LB Taylor loves to hit, commits to Vols

Tennessee secured its 15th commitment of the 2010 signing class when Michael Taylor said he would play for the Vols.

The linebacker from Westlake High School in Atlanta picked UT over several schools, including Alabama, Georgia and LSU.

He watched UT’s practice Saturday with his parents at Neyland Stadium during an unofficial visit.

“I’m very excited about my decision,” Taylor told Scout.com.

Taylor said his instincts are a primary strength of his game.

“I have good instincts and I can get to any play,” the 6-foot, 200-pounder said. “I move well and I love to hit. I love contact and running through people. I’m not afraid to go into anything. I want to work on shedding blockers and get my upper body even stronger. I’m also working on my technique.”

UT coaches Lance Thompson and Ed Orgeron recruited Taylor. Taylor hopes to graduate in December and enroll at Tennessee in January.

Taylor registered 160 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, eight forced fumbles, five sacks and three fumbles recoveries as a junior in 2008.

Scout recruiting analyst Chad Simmons, spoke highly of UT’s newest commitment.

“Taylor is a linebacker that plays at a high speed and a high level of intensity,” according to Simmons. “He has a nose for the ball and he is constantly in on plays from sideline to sideline.

“He plays low, he has very good tackling form, and he delivers a lot of pop when making plays. He needs to work on not letting (offensive linemen) get their hands on him and dropping back into coverage. Middle (linebacker) is the ideal spot for him.”

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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