Sean Taylor's younger brother to make collegiate debut on Saturday originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
Gabe Taylor, the 19-year-old brother of former Washington safety Sean Taylor, will make his collegiate debut this Saturday as Rice University opens up its season against Middle Tennessee.
He only played one season in high school (on Sean Taylor Memorial Field at Gulliver Prep just outside of Miami), but Gabe has already followed in his older brother’s footsteps as a hard hitting safety. While Sean’s legacy leaves some big shoes to fill, Gabe understands that and embraces the challenge.
“Oh, there’s for sure pressure right now,” Gabe told Jake Russell of the Washington Post. “I always wanted pressure my whole life. I’m not going to shy away from it.”
After focusing on basketball his first three years at Gulliver Prep, Gabe turned his attention to the gridiron for his senior season and instantly impressed. Ten interceptions (including five he returned for touchdowns) were enough to get Rice to notice him, and the coaches are already pleased with what they have seen out of the younger Taylor.
“The ball loves him,” Rice head coach Mike Bloomgren told the Washington Post. “I don’t know how else to say it. He is around the freakin’ ball. His anticipation of things is out of sight. He’s a really good safety that sees the game, especially for his lack of experience playing it. He sees the game and feels the game so incredibly well.”
This November will mark 13 years since the tragic murder of Sean Taylor shocked the entire country, especially in Miami and Washington. Sean is a member of the Washington Football Team’s Ring of Fame, and just last month the franchise named a road outside of FedExField “Sean Taylor Road.” Thanks to the love the area showed his family over the years, D.C. still holds a place in Gabe’s heart over a decade later.
“I love the fans in Washington,” Taylor said. “They always show love. They say they want me to come play for them. Hopefully that comes one year.”
That road begins this weekend, as Gabe Taylor looks to make a name for himself at Rice University.
