Collins High School’s standout football lineman, Justin Taylor, recently solidified his commitment to the Centre College football program.

“Playing college football was always a goal of mine, so finally getting signed, it feels great.” said Taylor.

Yet, Taylor’s decision transcended mere touchdowns and tackles; it was a carefully considered choice driven by a desire for academic growth. “I knew I wanted to go to a place that had a high level of academics, because I was looking at football as another step in my athletic career. I knew I wanted it to go with an elite academic school, too. Centre has a lot of study abroad opportunities, and that was something that I wanted to do in school. Centre will allow me to play football and get an elite education and study abroad, and it’ll be much different from other schools.” Taylor said.

While a national championship is always the goal, Taylor’s personal goals align more with individual growth. “Winning a national championship in four years would be great, but personally, I would like to be an all-conference player at some point in four years,” Taylor said.

Acknowledging the transition from high school to collegiate athletics as a leap in competition, Taylor embraces the challenge. “I’ve spoken to a lot of the players and they say it’s all about time management, and that’s going to be something I’m going to have to work on,” he acknowledged. “Additionally, Centre College provides so many resources for students to be successful academically, so that’s something I’m going to use, too.”

Anticipating the thrill of facing new opponents on the college gridiron, Taylor eagerly awaits the heightened level of competition. “I can’t wait for the competition,” he said. “I feel like in high school, you play pretty much with the same people for four years. I think it’ll be very fun to have new people to compete against. I know college football is a much larger jump than high school football is, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Taylor’s high school experience, marked by a rigorous academic load and athletic dedication, serves as a foundation for his collegiate pursuits. “I’ve taken challenging classes throughout high school and played football,” he said. “I think that will help tremendously when I get to the next level, because you have to balance football and schoolwork — that trains you very well for the next level.”

Offering wisdom to aspiring athletes, Taylor emphasized the importance of finding the right fit and nurturing familial support. “Right now, I would say that there’s a place for everybody. I would also say that college football is college football. It doesn’t matter what school you play at. It doesn’t matter what division you play. It’s still college football, and you’re still going to be playing football. So I would say that and also pick the school where you think you’ll succeed,” he said. “That’s what I did, and it worked out well.”

Expressing gratitude for his family’s unwavering encouragement, Taylor reflected on their support. “My parents have done nothing but support me,” he said. “My Mom would always push Mickey Mouse Cheerios after practice and make sure I was getting my protein or something. Thank you guys. Thank you.”

As he embarks on his freshman year at Centre College, Taylor sets modest yet achievable goals for himself. “It would be sweet to make the all-conference team sometime. But in the first year, making the travel team and playing a little bit this year would be cool,” he said.

Bolstered by Centre College’s esteemed coaching staff and cutting-edge facilities, Taylor stands poised to elevate his game to new heights. “I have watched the Centre College coaching staff and the facilities. I want to get faster and stronger and use this to my advantage,” he said.

As Taylor prepares to transition from the halls of Collins High School to the storied fields of Centre College, his journey stands as a testament to the power of dedication, perseverance, and the pursuit of excellence in both athletic and academic spheres.