The Chargers knew Brandon Taylor was a special player so it was no surprise when the team engineered a trade with Miami to move up five spots in the third round to select the former LSU Tiger with the 73rd overall pick of the 2012 NFL Draft.
Taylor grew up in Franklinton, La., the second-youngest of Curtis and Annette Taylor’s nine children. He was groomed and toughened by two older brothers, Curtis and Jhyryn, both of whom played for the Tigers. But Taylor charted his own path in football, making a challenging switch from cornerback to strong safety. His willingness to sacrifice for the team made him one of LSU’s most popular players. Before his senior season, head coach Les Miles called Taylor into his office and informed the team captain that he’d been chosen to wear the Tigers’ coveted No. 18 jersey. In a tradition that was born in 2003, the LSU coaching staff picks one player who exemplifies character and leadership to wear the No. 18 jersey each season. Chargers teammate Jacob Hester also was selected to wear No. 18 during his career in Baton Rouge. Taylor wasn’t finished there. He also had another honor bestowed upon him by teammates as he was selected to stand in the rally circle before each game to fire up the team. Both gestures were tremendous honors for the Louisiana native.
Brother, Curtis, played on LSU’s National Championship team in 2007 and was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 2008. He’s currently a reserve cornerback with the Oakland Raiders.
The Chargers knew Brandon Taylor was a special player so it was no surprise when the team engineered a trade with Miami to move up five spots in the third round to select the former LSU Tiger with the 73rd overall pick of the 2012 NFL Draft.
Taylor grew up in Franklinton, La., the second-youngest of Curtis and Annette Taylor’s nine children. He was groomed and toughened by two older brothers, Curtis and Jhyryn, both of whom played for the Tigers. But Taylor charted his own path in football, making a challenging switch from cornerback to strong safety. His willingness to sacrifice for the team made him one of LSU’s most popular players. Before his senior season, head coach Les Miles called Taylor into his office and informed the team captain that he’d been chosen to wear the Tigers’ coveted No. 18 jersey. In a tradition that was born in 2003, the LSU coaching staff picks one player who exemplifies character and leadership to wear the No. 18 jersey each season. Chargers teammate Jacob Hester also was selected to wear No. 18 during his career in Baton Rouge. Taylor wasn’t finished there. He also had another honor bestowed upon him by teammates as he was selected to stand in the rally circle before each game to fire up the team. Both gestures were tremendous honors for the Louisiana native.
Brother, Curtis, played on LSU’s National Championship team in 2007 and was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 2008. He’s currently a reserve cornerback with the Oakland Raiders.
