For video, pictures and 2006 stats, click here to view the profile for Tyrod Taylor
In last week’s win over Heritage, Hampton’s (VA) five-star quarterback Tyrod Taylor suffered a knee injury when he was tackled out-of-bounds. The 6-2, 200-pound signal caller had an MRI done earlier this week and the results came back yesterday. The diagnosis?…all clear.
“I had an MRI done yesterday,” said Taylor, who hit concrete when he was tackled out-of-bounds. He still accounted for three touchdowns – two running, one passing – in the game. “It showed everything it ok. It’s nothing major. I’m just sore.”
At 7-1 on the season, Hampton is playing the crucial part of its schedule. The week before Heritage, the Crabbers enjoyed a 35-10 win over arch-rival Phoebus. Hampton is on a roll, having won seven straight after losing its season opener to Indian River.
“It’s really just personnel,” Taylor said of why the team is playing so well. “Coach [Mike Smith] is playing the right people at the right spots and they are producing. It took a game to get that all set in place because we are really young. We only have five or six seniors.”
Taylor has been hitting his stride as well. In the three games prior to last week’s win, he completed 23 of 38 passes for 345 yards with three touchdowns and zero interceptions. He also rushed for 241 yards and eight scores in that span.
Taylor discussed the reason why his passing numbers improved.
“Our receivers are definitely catching the ball better,” Taylor said. “They’ve done a great job for us. What has helped me, too, is that I’ve been given the opportunity to check to plays and call some plays. That’s different than last year.”
After capturing the Division 5 state championship last season, Taylor knows what has to happen for his team to repeat.
“For me, every game stays the same. Every game is a game you have to win,” Taylor said. “We have to win [tonight] and we have to win next week. We want to get the first seed and a district title. We are hoping to make that run. We know what we have to do. We are getting better week to week. Hopefully, we can stay healthy.”
Taylor will receive a nice honor at next Saturday’s game versus Woodside. There, he will be officially chosen for the U.S. Army All-American game.
Taylor has been selected as a quarterback for the East squad. The game will take place in San Antonio, Texas, on January 6, 2007.
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Next visit to Virginia Tech
Taylor’s next visit to Virginia Tech will be for the UVa game. He may go before then, but says he definitely plans to be at that game.
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