FAMU Taylor provides kick start

By Heath A. Smith, Tallahassee Democrat Staff Writer

When Florida A&M head football coach Rubin Carter looks back on the back-to-back winning seasons his program has enjoyed, there are a lot of people who could share in the credit.

There may be only one person Carter couldn't imagine not having, however, to help make those winning seasons possible. It's the same person Carter said may be the most mentally tough player on the team.

While some football purist may argue that kickers aren't real football players, you'll get no such argument from Carter, especially when referring to senior Wesley Taylor.

"I don't want to imagine what (the last two seasons) would have been like without him to be honest," Carter said. "It would have been a nightmare."

Perhaps no FAMU football player has made more difference-making plays for the Rattlers the past two seasons than Taylor, who handles placekicking, kickoff and punting duties for the team.

In 2005, as a sophomore, Taylor kicked a 41-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to tie 23-23 against rival Bethune-Cookman in the Florida Classic.

In overtime, Taylor kicked a 17-yard field goal that broke a three-game losing streak to the Wildcats. Oh, by the way, Taylor also led Division I-AA in punting average (45.9 yards a punt) and made the Associated Press Division I-AA All-America first team.

In 2006, Taylor kicked a game-winning 34-yard field goal against Tennessee State in overtime Sept. 30 and a 42-yard game-winning field goal in overtime against Norfolk State Oct. 21.

Taylor also kicked a 20-yard field goal in the fourth quarter against Morgan State Oct. 26 that proved the difference in a 24-23 homecoming victory against the Bears.

Taylor also kicked punts of 60 yards or more three times last season on his way to earning All-MEAC first team honors.

"He doesn't have to hit anybody to prove himself," Carter said about Taylor. "When he is called upon to seal a game for us or kick a key punt for us, we get that from him. He has shown me that he's capable of performing on a consistent level year in and year out."

What also impresses Carter about Taylor is the senior's self-motivation to stay on top of his game. When Taylor came to FAMU out of Riverview High School, place kicker Juan Vasquez and punter Damon Miller were established All-MEAC performers.

Miller and Vasquez graduated, leaving Taylor to handle all the kicking duties by himself as a sophomore. Vasquez worked with Taylor as a graduate assistant, but Taylor was basically on his own to work on his game at practices without a kicking coach.

"I call those guys on a regular basis if I have any questions," Taylor said. "I'll never forget what they taught me my freshman year. What they taught me has carried me a long way."

Carter said that even without one-on-one coaching, Taylor has been able to consistently improve his game form year to year.

"Wesley has a lot of recall," Carter said. "He doesn't make many mental errors as far as his technique and fundamentals.

"Every now and then you might have to tell him to concentrate a little bit more and follow through, but mechanically he is very sound. He goes to offseason camps for kicking and punting."

The next challenge for Taylor to work through this season is the new NCAA rule change moving the kickoff line back to the 30-yard line from the 35.

"It's a challenge, but it's something I can deal with," Taylor said. "You just have to stay mentally focused and approach it the same way you would if it was still on the 35. You have to go through the same motions and let the strength in your legs do the work."

The Rattlers have won a combined six games by less than a touchdown the past two seasons. If the Rattlers find themselves in a position to have to pull the game out late in the fourth quarter or in overtime this season, Carter is comforted by the thought of having what he calls one of the best weapons in the MEAC at his disposal.

"I feel like I'm a part of the football just like a linebacker or any other position," Taylor said. "My position on the football team is very important because field position is very important. I know the field goals I've made the past couple of years have been a big help for FAMU."