No question: Juco QB headed to NU
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BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star
Zac Taylor saw no reason to extend the process.
So, on Saturday afternoon, the Butler County (Kan.) Community College quarterback verbally pledged to join Nebraska's 2005 recruiting class.
"It was way too big of an opportunity to pass up," Taylor said. "Coming to Lincoln, and being around all of the tradition, seeing the fan support at the basketball game, it was pretty unreal. Actually, it's a pretty easy decision."
Taylor, a three-star prospect in Rivals.com's five-star system, was among about a dozen Husker football recruits who attended the Nebraska-Creighton men's basketball game Saturday at the Devaney Sports Center.
Soon after the game, Taylor informed Nebraska coaches of his choice. A native of Norman, Okla., the 6-foot-2, 210-pounder turned down scholarship offers from Marshall and Memphis and jumped into a Husker quarterback fray that already includes six scholarship players.
The junior college letter of intent signing period begins Wednesday. Taylor said he plans to sign on the dotted line and enroll at Nebraska in time for the start of the second semester, meaning he'll be ready for spring practice.
Nebraska coaches have promised him nothing, Taylor said.
"I wouldn't come here if I didn't think I had an opportunity to win the starting job," Taylor said. "But it's something I'll have to earn."
Atop Nebraska's quarterback depth chart is sophomore Joe Dailey, who started every game this season for the 5-6 Huskers. The New Jersey native completed 49.4 percent of his passes for 2,025 yards and 17 touchdowns, with 19 interceptions — the most an NU quarterback has thrown in one season.
True freshman Beau Davis was the only other Nebraska quarterback to see significant action this season, attempting eight passes (completing one) in a 60-point loss Oct. 9 at Texas Tech.
Harrison Beck, a four-star high school recruit from Clearwater, Fla., will join Nebraska's quarterback race in August when the Huskers begin preseason camp.
"Obviously, there's going to be very good competition," Taylor said. "But I think I'll have a great opportunity."
Taylor this season completed 65 percent of his passes for 3,000 yards and 29 touchdowns, with 12 interceptions, in leading Butler County to an 11-1 record. The Grizzlies dropped a 35-14 decision to Pearl River (Miss.) Junior College in the NJCAA championship game.
"Watching what Nebraska does on offense, it really feeds into Zac's strong points," Butler County offensive coordinator Aaron Flores said.
Hence Nebraska's recruiting pitch, Taylor said.
"The coaches told me I really fit into their offense," he said.
The son of former Oklahoma defensive back Sherwood Taylor, Zac Taylor began his college career at Wake Forest, sitting out 2002 as a redshirt before serving as Cory Randolph's backup in 2003. Taylor completed the only pass he attempted.
Taylor said he left Wake Forest in large part because the Demon Deacons were operating a run-oriented attack.
Nebraska's first contact with Taylor occurred three weeks ago, a day after its season-ending loss to Colorado. The Huskers offered Taylor a scholarship last Thursday, and Taylor arrived in Lincoln this weekend with a good idea of where he would finish his college career.
"There was no point in delaying the decision," he said.
Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.
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