NFL Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: Isaiah Taylor, WR, Salisbury University

NFL Draft Diamonds and our staff have been bringing our readers Prospect Interviews over the past 2 years and this year we mixed up the questions and added some fun questions for our readers. We have tons of NFL staff that read our interviews, and we actually received several of the questions from NFL scouts we speak too. This gives them a little bit more information regarding your character. We hope to bring you more than 300 interviews of NFL Draft Prospects this season. You will be able to track them all on the front page of our website in the banner.

What is your name? 

Isaiah Taylor

What is your Height/Weight? 

Height: 5’11” Weight: 195 lbs.

What is your position? 

Wide Receiver

Where do you play college football? 

Salisbury University

Football is about giving back, what is the coolest thing you have done off the field? 

Leading a campus ministry, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and providing college students with opportunities to know the gospel of Christ and live out their faith on a college campus.

What was the hardest college class you ever had to take?

I wouldn’t say this class was the hardest, but the first time I took English Composition I didn’t get the grade I wanted.  I ended up re-taking the class, getting an A, and really enjoying it after some hard work.

Where are you from? 

I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY  but eventually moved to Baltimore, MD.

Who is your role model, and why? 

My mom because she has shown me how to persevere through adversity. Tim Tebow because of his boldness in professing his faith in Jesus Christ. And my coach, Reggie Ellis, who gave me a fatherly example of a Godly football player.  

Did you play any other sports growing up? 

I played basketball and ran track and field.  I placed in the MD State Championship 100m dash in high school.  

Did you play any other positions in football? 

Yes, I played quarterback, running back, linebacker, defensive back, offensive line, and defensive line.  I even used to be a punter throughout middle and high school.

At your position, what separates you from others? 

My speed and quickness, ability to make tough catches, my route-running ability, blocking and mental resilience.  

When you are breaking down film, what do you look for?

I look for coverage tendencies, defensive backs’ weaknesses and think about how I can utilize my strengths against my opponent’s defense.  

Who was the toughest player you ever faced? 

The toughest player I faced was Kyle Fuller, who now plays for the Chicago Bears.  I played against him in a 7v7 tournament in high school.  

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be and why? 

I would compare my play to Odell Beckham because of our identical hand size, similar route running ability and athleticism.  

What was the biggest obstacle in your life you had to overcome, and how did you overcome it? 

The biggest obstacle I had to overcome was when my sister was diagnosed with a respiratory virus and her lungs collapsed in the summer of 2014.  She was in ICU for four months.  I overcame it by putting my total faith and trust in Jesus Christ, that He would heal my sister.  He did, and now she is just as healthy as if it never happened.  

Do you have any pre-game rituals? 

I pray and listen to worship music.

What is your biggest strength?

I believe that my biggest strength is my unselfish and humble attitude that comes from my faith in Jesus (although I have to brag about my own humility in this interview)!

What is your biggest weakness? 

My biggest weakness is that at times I can be a little too hard on myself with an expectation of perfection.  I shouldn’t let this affect me, knowing that in the game of football you’re going to make mistakes.  

If I were a GM and gave you a second to sell yourself, what would you say? 

I would say one sentence: My integrity and character truly make me the player that I am; they just enhance the skills I’ve been blessed with.

Who was your favorite player and/or NFL team growing up? 

My favorite player was Ray Lewis because of his intensity and my favorite team is the New York Giants since I was born in Brooklyn.  

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would you choose? 

I would have dinner with Jesus, my father (who passed away when I was four) and my wife.  

What will be the first big item you buy once you are in the NFL?

I’d like to say I would buy a house first, but my ’99 Maxima may not last me that long.

Rapid Answers:

• Tupac or Biggie?  …neither
• NFL Network or ESPN?… NFL Network, for sure.
• Coke or Pepsi? … I honestly don’t drink soda 
• Pizza or Burgers? … Pizza, my wife and I especially prefer Ledo’s
• Dogs or Cats? … Dogs are a man’s best friend.