Noah Taylor excited to master one position at North Carolina

On3 imageby:Justin Rudolph07/04/22

In this college football offseason, former Virginia Cavaliers defensive star Noah Taylor transferred from the school and joined one of their biggest ACC rival program, North Carolina. The Tar Heels newest defensive weapon revealed that the reason he elected to hop in the transfer portal and find a new home had a lot to do with how he was used on the field. At Virginia, they used him at a multitude of positions. And this upcoming season at North Carolina, Taylor has an opportunity to focus and master just one.

“In transferring, the main thing I was looking forward just doing one thing,” said Taylor. “Because at Virginia, I played safety, nickel, middle backer, outside back, and d-line. I played everything there. So I really just wanted to focus on playing one position, which is exactly what Jack does. So that’s very, very interesting and very exciting. Maybe just because I know whatever it is, even if I had to play nickel, if I had to play safety like whatever the case is, I’m mastering one position.”

With Taylor having to play all over the field for the Cavaliers, it was difficult for him to affect the game to his maximum potential, and it showed. In his final season at Virginia, Taylor had 69 tackles, 28 solo, 3.5 sacks, four passes defended, and one fumble recovered. Now with North Carolina, he can settle into one role and focus primarily on that task for the game plan. And Taylor appears eager and happy to show what he is truly capable of when he can focus on a single responsibility.

Taylor discusses outside perception of North Carolina

North Carolina Tar Heels senior linebacker Noah Taylor recently landed at the school courtesy of the transfer portal. Before suiting up for the Tar Heels, Taylor played for their ACC rival, the Virginia Cavaliers. And during a recent press conference, he revealed that his perception of the school and program has completely changed now that he’s no longer on the outside.

“I’m not gonna hold back; I’m telling the truth. When I was at UVA, I did not like North Carolina, probably my most hated school,” said Taylor. “I thought everybody was spoiled, and they easily had the best talent in the ACC every single year; they just never put it together. And I’m so happy that I came, ’cause I’m seeing the transition from when I first got here. You can kind of see like this is why they were the way that they were because they were spoiled. It’s just really great to see that transition of the program that we’re building, and you know something very special coming this year.”

There may be some truth to what Taylor is saying. The Tar Heels were expected to compete for the ACC crown last season but finished with a lowly 6-7 record. That included a loss to rival South Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.