DeSoto’s state championship run of 2016 was unique in multiple facets: it was the first time the Eagles claimed the title, and the alumni outpouring was immense. From Zach Orr and Dontre Wilson to Corey Borner, DeSoto alumni were out in force to support the Eagles. Baylor linebacker Taylor Young was no different.
At Big 12 Media Days, he recalled the fateful day, which happened to fall on the same day as his graduation. “I had to watch it on TV,” Young said. “I’m telling you, my daddy had to calm me down and tell me, ‘you’re not going to the game’. It was like, ‘your family came down, you’re gonna eat with your family, and you’re gonna watch the game on TV.”
So, the All-Big 12 linebacker wasn’t able to be there in person. He still felt every scrap of emotion from the victory. “It was a great experience, just to see them finally get that state ring,” said Young, who was proudly wearing a Big 12 Championship ring of his own. “For them, they were happy, guys were crying tears, stuff like that. It was a little bittersweet for me for me, just because I wasn’t able to do it, but you know, I feel like that father that, you know, whose kid is that guy and I’m living through them.”
“I feel every bit of that happiness for them, because it’s a great deal for them.”
Young wasn’t able to capture a state title for himself, even though he was a first team All-State performer. He was a part of great playoff runs for the Eagles and made history at Baylor by being a part of the first ever Big 12 Championship the Bears won.
Over the years, he’s improved his reads and alignments the most while at Baylor. “Being able to read not only the line, but the backers as well. Just being able to do that has been an awesome thing for me to be able to react a little bit quicker…Every little step counts in whether or not you get over that guard or not.”
The Bears kick their season off against Liberty on September 2nd and the DeSoto Eagles will kick off the day before against Dallas Jesuit.
Brought to you by:
