Taylors recruitment off to fast start

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A standout junior at Missouri's Rockhurst High School, A.J. Taylor grew up a fan of the in-state college. Ask him today, and he'll tell you he still has a soft spot for Missouri. What he doesn't have is a scholarship offer. Kansas and Kansas State have made things official with an offer, but, for whatever reasons, the Tigers are biding their time.

"Missouri hasn't really been in contact," Taylor said. "I get letters here and there, but they haven't really reached out much. It doesn't matter to me. I'm going to pick the best school for me. If they gave me an offer, though, it would be considered pretty heavily."

Mizzou's choice to take its time is just fine by Taylor. The Class of 2016 prospect says his childhood allegiance to programs doesn't make his recruitment predictable. Instead, he insists he'll inspect any program that shows interest. It's why he visited Kansas State for the Wildcats' game with Texas Tech earlier this fall.

"It was the second time I have been there," Taylor said. "I feel like it was good. I really liked how they stressed the idea of family."

Bill Snyder and his staff want to use Taylor, who plays multiple positions at Rockhurst, as a wide receiver and also in the return game. As for his other scholarship offer -- the one from Kansas -- he says he's short on specifics.

"With KU, I don't know obviously because of the coach situation there," Taylor said.

Taylor, who could very well be the top junior in the state, is also hearing form schools such as Purdue, Oregon and Indiana. He intends to visit Oregon and Purdue this offseason. His travel schedule remains a work in progress because of the rush of interest in his recruitment.

All of this, you see, took the junior off guard.

"We're waiting to see who else shows interest before we plan the trips," Taylor said. "I was thinking the offers and all this was going to start after the season ended, so I was taken off guard. K-State is the only school I really know much about it right now."

Taylor plays running back, wide receiver and defensive back for Rockhurst. He also returns kicks and punts. Taylor has helped lead Rockhurst to an 11-1 record so far this season. The Hawklets are currently just two wins away from capturing a Missouri state title.