Texas wide receiver has potential

When receiver Zachary Taylor made his verbal commitment public on Monday and signed with the University of Arkansas football program, the Hogs landed an athlete with a lot of potential.

Taylor, a 6-foot-4, 175-pound native of Yoakum, Texas, was originally destined for Army, but a conversation with Razorback coach Sam Pittman last Wednesday changed that. He received a scholarship from Pittman and signed with Arkansas a day later.

Taylor is a late addition to Arkansas' 2024 class and the third receiver in the class. He plans to report to Fayetteville today to begin classes for the first summer session on Tuesday while also participating in offseason workouts.

During his official visit to Fayetteville on Monday and Tuesday, he and his parents were able to tour his future home.

Yoakum coach Bo Robinson said Taylor has undeniable talent and speed

“Maybe he can even play cornerback, I don't know,” Robinson said. “He's a great kid. A good Christian. He's going to do everything right and he's a smart kid. I think he's going to develop into a really good receiver if they let him play there.”

Taylor played quarterback and completed 90 of 160 passes for 1,376 yards and 15 touchdowns while throwing 9 interceptions as a senior for the Bulldogs. He also ran 91 times for 342 yards and had 6 touchdowns with a long of 76 yards.

His father, Roderick, was the head coach at Del Rio High School from 2019-2022 before joining the Yoakum staff.

The younger Taylor was a two-year starter at Del Rio, being named district newcomer of the year as a sophomore and first team all-district as a junior.

Robinson said Taylor also played basketball and excelled as a track coach for Yoakum.

Taylor ran electronic times of 10.44 seconds in the 100 meters and 21.33 seconds in the 200 meters at the Altair Rice Swamp Relays on March 28.

He ran a leg for Yoakum's 400 relay team that won the Class 3A state title in May, reporting a split time of 10.25 seconds.

Taylor also ran a leg of the 800-meter relay, placing second at the state championships.

“He was the final runner in both of our short relays at the state championships, won the sprint relay and took second place in the 4×200,” Robinson said. “He can compete.”

The quarterback position likely hurt Taylor's recruitment with college coaches, who apparently placed him elsewhere at the next level.

Robinson still shakes his head at recruiters' lack of interest in Taylor's talent.

“I was stunned that nobody else was recruiting him. But the transfer portal and the way things are today, people are going to try to get a known quantity,” Robinson said. “They're not going to try to do that with kids very often and I guess Arkansas had a need. I think it's going to work out well for him.”

Email Richard Davenport at [email protected]

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Highlights from Zachary Taylor

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