Reynolds Getting Looks
HARRISONBURG — A decision Taylor Reynolds made as a freshman could ultimately turn into a payday following his senior season.
Through the first 11 days of preseason camp at James Madison, scouts from eight different NFL teams — the Cardinals, Dolphins, Falcons, Giants, Raiders, Seahawks, Skins and Titans — have visited practice to evaluate Reynolds.
“We’ve had teams come through and they all ask me about [Reynolds],” cornerbacks coach Tripp Weaver said.
Going into his senior season, Reynolds is a preseason STATS FCS Third-Team All-American pick and a Preseason All-Colonial Athletic Association team selection. In three years, the 6-foot cornerback has accumulated 147 total tackles and nine interceptions.
But if it weren’t for the choice he made to move from quarterback to corner in the spring of 2013, Reynolds might not have the pro prospects he does now. Reynolds said he probably wouldn’t have seen the field as quickly as he did at JMU if it wasn’t for the switch from offense to defense.
“I wanted to get on the field as soon as possible,” Reynolds said. “As a freshman, my former head coach [Mickey Matthews] told me that the quickest way to get on the field was at corner because I was an athlete.”
As a senior at Newark High School in Delaware, Reynolds passed for 1,884 yards and 23 touchdowns while rushing for 723 yards and 11 touchdowns. Reynolds said he had offers to play quarterback at other CAA programs like Delaware in his hometown of Newark as well as Richmond and William & Mary.
Reynolds said the decision to give up on playing quarterback wasn’t a hard choice. He wanted to contribute sooner rather than later at Madison.
Current JMU coach Mike Houston said in order for the Dukes new defense to thrive, he’ll need Reynolds to play multiple positions in the secondary. Throughout preseason camp, Reynolds has played corner in the base 4-2-5 scheme and nickel package.
“[Reynolds] has to be able to handle everything that we’re putting on him,” Houston said. “He’s very versatile but at the same time, he has to be able to handle it, too.”
Houston said since Reynolds has previous experience of handling all the responsibilities of a quarterback, he should be able to move from position to position around the secondary.
Reynolds agreed.
“I’m familiar with the route tree,” Reynolds said. “I’m just familiar with what quarterbacks look for in opposing defenders and I know how quarterbacks go through their progressions. It already helps me out at corner.”
At practice, Reynolds is taking a larger leadership role, according to his coaches.
“The funny thing is that he’s focused whether there are NFL scouts here or not,” Weaver said. “And when they leave, Taylor doesn’t ask ‘how do you think I did?’ He just goes out there and continues to work.”
Reynolds said the NFL scouts provide more motivation to do well, but don’t change his approach.
During individual drills and team periods, Reynolds often lines up against senior wide receiver Domo Taylor — an in-practice matchup that provided verbal back-and-forth last week.
“He’s one of the best corners that I’ve ever matched up with,” Taylor said. “His play on the field speaks for itself; so I try to take advantage of the opportunity because, honestly, getting to line up against him only gets me better.”