Giving up 48 points to Utah on Saturday, there was not much going right for the WVU football defense. But there was one bright spot – the performance of a young defensive back that had not received a lot of snaps throughout the first three games, but made a big impact on Saturday as he got some significant playing time.
Cornerback Nick Talyor was one of the few bright spots on the WVU defense on Saturday. The Appalachian State transfer finished the game with eight total tackles (four solo tackles) and one interception on Saturday. Taylor also had a hit on Utah running back Wayshawn Parker that was heard clearly and loudly on the broadcast, and even got the attention from Baylor legend Robert Griffin III, one of the Fox commentators.
Taylor finished the game with an 80.4 grade according to Pro Football Focus. (PFF). Taylor’s 80.4 grade was the highest grade earned on either side of the ball for the Mountaineers.
""It felt amazing, it was kind of like a childhood dream coming true...I felt like that game, I was able to prove myself," Taylor said during Tuesday's weekly football press conference.
"I feel like I did alright. I had a couple of missed tackles, and I can clean that up."
The Appalachian State transfer and Atlanta, Georgia, native has earned more of a role on this Zac Alley defense. Going into the West Virginia Mountaineers' next game on Friday in Provo, Utah against BYU, the Mountaineers need to start finding answers on the defensive side of the ball, and they need to find answers fast because if they do not, they will only continue to face tough Big 12 offenses.
Taylor is listed as a cornerback, but saw most of his action at safety on Saturday. If he is moved into a starting role at corner, the likely option that Taylor would replace would be either Jason Chambers or Michael Coats Jr. Chambers and Coats Jr. earned grades of 67.0 and 62.0, respectively. Neither had great games, but not many WVU defenders did have great games. But they also might opt to keep the young defensive back at safety, if they thinks he's taking to it.
"I'm going back-and-forth depending on where they need me. Sometimes I play corner, sometimes I play nickel, sometimes I play safety," Taylor said.
One thing is for certain: Taylor played his way into earning more minutes on this WVU defense. Is he going to be the reason that this defense allows opponents to score less? Taylor will not be the only reason, but better secondary play will help the defense start to perform at a better level. After four games, the Mountaineers are allowing 32.5 points per game on average. That ranks the WVU defense as the 105th defense in points per game.
Putting Taylor in the starting lineup will not solve all the problems that are attached to the WVU defense. However, after his game on Saturday, Taylor has earned the right to more snaps.