79 Days To K-State Football: Keenan Taylor Player Preview

Nov 12, 2011; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats offensive lineman Keenan Taylor (79) and teammate Clyde Aufner (75) wait for action to resume during a 53-50 win over Texas A&M

For our next installment of the 100 day countdown to kickoff against North Dakota State University, 79 is the number of days left until kick-off at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. 79 is also the number worn by offensive lineman Keenan Taylor, a critical component of the Collin Klein/John Hubert rushing machine that went for almost 2,000 combined yards rushing in 2013.

Taylor returns to help anchor what should be the league’s best offensive line as a second year starter. Standing at 6’4” and 290 lbs, he was a three-star recruit out of Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa, OK and ranked the #33 best player in Oklahoma by Rivals.com. Taylor’s parents, Anthony and Chequita Taylor, were blessed with a couple incredible football players as Keenan’s brother was a center at the University of Tulsa. He appeared in all 13 games his redshirt freshman year with some work as a reserve lineman although primarily on special teams. He became an integrated member of the line in 2011 when he started against Eastern Kentucky as a redshirt sophomore and played in 12 games total.

Taylor moved into the starting line up his junior year in 2012 and returns as a senior to anchor the right guard position between center BJ Finney and right tackle Tavon Rooks. With a new quarterback under center and greater workload expected of John Hubert, he’ll be tantamount in opening one of Hubert’s favorite places to pound the football. His scouting report reflects an athletic player that can do some damage in the trenches, and he’s bulked up since last summer to continue manhandling opponents. We’re expecting a good year out of Keenan Taylor as a senior ready to go out on top.

 To work backward in the countdown, visit 80 days, where we examine the infamous Toilet Bowl of 1980.