Justin Taylor is the true definition of a "team player." He is undersized for a high school player at 5"6" and 140 pounds. He tried out for varsity football with no experience in tackle football. He is an outstanding student with a 3.5 grade point average. He has never missed a practice or a meeting in two years. He will play any position at any time in practice or a game. He is not a consistent starter, but because of his hard work in practice and on special teams he started our game last week at outside linebacker.

He is a very quiet young man and the most respectful player in our program (120 players). He is always willing to help tutor other students. He is an inspiration to our coaches because he is a "Rudy" type player. He wanted to play football his entire life and now he is a valued member of our team. He enjoys playing football at lunch with other students and is always looking for ways to improve his talent level.

Off the field, Justin is a great son. I always see him helping out his parents who are both math teachers at our school. Carrying books, organizing files or any other job that they ask him to do. He is always on of the leading players selling discount cards to raise money to keep our program running strong.

Finally, he is always the last player to leave the field at practice or games, helping our coaches clean up the equipment and trash off of the field. He deserves any or all of the recognition if he is considered for this award.

He will probably be shy and say that he doesn't deserve it, but he deserves it more than any other player I have coached in 14 years.