In the words of Dan Dakich, “Jonathan Taylor out of Wisconsin is an absolute freakin’ stud.”
Taylor, drafted 41st overall by Indianapolis after a trade with Cleveland, ran for 6,174 yards (second-most in Big 10 history) and 50 touchdowns in his Badger career. He holds the FBS record for 200-yard rushing games (12) and averaged at least 6.3 yards per carry in each of his three seasons in Madison. Taylor figures to produce immediately for the Colts behind one of the best offensive lines in the NFL.
Dan Dakich talked with the rookie running back about his college days and overall mindset heading into his first NFL season on Wednesday’s edition of The Dan Dakich Show.
Observation #1: Taylor believes he’ll fit right in.
“I’ve had a lot of experience in Indy,” Taylor said. “I’ve been able to play there twice. It’s a magnificent stadium. Just being somewhere where I was already familiar, it’s kinda perfect.”
“The scheme, the culture [in Indy] is similar to the culture at Wisconsin, so it couldn’t have been a better match.”
Observation #2: Taylor is mentally prepared for the task at hand.
“My mindset going in [to Wisconsin] was to come in, be a sponge, and learn every single thing so that if and when my number was called, I’d be able to get in and do my job at a high level…And that’s gonna be my mindset coming in here,” Taylor told Dan. “Especially at this level, it’s all about consistency and production so I want the coaches and my teammates to know as soon as I step foot on that field, you can count on me. You don’t have to worry about me having any mental errors or any mistakes.”
Dakich mentioned that Taylor is GM Chris Ballard’s first draftee from his alma mater.
“The city is really excited about you, man,” Dakich said to Taylor. “Because as you said, you’ve been here. You’ve played in championship games here and people have seen you. They know what you’re about, so it’s great, man. It really is. It is a perfect fit, I think in a lot of ways.”
Taylor responded:
“Without a doubt…Now I’m gonna be stepping into a stadium I’m familiar with. It won’t be anything brand new to me as far as playing in that stadium, but it’s also one of the best stadiums around the country. I actually can’t wait to go and play there and put that blue and white on.”
Expectations are high for #28, and Taylor is in a perfect position to live up to them this fall.
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