MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama football wide receiver Jahmmir Taylor recently sat down with USAJaguars.com to discuss the depth of the wide receiver group and how they help make each other better, his personal goals coming into the season and what he likes to do in his spare time, among other things.

Taylor, a senior from Fairburn, Ga., has been a member of the Jaguar program since the 2016 season.  After redshirting his first season in Mobile, Taylor has seen action in seen action in 10 games, including each of the first three this season.  Last season, Taylor recorded four catches for 51 yards and one touchdown in the seven games in which he competed.

How have you improved since last year? What were some areas you wanted to focus on improving during the offseason?
"Since last season, I've tried to lock in and be more focused and more consistent.  I feel that I've done a much better job in those two areas this season.  I also wanted to improve my route running and become quicker getting in and out of my breaks."

Is there another wide receiver you try to model your game after?
"I would say that there are three – Antonio Brown (Pittsburgh Steelers), Odell Beckham Jr. (New York Giants) and Stefon Diggs (Minnesota Vikings).  Those are probably my top three that I try to model my game after.  I really like the intensity that all three of them bring to the games, the focus they have, their route running, and the plays that they make after the catch along with some of the moves they are able to make on defenders."

What do you see as your role in the offense?
"I feel that I'm one of the guys that helps bring energy to the team and one of the guys who can make a play when my name is called."

One of the deepest positions on the team is the wide receiver group.  Talk about the depth of the position and that helps the unit get better.
"We are a pretty deep group, but it just doesn't start on the field with our group.  Off the field, we do a lot of things together.  We go get something to eat with each other and talk about the game.  We have really bonded and get along which makes things out on the field that much better.  We also police each other and hold each other accountable.  All of that brings us closer not only as teammates, but as friends and brothers too."

What do you feel are a couple of keys for the offense to be successful?
"We just need to stay locked in and focused every day.  We need to just bring it every day and buy into what we are trying to do each week.  When the coaches call the plays, we need to execute."

Talk about your journey and how you ended up at South Alabama.
"I went to Banneker High School and didn't take my ACT until late.  I had offers from Georgia, Auburn and a few other schools, but I didn't get the test score I needed.  I ended up going to Hinds Community College in Raymond. Miss.  I say that Hinds is where I really learned about grinding and trying to stay consistent every day.  When I got to South, I pretty had to learn everything over again.  I got here pretty late and redshirted my first year."

What factored into your decision to come to South Alabama?
"Just the opportunity here.  I felt that the ceiling was very high for South.  We play the big schools and that gives you an opportunity to showcase your talent.  South is on its way to becoming a big-time program.  Don't get me wrong, we are already a good program and a good school right now, but we can become even better."

Did you know anyone on the team before you came transferred to USA?
"I knew Gerald Everett.  He was from Georgia and we had played his high school in the playoffs.  That was about it though."

Did you set any personal goals for yourself this season?
"Like I mentioned earlier, I just wanted to become more consistent and make a play whenever my number is called.  I want to put myself in the best position that I can be in so that I can be successful.  I just want to lock in and focus, be consistent and bring the play-making abilities that I know I have."

What are you wanting to do after your football career is over?
"Right now, I've been thinking about getting into coaching and going back to my high school so that I can give others the tools that I didn't have.  Just anything that will help with the development of others, because I like helping people.  Out on the field, I try to help my teammates by giving advice on how they could have run that route better or a move that they could have used on the defensive back to try to get them to bite on a route.  I just like helping people."

What do you like to do in your spare time?
"In my spare time, I like to get on the jugs [gun] and then take an ice bath to help me recover and get my body right.  I also make sure my homework gets done before I do anything else.  After Thursdays during the season, I don't want to have to worry about my homework so I can focus on the game.  I try to get my homework done by Wednesdays.  If I'm not doing any of that, I'm probably playing Fortnite."

What were some differences between junior college and Division I football?
"In junior college, you might only have one or two good receivers, but here our whole [wide receiver] room] is talented.  That goes for other positions as well.  Everybody is better at this level and everybody is working hard toward the same goal.  In junior college, you will sometimes have players that aren't thinking about the team.  They are trying to get out to JUCO so they are only worrying about themselves.  Here everybody has bought into the team; everybody is working hard every day.  You have to bring your work helmet every day."

What type of leadership role have you assumed on the team?
"I've tried to work on being more of a vocal leader on the team.  I feel that last year, I wasn't as vocal as I am this year.  The coaches look to me to help get our guys going."

How do you feel the team has gotten better since the spring?
"Everybody is coming to work and everybody truly believes that we are capable of being one of the top teams in the Sun Belt; that's the culture here now.  I feel that everybody has bought into that belief."

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