Playing in the same defensive backfield as a certain 5-foot-9-inch Heisman contender, one could be understandably overlooked.
Senior safety Brandon Taylor praised the play of sophomore defensive back Tyrann Mathieu, but Taylor’s coaches and teammates recognize his performance as integral to the team’s success.
LSU coach Les Miles said Taylor is an important veteran who is rarely out of position and continually makes key plays.
“Nobody forgets about him in our room, certainly in our building,” Miles said. “He’s not only a very fierce tackler, but he’s also a guy that understands how to cover a pass.”
Taylor started the first nine games last season but injured his foot against Alabama and missed the rest of the season. He returned this year at full strength.
Taylor led LSU against Florida with seven tackles and also had an interception and two pass breakups. This season, Taylor’s 34 tackles are second most on the team, and his two interceptions tie him for the team lead with Mathieu and junior cornerback Morris Claiborne.
Despite missing the end of last season, Taylor said there was a silver lining to his injury.
“Me getting hurt actually benefited me this year because I got to watch the game from more of a mental standpoint,” Taylor said.
Taylor said the extra time in the film room has helped him play smarter and remain “two steps ahead of the receiver running the route.”
Taylor injured his leg in the second quarter against Florida and had to come out of the game when he got tangled up with 6-foot-3, 310-pound freshman defensive tackle Anthony Johnson at the end of a play.
“That’s a lot of weight coming down on one leg,” Taylor said.
Taylor said it was just a bruise, and he was able to return to the game shortly after.
Taylor’s teammates said his performance against Florida was especially remarkable considering he came back and played after the injury.
“He wants to help this team the best he can, and he’ll sacrifice his body to do it,” said sophomore defensive end Barkevious Mingo. “I’m not sure how bad he got dinged up, but he battled through it to help his team out.”
Sophomore safety Eric Reid said Taylor is a fighter and “when he’s banged up he’s trying to get back as soon as possible.”
Reid’s sentiment applied not only to Saturday’s game against Florida, but also to how Taylor recovered from his injury last season.
“His injury last year, I heard it was supposed to be like a year-and-a-half to two-year deal coming back from that, but he was able to recover in half the time,” Reid said.
Reid said Taylor’s impact on the team is evident in practice as much as in the game.
“You wouldn’t know it was practice if you watch Brandon,” Reid said. “When I see that I try to emulate him and make sure I practice that hard because I know it will pay off in the game.”
Mingo said Taylor’s work ethic makes him a leader on the defense.
“It’s a role that he’s come in to, and he’s proven time and time again that he can lead this team,” Mingo said. “Everybody looks to him for leadership.”
 
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