Recently brought up in tight ends coach Blaine Stewart’s press conference, the West Virginia single-season touchdown record by a tight end is six, set by Lovett Purnell in 1995.
Heading into his second year with WVU and fifth year in college football, Kole Taylor could break that record. In his first year with the Mountaineers last season, after transferring from LSU, Taylor had 444 yards and four touchdown receptions on 35 catches.
In 2024, Taylor looks to be one of quarterback Garrett Greene’s top targets. Standing at 6-foot-7, with some athleticism, he can be both a vertical and possession threat, but most importantly in this case, a red zone threat.
Building off his first season in Morgantown, Taylor has been said to have shown major improvements in a key area over the offseason.
“Kole (Taylor) took a major step in the offseason. Physically his body does look different. He’s really added to his lower body strength and just overall mass. He did a great job with his body composition this summer,” Stewart said. “Kole has always had dynamic ball skills for a big guy.”
With people wanting to see more out of Greene as a passer, he may rely on Taylor as a safety blanket and a top target nearing the end zone. Taylor wants to be a big part of the offense and a team player in general, so he may not be chasing personal statistics as much as team success.
” All he (Taylor) wants to do is be a key part of our offense,” Stewart said. “The stats will come. We’re not going to ever put a number on it, but I think with what he’s shown to do this fall camp, he will be a pivotal part in everything we do offensively. And then as we get going you know the numbers will take care of themselves.”
While West Virginia’s offensive identity has been known to be run-heavy these past few seasons, especially last year, they may start incorporating more pass plays into their scheme. If so, Taylor can be a top receiver on the team and tight end in the Big 12 due to his dynamic ball skills as noted by Stewart. While Taylor may not be focused on the single-season touchdowns by a tight end record or even be aware of it, the mark that hasn’t been touched this century is something to keep an eye on in 2024.
