In his redshirt junior season under his second defensive coordinator, Shay Taylor has led a dominant Ohio defense back to the Mid-American Conference Championship game for the second time in three seasons.
This season, Taylor took on the role of captain, helping to lead the defense with an impressive stat line of 63 tackles, nine for loss, two sacks, an interception and four pass breakups.
The Post sat down with Taylor to discuss everything from Ohio’s dominant defense, Taylor’s mentors and who amongst his teammates he’d choose to start a country with.
The Post: What's your major? How did you go about choosing that?
Taylor: Psychology; (I) was originally criminology, but I switched over because I realized that I might want to be a sports therapist later on the road.
TP: What made you choose Ohio?
Taylor: It was kind of down to a couple of schools, and it was COVID going on, and with the whole transfer portal thing going on, it was kind of a no-guesser just because of how close at home it was, and both my sisters came here before so it's very close at home. It's a great program with a good coaching staff, so it was easy.
TP: Tell me a little about your hometown. Where’d you grow up?
Taylor: I grew up in a small town … called Thornville. It's cornfield surrounded, pretty much the middle of nowhere, but it's still that hometown tradition where everyone cares about the football team and respects that program, and it's a winning culture there.
TP: If you could pick three words to describe the season you're having right now, what would you choose?
Taylor: Adversity, dedication, and friendships. I mean, I think we're all close, it's the closest team I've been around the last 4 years.
TP: Pick one and the other is gone forever: movies or music?
Taylor: I have to go movies. I love movies.
TP: What’s your favorite movie?
Taylor: I’d have to say “Inception.” It’s too good, too good of a plot.
TP: You've been in Athens for 4 years now. What are some underrated spots you’ve found on or around campus?
Taylor: There are some hidden gems, they're still opening up, some new ones, which is nice. I saw a new Chipotle around East State (Street) … but the hidden gems I like are like Eclipse (Company Store). DP Dough is one that people don't really know about too much, but there's definitely some good food around here.
TP: This is a fun one. You're starting a country. You have to pick two of your teammates to act as president and vice president. You can choose yourself if you want. Who are you picking?
Taylor: I’ll pick me as president and Kadin Schmitz as my vice president. I love him. He’s our linebacker, and he’s a good dude.
TP: This is kind of your first year as the guy on defense, obviously with a lot of turnover from last year. What’s that role change been like for you?
Taylor: It’s been a blessing. I’ve had 3 years to develop under Keye Thompson and Bryce Houston, and coach Faanes has done a great job of developing his players, especially linebackers. So, it’s been a long process and a long, long stretch of hardships and injuries, and if I’m going to be good enough to play. Eventually, you get to a point where you mature, and you keep growing as a player, and I’ve just been blessed to be put in that position.
TP: Building off what you learned from Thompson and Houston, what did they teach you, and what has this newer defensive staff taught you?
Taylor: Especially with Keye Thompson, it’s just kind of his play style. He’s just very aggressive; all eyes on him as far as being the field general because he was the mike last year.
Bryce Houston was off the field. He was always checking up on you, especially the younger guys. If you're able to get in there and teach the younger guys the film and help them understand the game of football, it's a huge difference. They did a great job with that.
TP: One more question. You’re on a deserted island, and you get to bring two things with you. What are you taking?
Taylor: I’ll bring my Bible, then I’ll bring one of those water purifier things, for the ocean — you have to have your water. I’ll probably bring my dog, Millie.
