Mother of Michigan LB commit Chase Taylor talks decision, BBQ at The Big House visit, more
Stockbridge (Ga.) High linebacker and Michigan commit Chase Taylor returned to Ann Arbor last week for the BBQ at The Big House with his family, including mother Angela Taylor, who had been on campus twice before the late July festivities.
“A lot of our questions were already answered, but the atmosphere was great,” Angela told The Wolverine. “The coaching staff and their families, everyone was nice. Tons of food, of course, and the food was good. The activities were a lot of fun. Just played games with the players, the parents, the staff, along with their families. So, the atmosphere was really nice.”
The barbecue was another opportunity for Chase and his loved ones to get in-person interactions with Michigan linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary. The latter has regularly kept in contact over the phone on a weekly basis this offseason.
“He probably calls Chase maybe two or three times a week,” Angela said. “We’re nosy parents, so every time he gets a call, we’re like, ‘Who is that? What’s going on? (laughs).’ When they say it’s a family atmosphere, it really is truly a family atmosphere. It’s almost like you’ve known them all your life. Even since last year, we’ve been talking to the coaches. Coach BJ, we talked to him a lot during the recruiting process, and it hasn’t stopped. He still calls and checks in on Chase. His family was there, his wife and his daughters. It’s like you’re coming into a whole new family or you’re adopting a whole new family. It’s been good.”
Chase committed to Michigan shortly following his official visit during Victors Weekend. He was one of 10 pledges in the 2025 recruiting class who appeared prior to the July dead period.
The Wolverines offered Chase in October of last year when Chris Partridge was on staff. But when Jean-Mary was hired by head coach Sherrone Moore, he quickly prioritized the three-star, resulting in the family visiting Ann Arbor for the first time in early April and then the June official visit.
The relationship Jean-Mary has built with the family is assuring Angela her son will be looked after perfectly.
“Once Chase leaves, he’s only 17. He’s still a kid, right? As a mom, I want that warm and fuzzy feeling when he leaves home, and I have no worries,” Angela said. “I really have no issues. I feel safe, I feel comfortable, and I feel pleased with him going off to Michigan and being with Coach B.J. Even Coach (Don) Martindale and the staff there. He has student coaches who we’ve gotten to know very well. It’s helped us feel at ease with sending Chase off to school.”
Along with Jean-Mary, a strong connection has been established with Moore, who possessed the same welcoming personality at the barbecue as he did on the family’s official visit.
“It’s been really good. Of course, Coach Moore had to make his rounds because Chase wasn’t the only guy there. They had a ton of guys there with the 2025 commitments and 2026 recruits,” Angela said. “But he made sure everybody was comfortable, made sure everyone was good, took the time out to meet and greet, and he had a little fun with the guys as well. I think he did a great job in meeting and talking to all the players that were there, whether they were commits or recruits. He didn’t favor anybody over one another or anything like that. He was very well-rounded at that barbecue.”
Along with competing in a workout with Jean-Mary, Chase also got hands-on training from Michigan strength and conditioning coach Justin Tress last week.
“It’s unreal, to be honest, when I saw how they come in as a freshman,” Angela said. “Of course, (Tress) showed a presentation on how they transform in a matter of two or three months. I was very intrigued about that presentation. It was amazing. I’m like, ‘Oh, my God. Chase is like 6’3″, 215, 220.’ I was a little worried because I was like, ‘You’re going to put weight on him?’ They were like, ‘Yes, Ms. Taylor, but it’s going to be good weight.’ But just to see that transformation and that progress of the measurements they take when they get there, as opposed to the measurements they take over time, the KPIs they use. I was very well impressed with it.”
Once Chase concludes his senior season, he plans to enroll early in the winter. His parents yield high expectations for the journey ahead in Ann Arbor because of the resources allotted to Chase on and off the field.
“We talk about this a lot during the recruiting process because we’ve been to different schools. I was telling my husband, I said, ‘There’s no comparison,’” Angela said. “Michigan probably has one of the best opportunities for anyone, whether they’re an athlete or student, in terms of life after football or getting a degree, what your career goals or life goals are going to be. That in itself was just amazing to us. Chase is going to come and play football. He may or may not make it to the next step. But if he doesn’t, we are comfortable in knowing he’s going to have all the necessary tools to live his life from that degree he has at Michigan, from those opportunities, from the internships, as well as people speaking into him and just taking him along with them. There is no way he’s going to fail there. No way.”
At 6-foot-2.5, 201 pounds, Taylor is listed as the No. 630 overall prospect and No. 67 player in the state of Georgia, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four primary recruiting media services. On3 ranks Taylor as the No. 58 linebacker nationally.
“I told him, ‘After high school, I feel like there’s nothing really here left for you. Go be great somewhere else.’ I’m ready for it,” Angela said. “I’m excited to see what the season holds, and I’m ready to see his transformation and how he gets adjusted. I think it’ll be good that he’s going early. I think that’s important nowadays if they can get on campus early and try to get an early start. So, it’ll be good for him.”
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