Safety Taylor tackles new role in defense

Spring practice was one day old when safety Cooper Taylor got called to a meeting with defensive coordinator Dave Wommack.

Taylor didn’t receive a scolding. He got a new position, the “Wolf.”

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Johnny Crawford/jcrawford@ajc.com

Safety Cooper Taylor will be filling the role of ‘Wolf’ in Tech’s defense, a cross between safety and linebacker.

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“Wolf” is a cross between safety and linebacker. Tech started using it last year instead of playing three true linebackers or five true defensive backs.

Linebacker Tony Clark filled the role last season, when it was called “Husky.” Indications are Tech plans to use it more this year to take advantage of Taylor’s unique skills.

And why not?

The rising sophomore followed up an outstanding freshman season by dedicating himself to offseason workouts. His legs have gotten much stronger, and he was recently clocked at 4.38 in the 40, fastest on the team. His vertical jump increased five inches, to 38-1/2.

The “Wolf” must be able to cover a variety of receivers, take on blockers and stop the run, and blitz off the edge.

“I think it fits him,” coach Paul Johnson said. “I think that’s probably a keeper. He’s kind of a hybrid.”

The 6-4 Marist product had bulked up to 205 pounds before the coaches’ runs; now he’s around 200. He hopes to play at 215 this fall.

“I’m loving it right now, learning a new position,” he said. “I’m still picking it up.”

Taylor said the biggest challenge is mastering zone coverages from a starting stance near the line of scrimmage. He has to “feel” pass routes behind him.

“Before everything was in front of me,” he said. “I could break up on it, see it, read the routes. But now somebody could be breaking behind me and I’ve got to be able to feel that, work with it. That could be my guy in the hole behind me.”

Safety Mario Edwards and linebackers Anthony Barnes and Malcolm Munroe also could be used in a similar capacity.

Wommack said moving Taylor to “Wolf” made sense for lots of reasons.

“Cooper is getting a little bigger, he’s pretty rangy, and he’s been a pretty decent tackler for us,” Wommack said. “We can bring him off the edge and blitz him because of his speed. We’re just experimenting with it. Hopefully he can do it.”

The Jackets are in good shape at safety with All-American candidate Morgan Burnett and Dominique Reese, plus youngsters Kamaron Riley and Brandon Leslie. Taylor, however, could return to safety in case of an injury.

Despite starting just three games, Taylor made a big impact as a true freshman.

He ranked second on the team with 69 tackles, 45 solo.

Few Jackets have played better in their first starts.

In Tech’s 31-28 home win over Florida State, Taylor had a team-high 10 tackles and returned an interception 28 yards. With less than a minute left and FSU fullback Marcus Sims barreling toward the goal line, Taylor put his helmet on the ball and corner Rashaad Reid recovered the fumble in the end zone. The game-saving play featured two true freshmen.

As the “Wolf,” Taylor will be asked to stuff the run consistently.

“It’s a little more physical than safety,” Wommack said. “That will be the biggest thing.”