The Reveille is starting a new tradition this year of selecting an Athlete of the Week.

At a university where nearly every athletic program is nationally relevant, there’s never a shortage of options. There’re always electric playmakers to be found.

As LSU’s one and only student newspaper, the Reveille will be using its unique perspective to honor a standout student-athlete each week.

The inaugural Reveille Athlete of the Week is LSU football’s Mason Taylor.

The junior tight end had eight catches and 77 yards against UCLA, both of which led the team in its 34-17 win.

Three of those catches converted third downs to keep LSU’s offense on the field.

“When we need plays or it’s third down or something, something big, I can pop out and make a play,” Taylor said.

So far this season, he has 25 catches for 237 yards and a touchdown.

Taylor compiled 414 yards as a freshman and 348 yards as a sophomore with Jayden Daniels as his quarterback, and he’s on pace to surpass both marks.

Taylor is also LSU’s all-time career leader in both receiving yards and receptions by a tight end, both records he’s set in the last two weeks.

“It means a lot,” Taylor said of breaking the record. “But I just want to keep working, keep succeeding every single day. I think I’ve yet to reach my potential.”

Taylor has proven himself as a capable playmaker dating back to his freshman year, which was highlighted by a standout performance to beat Alabama where he caught both a touchdown and the game-winning two-point conversion.

He said he’s able to make those plays in big moments because he trusts in his preparation.

“As long as you trust that you’ve practiced it, you just kind of block out all the extra noise and just be confident in yourself,” Taylor said.

He’s the son of former NFL defensive end Jason Taylor, a Hall of Famer and six-time Pro Bowler. Taylor says he and his father, who’s currently the defensive ends coach for University of Miami, still get in touch after each other’s games every Saturday.

“He’ll tell me throughout the week, he’ll put my game on and watch film like he’s one of my coaches and let me know some stuff,” Taylor said.

In his career, Taylor has twice been named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll and was also a Freshman All-SEC selection in 2022.

Taylor will continue to be one of the key pieces for LSU’s offense as it continues to push for a College Football Playoff berth.