Damien Taylor transferred from Troy to Ole Miss and right into a running backs room that is full of talented players.
Senior Ole Miss running back Damien Taylor became a Rebel through the transfer portal knowing the Rebels already had Kewan Lacy, Logan Diggs, Dominique Thomas and true freshman Shekai Mills-Knight, but that did not discourage him at all.
The 1,000-yard rusher from Troy likes a challenge, likes to compete and is enjoying his new digs at Ole Miss.
“The biggest difference between here and Troy is everything is so fast paced,” Taylor smiled. “It’s boom-bom-boom-boom-boom, rapid fire drills, rapid fire offense. You have to be alert and tuned in with this offense.
“Other than that, it’s just football. Football is football – I love it.”
Damien says he is in good shape in learning the Rebel offensive system because he is getting the proper help.
“We are a close running back room. The guys have been helping me with the system since I got here this summer,” he stated. “I am doing very well in learning the system thanks to coach (Kevin) Smith and the others RBs.
“I can tell now that camp has opened that I’m more confident in my assignments. I’m not having to think as much. I’m reacting more and more each day.”
“We have some very good backs here, but I think I’m putting myself in position to see some game action. How much will be determined in this camp and as the season rolls along,” he stated.
Taylor has some high goals, but they are team goals rather than individual goals.
“I’m thinking natty. I’m thinking we have that kind of team if we put it all together,” he closed. “We should have a very explosive offense and going against the defense every day is certainly a challenge.
“I think we are going to be very strong on both sides of the ball.”
Damien Taylor had 1,010 yards on 173 carries as a junior at Troy. He averaged 5.8 yards a carry and 7 rushing touchdowns. One of his best games came against Southern Mississippi when he rushed for 169 yards and scored 3 TDs.
The question that will not be answered until the season starts is how with coach Smith use his RBs this year? One year he used a three-headed monster. One year, he went primarily with one back.
Will he revert back to RB by committee? We shall see, but it appears he has the talent in the room to do so.
Category: General Sports
