NFL DraftProspect Interviews

NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Lane Taylor, DB, Lamar University

Lamar defensive back Lane Taylor is a playmaker that has everything you want in defensive back. He will tackle you, he is a ball hawk and he has speed/height. This kid is a gamer!

Player Profile:

  • Lane Taylor
  • Lamar University
  • DB
  • 6’0”
  • 195lbs.
  • Dallas, TX
  • Twitter: @LaaneTaaylor

2018 Statistics:

  • GP: 12
  • Total Tackles: 93
  • TFL: 3.0
  • Sacks: 1.0
  • INTs: 2
https://youtu.be/DU0yVyLQUOY

What is your favorite song to listen to prior to competing?

My all time favorite song to listen to prior to a game would have to be Lil Wayne – Oh Let’s Do It.

How would your teammates describe you as both a player and person?

Well my senior year my fellow teammates voted me as a Team Captain so I would presume they would describe me as a leader with contagious energy. I am the type of player and person who approaches any challenge, practice or obstacle with a positive mindset and I try to bring that energy everyday through out all aspects of my life.

How do you and your teammates make practice and film study fun?

Personally, I am a film junkie. If I’m not getting treatment or at practice, I’m in film study. I don’t think there is a way to just make it fun, but I’ve learned to find enjoyment in dissecting film. The real fun is when it translates to the field. Practice is always fun, I was not supposed to be in the position I was in at Lamar, so I showed up to practice everyday feeling blessed and thankful for just being there. So I did not need any extra motivation to make practice fun (music always adds more fun though).

When you are studying film, what is your main focus to gain a competitive advantage?

I would say my main focus would be the analytics that come from formation recognition. I would say knowing what play or few plays that come out of a certain formation would give me the best opportunity when trying to gain an advantage. Also studying player tendencies or alignment tendencies gave me big advantages when knowing what plays or routes were about to come.

While at the Collegiate level, who has been the toughest player you have competed against?

I would say Davion Davis from Sam Houston State was the toughest player I had to guard. He is an All-American who is a technician with routes and a wide receiver with the speed and hands to be great.

For what in your life do you feel most grateful?

I feel most grateful for my Father and Mother. They have supported me since day one when I was a 135 lb freshman in High School with dreams of playing at the collegiate level. Even though my parents are separated they always put me first, never missing a game and giving me every opportunity to be as good as I could possibly be. They are the reason I’m in the position I’m at today, and I couldn’t be more grateful for them.

If you could wake up tomorrow having gained one quality or ability, what would it be?

If I could wake up tomorrow and have gained one quality or ability it would be to run a 100 meters under 10 seconds. Very few people in the world can do that and to have top world class speed would elevate an athlete’s game to a whole new level.

What do you value most from your Collegiate experience?

The most valued experience from College has to be the brotherhood you create with your teammates. There is nothing like grinding out some blood, sweat, and tears with your teammates. The relationships I have made over the past four years will be something I will hold on to for the rest of my life, and I am so grateful for everyone who I have met along the way.

Who is your personal hero?

My personal hero has to be my mother and father. I know the question is asking for one, but I just can’t do that. I was raised by a single mom until I was 13, I have never seen a woman or man so strong and dedicated to provide everything plus more for me and my sister. She taught me how to keep pushing even if you don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, stay positive and never give up and something good will happen. I moved in with my father right before high school and he is the most responsible and disciplined man I have ever met. With out my father being in my life I do not know where I would be today. I saw a man with no college degree work his ass off to provide for me and my sister, for the last 20 years. I have never met someone more dedicated to my success than my father, he would travel to any depths to see me happy and successful and I could not be more grateful for his influence in my life. That is why both of my parents are my hero’s.

Tell me something about yourself nobody would know.

I am double jointed in both of my hands.

How do you work on yourself?

I work on myself by attending church and reading scripture daily. I try to make time to not use any technology or social media and try to reflect on the positive things in my life.

If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?

If I could have dinner with anyone in the world I think it would have to be Ed Reed. He is the best safety to ever put on cleats in my opinion. I would want to have dinner with him because I would hope he would give me insight and words of wisdom on how to become a great like he was.

If you could have any superpower, what power would it be and why?

If I could have any super power it would be the ability to fly. It is basic, but I wat to travel the world and who wouldn’t want to have the ability to go anywhere you wanted at any time you wanted.

What would constitute a perfect day for you?

A perfect day for me would be waking up in Colorado somewhere on a mountain with soft deep snow and hitting the slopes all day. Then coming back to the cabin where some hot cookies and massage were waiting on me. Then finishing out my night with some Madden on the xbox.

Who inspired you as a young athlete?

When I was growing up as a young athlete I would say LaDainian Tomlinson. We had the same initials and as a kid I thought that was so cool. We also played the same position when I was a kid so he was my favorite football player.

What are the positive attributes that you bring to a professional football team?

I bring attributes such as discipline, leadership, and work ethic. After a minor injury at JUCO I was unable to play a lot of the season and ended up having to walk on at Lamar. By the time I left Lamar I was a two-year starter and on full scholarship as a Team Captian. I pride myself on being the hardest worker that I have ever met, and I wake up everyday looking to get better than the day before. I have never been late to any meeting or practice and never missed anything throughout my entire collegiate career. I think even as an underclassman I always pride myself as handling everything like a vet would.

Tell me about a time where you overcame a challenge.

As previously mentioned, I sustained a minor injury during my 1 year at Jr College. I had sprained my PCL and MCL the very first game of my JUCO career. Dealing with it all season I was unable to really ever play and be at 100%. Not knowing what I was going to do or what college would take a chance on me I was filled with a lot of self-doubt, and I was at one of the lowest points in my life. Instead of worrying about what I didn’t accomplish in the season or what might not happen, I just ducked my head down and started training as hard as I could on the field, in the weight room, and even in the class room, I just wanted to be the best me I could possibly be. After months of training in silence and not having any answer to tell family and friends of what I was going to do, my prayers were finally answered. Lamar saw me during a spring practice, gave me an opportunity, and the rest is history.

What one skill would you like to improve on? What’s your plan for doing so?

One skill that I would like to improve on that probably isn’t thought of that highly as skill is being flexible. Flexibility has always been something I have struggled with and I have been making major strides as my pro day is approaching becoming way more flexible than I have ever been. I have done so by stretching daily and making it an important part of my daily routine.

If you could intercept any NFL QB, past or present, who would it be and why?

Tom Brady would be the one QB of all time I would love to intercept because he is the GOAT, and who doesn’t want to intercept the greatest QB of all time?

What current/former NFL player do you model your playing style after?

I would compare my playing style close to the current Cowboys safety Xavier Woods. We are similar in height and weight and he plays very aggressive with a lot of technique and always give great effort. I think our playing styles are very similar.

What is the best part of your hometown; Dallas, TX?

The best part about Dallas has to be the food and sports. I’ve grown up here in Dallas my whole life, so I love me some Mavericks Basketball and some Cowboy football. Also `1q2 n the food out here is unbeatable.

In 15 words or less, give me your pitch to an NFL GM on why you should be a part of their organization.

My work ethic and leadership skills will be undeniable and contagious to any organization.

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