Randy Taylor sheds some light on the Takkle Top 200

Earlier this year, SI /TAKKLE teamed up with the NCSA to compile the TAKKLE Top 200 football player rankings. In this interview, TAKKLE talks with Randy Taylor to shed some more light on the list. Taylor was the former recruiting coordinator for UCLA. He currently works as an analyst and football recruiting coordinator for NCSA. Coach Taylor worked with Bob Chmiel, NCSA’s director of football operations to compile the list. Bob Chmiel was the former head recruiter at Notre Dame. Together they have recruited over 25 top 20 nationally ranked recruiting classes.

TAKKLE: How did you come up with the rankings?

TAYLOR: Coach Chmiel and I pooled our resources of over 70 years of experience in college football and developed a list of several hundred players to begin the evaluation process. From there it was a matter of grinding through video of the players on the list.

TAKKLE: What are the first things you look for in a HS football player?

TAYLOR: I always start with the feet and work my way up. For instance, footwork is important. Do they have quick feet? Can they change direction? Can they stick their foot in the ground and explode? Once the physical tools are determined it’s time to check for his football skill. Does he do the right things? Can he stick his foot in the ground and run downhill? Instincts are a huge thing. Does he see when a guard pulls and follow him? I am trying to get a sense for their basic feel for the game . Coaches in college will teach the players schemes and technique but I want to get a sense for how good their instincts are.

TAKKLE: How much do physical attributes play into rankings these players? Height, weight, 40 time, etc.?

TAYLOR: That’s a good place to start in that it helps sort out the desired measurables that scouts look for. But there is much more to look for than combine stats.

TAKKLE: What region has produced the best players this year?

TAYLOR: The southeast looks like an easy winner but that’s not unusual. Its not a coincidence that Florida, Florida State, and Miami have produced great teams over the years. And you see that with USF now too . The southeast has more skill, more everything than other regions. If you can recruit down there you will be one of the top teams every year. Texas and California are good as well. In the end, Florida produces 250-300 scholarship athletes every year. If I were to rank all the regions in order my guess would be Florida, Texas, and California in terms of producing scholarship football players.

TAKKLE: Is the hype about Matt Barkley justified?

TAYLOR: I’ve watched him since he was a freshman in high school and I believe he will be a terrific college player. Matt always seemed to have great fundamentals. He can throw over the top. He has always had good arm strength. He has good size. He uses his body to throw and he can spin it. Not too many hitches in his giddyup as they say. Matt has all the intangibles and he has had them for quite a while. That being said let’s not put undo labels and pressure on these kids as so many things can happen to a player that can sidetrack his career.

TAKKLE: On the defensive side of the ball who most impressed you?

TAYLOR: My favorite player to watch this year was Manti Te’o. He plays with such great passion and effort. Just watching him play is so much fun. He always plays hard. He loves to hit. He attacks the ball carrier and he's always around the football. They use the phrase, he plays with his hair on fire, that describes Manti. He has a tremendous passion for the game and it shows in his play and its fun to watch.

TAKKLE: Currently, you ranked Russell Shepard as the #1 prep Football Player in the country. Tell us more about him.

TAYLOR: Russell is kind of a hybrid player with dynamic play making ability. He can influence the outcome of a football game with both his feet and his arm. The reason we picked Russell as the number one player is because he can do so many things well. Russell Shepard can throw and he can run. He’s not a big kid but he will put weight on as he gets older. He can help you win games in a variety of ways. It’s his athleticism that really set him apart.

TAYLOR: What player most surprised you when coming up with the rankings?

TAKKLE: Marlon Brown was probably the guy that surprised me the most. For a young man of his size I was surprised to see how much wiggle he has. My first impression was that I was watching a much smaller running back. He plays a few positions. He is primarily a receiver but lines up as a running back at times. He catches the ball. He can run. He is 6’4’ and can change direction. He moves really well. It’s unusual for someone that size to move that well. He is a fun player to watch.

TAKKLE: In a few years, what players will we be watching on Sundays?

TAYLOR: There’s many but the first guy I think of is Devon Kennard. He has tremendous physical skills to go with a motor and an apparent urgency to get to the ball off the edge. He attacks the ball carriers .He uses his hands very well. He seems to really love to play the game. He hits hard and with athleticism. He’s like a lion attacking a gazelle. Unfortunately, he tore his ACL and is out this year. He should bounce back and do well in college.

TAKKLE: What players do you think are going to take the biggest leap this year?

TAYLOR: Barring any unforeseen circumstances of course, Jamarcus McFarland, a defensive tackle from Lufkin, Texas and Trent Richardson, a running back from Escambia High School in Pensacola, Florida are players I see moving up on the list. The more I’ve seen of Jamarcus the more I really, really like him. Same thing with Trent Richardson – the more video I see the more impressed I am. He’s more of an every down back. Those are two guys that will move up in the rankings when we re-evaluate the list.

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