Photo: 247Sports
The relationship between Tennessee and Alontae Taylor has had its ups and downs, but the Manchester, Tennessee native will officially be wearing orange next season.
The No. 5 player in the state per 247Sports committed to the Vols in the summer, but decommitted after Butch Jones was fired. It seemed as though schools like Georgia, Notre Dame and Wake Forest were in the lead to sign Taylor, but Jeremy Pruitt made him a priority after being hired and Taylor recommitted to the Vols on December 13th.
Not only did he recommitt, but Taylor has been actively helping Tennessee court fellow recruits on and off social media, and is even stopping by his new teammates’ signing days.
.@TaeTaylor6 alongside his new teammate @TannerAntonnuti @Vol_Football @EnsworthTigers @FOXNashville Tae making the rounds today! pic.twitter.com/xGbtmEQadw
— Paul Jones (@PaulJonesNBC5) December 20, 2017
Taylor was recruited to play a variety of different positions to several schools, but is listed as the No. 23 wide receiver in the country and is expected to play that position for the Vols. In his senior season at Coffee County High School, Taylor reeled in only 11 receptions for 256 yards and a touchdown, but he was fairly busy making plays in other positions. Taylor rushed for 1,409 yards and 21 touchdowns this past season, and tacked on 391 yards and three touchdowns through the air as well. He ends his high school career with 6,666 all-purpose yards, and contributed all four years as a defensive back.
Taylor is a versatile playmaker with blazing speed and the ability to make defenders miss, and offensive coordinator Tyson Helton should be able to use him all over the field right off the bat. Taylor will wear the number six at Tennessee.
