By BRIAN ARGABRIGHT
The 830 Times
Army’s loss is the University of Arkansas’ gain.
Zachary Taylor, son of former Del Rio Rams head football coach Rod Taylor, announced on X that he had committed to playing football for the University of Arkansas. Taylor, who was the Rams starting quarterback his sophomore and junior year, had previously announced he’d committed to play for Army but in late May made the Arkansas announcement after an unofficial visit to the school.
“He wanted to play in the SEC, which is the highest level out there,” Taylor’s father Rod said via text message.
Zach was the Rams’ starting quarterback in the 2021 and 2022 seasons, helping guide the team to the playoffs in each of those seasons. He earned the District 30-6A Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore and was a First Team All-District selection at quarterback as a junior. He also set a Rams record with two touchdown runs of 98 yards or more in the same game in 2021 against Laredo Nixon.
He was also a regional qualifier in track. In 2022, Taylor joined Juan Peralta, Jovahn West and Zane Hughes to break the school record in the 4×200 relay.
The younger Taylor played his senior season of football for Yoakum, a class 3A school centrally located near Austin, Corpus Christi, Houston and San Antonio. Standing at 6’ 4” and weighing in at 170 pounds, Taylor completed 90-of-160 passes for 1,376 yards and 15 touchdowns against nine interceptions his senior year. He also rushed for 342 yards and six scores.
Taylor also competed in track for the Bulldogs, helping the 4×100 meter relay team win the state championship and earning state silver as part of the school’s 4×200 relay team. He also set the Yoakum High record in the 200 meters with a time of 21.3 seconds.
Though Taylor played quarterback throughout his high school career, earning a reputation as a dangerous dual threat, his father said he has signed with Arkansas to play wide receiver for the Razorbacks. He did not rule out the possibility of competing in track, though, calling it “a possibility.”
“He has a full football scholarship. It’s a done deal that he’ll play wide receiver and should have the option to run track if he wants,” Rod Taylor said.
While Taylor lists himself as a three-star athlete on his X profile, which he earned through an evaluation by the On3 service, most websites that follow Arkansas football have him listed as a two-star. Regardless, Taylor is being touted for his speed and his height, both of which could put him on track to be a major contributor in new offensive coordinator Bobby Patrino’s scheme. The one concern that has been expressed regarding Taylor is his weight, but as a freshman he will have time to pack on some muscle as he begins his collegiate nutrition and workout regimen.
He is one of three true freshmen to join the Razorbacks this offseason and one of five new players to join the wide receiving corps at Arkansas. Currently Arkansas lists 13 players among its wide receivers.
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Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
