tackles, nine tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception and four pass breakups.

The Post sat down with Taylor to discuss everything from Ohio’s dominant defense to Taylor’s mentors to the teammates he would form country with.

The post: What is your major? How did you go about making the selection?

Taylor: Psychology; (I) originally studied criminology, but changed because I realized I might want to become a sports therapist later.

TP: Why did you choose Ohio?

Taylor: It was kind of at a couple of schools, and there was COVID going on, and given the whole transfer portal thing, it was kind of a no-brainer, just because of the proximity to home and because of both my sisters came here before, so is it’s very close to home. It’s a great program with a good coaching staff, so it was easy.

TP: Tell me a little about your hometown. Where did you grow up?

Taylor: I grew up in a small town… called Thornville. It’s surrounded by cornfields, basically in the middle of nowhere, but there’s still that hometown tradition where everyone cares about the football team and respects that program, and there’s a winning culture there.

TP: If you could choose three words to describe the season you are having, what would you choose?

Taylor: Adversity, dedication and friendships. I mean, I think we’re all close, it’s the closest team I’ve been with in the last four years.

TP: Choose one and the other is gone forever: movies or music?

Taylor: I have to go to the cinema. I love films.

TP: What is your favorite film?

Taylor: I would have to say “Inception.” It’s too good, too good an act.

TP: You have been in Athens for 4 years now. What underrated places have you found on or around campus?

Taylor: There are some hidden gems that are still being uncovered, some new ones, which is nice. I saw a new Chipotle near East State (Street)…but the hidden gems I like are like Eclipse (Company Store). DP dough is something that people don’t really know much about, but there’s definitely some good food here.

TP: That’s fun. You found a country. You must select two of your teammates to serve as President and Vice President. You can choose yourself if you want. Who do you choose?

Taylor: I will elect myself as president and Kadin Schmitz as my vice president. I love him. He’s our linebacker and a good guy.

TP: This is, so to speak, your first year as a defender, of course with a lot of fluctuations compared to last year. What was this role change like for you?

Taylor: It was a blessing. I had three years to develop under Keye Thompson and Bryce Houston, and Coach Faanes did a great job developing his players, especially the linebackers. So it’s been a long process and a long, long time full of hardships and injuries and if I want to be good enough to play. There comes a point where you mature and develop as a player and I was just lucky enough to be put in that position.

TP: Building on what you learned from Thompson and Houston, what did they teach you and what has this newer defensive staff taught you?

Taylor: Especially with Keye Thompson, it’s just his style of play. He’s just very aggressive; As a field general, all eyes are on him because last year he was the microphone.

Bryce Houston was off the field. He always looked out for you, especially the younger boys. If you can teach the younger ones about film and help them understand the game of football, it makes a big difference. They did great.

TP: Another question. You are on a deserted island and are allowed to bring two things with you. What are you taking?

Taylor: I bring my Bible, then I bring one of those ocean water purifiers – you have to have your water. I’ll probably bring my dog ​​Millie.

@LoganPAdams

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