Clemson and NC State likely will be two of the finalists for 2024 WR Alex Taylor (6-2 175) of Greensboro, NC when he gets around to identifying a short list. Last weekend Taylor was in Raleigh and saw the Wolfpack down Florida State. The prior weekend he was at Clemson and saw the Tigers defeat State in a battle of top ten teams.
“The visit was great. It was my first time being there for a game, so the atmosphere there was crazy,” Taylor said. “Close to a sold-out crowd I think, and the team got out with the W in a top ten matchup. It was amazing to see as well that offense do what they had to do to win. They’ve been exploding the past week, so that’s exciting to see as well.”
Taylor is no stranger to Clemson receivers coach Tyler Grisham. The two first connected at a Clemson camp last summer, and Grisham has been in pursuit ever since.
“First time he saw me in real life for the Clemson camp in June, he was telling me I reminded him of a young Tee Higgins,” Taylor said. “He said I’m a guy that can come in and immediately play if I work and have a chance to make some big-time plays.”
Taylor zeroed in on the Clemson receivers during the NC State game, and he was most interested in how Grisham worked his players in and out of the game.
“Definitely he’s going to play the best guys,” Taylor said. “Two true freshmen have been getting a lot of playing time, Antonio Williams and Adam Randall. He’s going to play the best guys and give them chances to make plays when they are in the game. Adam Randall, he got in and I watched him a lot because I play outside as well as him. They gave him some chances. Beaux Collins and Joe Ngata as well, giving them 50-50 balls, slant and go balls. I just love how he lets the receivers work.”
Auburn just offered Taylor, and he also has on his list offers from Coastal Carolina, Duke, Penn State, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, West Virginia, North Carolina, Missouri and Appalachian State, along with Clemson and NC State. He’s still evaluating the schools, but he confirmed Clemson will be on that short list when he gets around to it.
“I don’t really have a list right now, but they are definitely one of my top schools that I’m looking at,” Taylor said. “I love how they have a family atmosphere, and they made me feel like a priority when I was there so, I’m really loving Clemson right now.”
This weekend Taylor will be at Virginia Tech. He’s also been to games at Duke and North Carolina along with his stops at Clemson and State. He does plan to get back to Clemson for the Syracuse, Miami or USC game. As he makes these visits. he’s looking to see which school can deliver what he most wants out of his college experience.
“A place where I can develop as a receiver and as a man,” Taylor said. “Somewhere that can get me to the next level, but also has a winning culture, a winning atmosphere and a place that feels like home to me.”
Through seven games this season, Taylor has 35 receptions for 542 yards and 7 touchdowns. For his career, Taylor has 82 catches for 1266 yards and 14 touchdowns according to MaxPreps.
