Photo Credit: Jake Roth
After tweeting multiple graphics from Virginia Tech earlier today, Illinois State grad transfer CB Devin Taylor has confirmed to us that he has committed to the Hokies. Andy Bitter of The Athletic was among the first to report the Taylor commitment.
What’s better than this? #GoHokies 🦃 pic.twitter.com/D3OHbAyVmK
— legendary (@devin_2x) August 21, 2020
OK, asked around to make sure this was actually a commitment tweet ... and it is. #Hokies add CB Devin Taylor from Illinois State. He was a third-team FCS All-American by Phil Steele last year, with league-high 19 pass breakups and five INTs. https://t.co/Jdttei7pzR
— Andy Bitter (@AndyBitterVT) August 21, 2020
Taylor had an impressive 2019 season at Illinois State with 65 tackles, 5 interceptions, and 19 pass breakups (which tied for the lead in FCS and don't include his INTs). Those impressive numbers helped Taylor earn Third Team FCS All-American honors from Phil Steele and a spot on the All-Missouri Valley Conference First Team.
Taylor is the third FCS star grad transfer and second this month that the Hokies have landed joining Youngstown State DE transfer Justus Reed and Villanova WR transfer Changa Hodge.
The addition of Taylor is a significant wrinkle to the competition for the open spot at cornerback after Caleb Farley chose to opt out and declare for the 2021 NFL Draft. Armani Chatman has been considered the favorite over Brion Murray with our previous column on the competition suggesting not to rule out Tech trying to add a late grad transfer.
Taylor is an impressive addition and should be considered a serious contender to win the job right alongside Chatman. Taylor will face some challenges trying to win a starting job at least early in the season due to the fact that he will only have a few weeks to arrive at VT, get through COVID protocols prior to being able to practice, and then learn the defense at full speed to be game ready for VT.
At minimum, Taylor boosts Tech's depth at a cornerback position needing some depth, but he clearly has the talent to make the jump from FCS to ACC and be a quality starting cornerback.
We will have more as this story develops.
