FIVE QUESTIONS WITH C.J. TAYLOR

Catching up with Warren County’s Mr. Football after his outstanding sophomore year on Vanderbilt University’s football team.

BD NEWSLETTER: What was the major highlight of your sophomore season?

CJ #13: Definitely that Missouri play. I was gifted by God and the people behind me to get to that point in my life to make that play. It was week six, and on Monday we were doing a walk through. My coach came over to me and said, “When we blitz up the middle, the running back is going to come over and try to cut off your legs. You are going to have to get over him.” I said, “Coach, I can’t do that!” He (the running back) got me once in the game, and the second time I jumped over him.

CJ Taylor jumping over the Missouri player and knocking the ball loose from the quarterback. CJ then recovers the fumble and scores a touchdown.

BD NEWSLETTER: How did the Anchor Collective at Vanderbilt contact you about the NIL deal, and how much did you have to think about it? Are there only three Vanderbilt football players with the collective deals right now?

CJ #13: I didn’t have to think about anything. It happened after the season. I don’t know how they go about it. To my knowledge, there are only three players.

BD NEWSLETTER: You have been at Vanderbilt University for a year and half. What is the best thing about being there?

CJ #13: I guess living out my childhood dream. I have a picture on my phone screen that I can swipe to. It is a picture of me when I was little and wearing pads with my dad. I look at it every once in a while when I am struggling getting to practice, because it gets hard. When I look at that picture, it helps push me. The biggest thing about being at Vanderbilt is that I get to live out my dream.

BD NEWSLETTER: What is that dream?

CJ #13: To play in the NFL.

BD NEWSLETTER: You got banged up this past season. You had a high ankle sprain against UT and you had surgery to repair an injury on your thumb. When will you be 100% again and ready for conditioning in the offseason?

CJ #13: Hopefully I will be ready by mid-January.

BD NEWSLETTER: What are you looking forward to doing on the Christmas break in your hometown of McMinnville?

CJ #13: I cannot train at the moment. Before the surgery, my plan was to come home for a week and a half, and then go train somewhere. Right now I am just hanging out with my friends, mom and girlfriend. Soaking up all my time here before I get back to business. I go back to Vanderbilt on January 7.

BD Newsletter Final Thoughts: The NIL money is making the opportunity for CJ Taylor to play college football better. He has the opportunity now to go buy a pair of shoes if he needs them. He can make a car payment. Take his mom out to eat. He doesn’t have to worry about asking his mom for money. The NIL money is helping CJ to learn how to handle his money and focus on his education and football.

CJ made one prediction for next season that is worth remembering. He predicts that the Commodores will win at least seven football games next year.

We are thrilled that CJ is having success at Vanderbilt University and we wish him all the best in 2023!