re: Class of 2015 Recruiting MEGATHREAD - Twilight Edition

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BUZZ FROM THE CAPSTONE: JONATHAN TAYLOR’S FUTURE STILL NOT DECIDED & COACHING STAFF NEWS

Jonathan Taylor, who officially visited the Capstone on December 12th, is still awaiting word from UA

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By: AlabamaINTEL staff

December 27th, 2014

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A final decision has not yet been made by the University of Alabama in regards to allowing Copiah-Lincoln Community College defensive lineman Jonathan Taylor to enroll at the Capstone. The 6-4 340-pounder officially visited Tuscaloosa on December 12th and had a really good visit according to sources. Alabama defensive line coach Bo Davis covets the massive DL, even over East Mississippi’s D.J. Jones who first committed to Florida State in July before flipping to Ole Miss. INTEL has heard from excellent sources that Taylor would be considered the best DL on the team the moment he signed…STRONG. The one sticking point is, of course, the well-documented incident that occurred this past summer involving the former Georgia Bulldog:

From Chip Towers of the Atlanta Journal Constitution on July 23rd 2014:

Jonathan Taylor, the sophomore defensive lineman who was arrested on Tuesday on an aggravated assault/family violence charge, was dismissed from the team Wednesday afternoon, just hours after being released from jail.

Taylor was released from Athens-Clarke County Jail on a $5,000 bond at 11:45 a.m. Wednesday. His McWhorter Hall residence on the UGA campus was being packed up by 1:30 p.m. and UGA issued a news release that Taylor had been kicked off the team at 2:47 p.m. There still has been no comment from Georgia coaches or administrators.

Taylor could not be reached for comment, but his high school coach spoke on his behalf.

“That kid is struggling right now,” said Chuck Conley, Taylor’s coach at Jenkins County High School. “He has obviously stubbed his toe. Let’s let the dust settle a bit, but that kid is distraught and tore up about everything. The track record doesn’t speak highly of him, but he’s not a bad person. He’s a good person. I trust him with my life.”

Taylor was placed into the custody of UGA Police at 4:45 a.m. Tuesday in response to a third-party complaint that he had physically assaulted his girlfriend during a domestic dispute at McWhorter Hall dormitory. Police said evidence and witness accounts indicate the 6-foot-4, 340-pound Taylor “choked” and “struck with a closed fist” his 5-11, 170-pound female victim.

It was Taylor’s second run-in with the law this year. In March, he was one of four Georgia football players arrested for theft by deception after they were caught double-cashing meal reimbursement checks. Taylor had received pretrial diversion treatment on those charges, was ordered to do community service and allowed to stay on the team without facing suspension. That matter will now be revisited in State Court.

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Taylor did not do himself any favors by being an hour late to the hearing in front of the committee at Alabama that will decide his fate in terms of enrolling at the Capstone. Yet this would still have to be considered a good sign that Taylor is VERY interested in UA since he agreed to return so quickly to Tuscaloosa to meet with the committee. Also, Nick Saban sent a not so subtle message through the media during his press conference to the media in regards to Taylor when asked about D.J. Pettway’s second chance at UA, which has gone EXCEPTIONALLY well:

The latest word is no final decision has been made by the committee, though with the above plea from Saban, INTEL believes Taylor will eventually be given the green light to enroll at the University to continue his career. Taylor would have three years to play two and would be considered a likely instant starter with senior Brandon Ivory departing and the likelihood that Jarran Reed continues to play at the high level seen since his breakout performance in Tuscaloosa vs. Florida, which would lead to early entry to the NFL. Like Reed has been in 2014, he would be considered instant impact, but with a different skill set…think Terrence “Mount” Cody the sequel…stay tuned as INTEL believes this will be resolved in less than two short weeks…RTR!

Note: Should he choose Alabama as most expect over LSU & MSU, Taylor will will backcount to the 2014 class

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