By Hunt Palmer
Mason Taylor begins a new chapter this week in Mobile at the Reese’s Senior Bowl.
The most productive tight end in the history of LSU’s program and author of one of the decade’s most memorable moments is leaving his college days behind him for his future in the NFL.
On Tuesday he sat down with the Off the Bench team before practice and looked back on re-writing the LSU record book.
“I’d say it definitely was a goal of mine to make an impact at a program like LSU like this and definitely one of my dreams for sure,” Taylor said. “To be able to accomplish that is a dream come true.”
He got a fast start.
Taylor was asked to be the starting tight end after one game. He was inserted into the action against Florida State and never left the lineup.
“I didn’t early enroll, so I came in the summer so everything was kind of fast,” Taylor said of his first fall camp. “But getting adjusted felt pretty natural. Getting a shot in the first game like I did and being able to finish that game out was definitely surreal.”
Taylor spent two seasons catching passes from Jayden Daniels before the Heisman winner took the NFL by storm as a rookie.
Taylor has been preparing for his NFL future since mid-December, but that hasn’t stopped him from cheering on his former signal caller who got within one win of the Super Bowl.
“It’s insane,” Taylor said with a smile. “I’ve been following Washington the whole playoffs because of him. It’s not even surprising because I think the way he works every day and the way he dedicates his time every day is unreal.”
But Daniels isn’t the only former teammate of Taylor’s showing out at the highest level.
Brian Thomas Jr. and Malik Nabers are also finalists for Offensive Rookie of the Year
Nearly one third of Taylor’s huddle as a freshman and sophomore is up for the award. If they can do it after making history at LSU, Taylor feels like he can, too.
“Them going and balling out their rookie years is truly extraordinary,” Taylor said. “Seeing them do that and I was just playing with them for two years is definitely a confidence booster.”
Taylor has this week, the NFL Combine and LSU’s Pro Day to add to his impressive three years of production in college. Every rep at a Senior Bowl practice could be crucial to onlooking NFL scouting departments who hold Taylor’s future in their control.
Taylor, whose father Jason starred in the league on his way to the Hall of Fame, feels prepared.
“It’s just the way I was raised,” Taylor said. “It’s kind of just natural, I know it’s a big week but having confidence in myself and knowing who I am and the type of player I am, I think I’m just going to go out here and have a good time, try to have fun and just go out there and compete, show my effort and game.”
No matter what the future does present, Tayor always will cherish fond memories of his past at LSU. That, of course, includes the game-winning touchdown catch against Alabama in 2022.
He hauled in a two-point pass form Daniels in the corner of the end zone as pandemonium reigned down in Tiger Stadium.
“It’s a blur moment,” Taylor said of the catch. “Something that caliber. That team, we had a great team. Alabama was a tough team to play. It was a sold-out night in Death Valley. That speaks for itself. That game was a surreal moment, and being able to gain the trust from offensive coordinator and my quarterback to get the ball thrown to me in a moment like that was definitely surreal.”
