At the urging of his cousin, current UNC freshman defensive back Terry Shankle, Justin Taylor came out for the varsity football team only two weeks before the start of last season. Taylor, now a senior, had never played football before, but South Stanly (Norwood, N.C.) head coach Luke Little found a role for the athletic 6-4, 220-pound prospect.
Taylor did well last season at defensive end and on special teams, and Coach Little expects more out of his standout prospect this season. So far, though, he has been sidelined for most of preseason practice.