Q&A: LSU TE Mason Taylor expects more on his plate this year
Mason Taylor has been a mainstay for LSU in his first two years in Baton Rouge. The junior tight end enters year three coming off of a lingering ankle injury and now expects to be a bigger part of the offense in 2024. With a new quarterback, new offensive coordinators, and a new receiver unit, Taylor is one of the top returners on the Tigers’ offense and has stepped into a leadership role for LSU this offseason as well.
Here’s what Taylor said at his media availability
On improvements over the offseason…
“Just being consistent. Showing the coaches I can hold a lot on my plate. I’m ready for the opportunity, so just proving to the coaches and my quarterback I’ll be open and I’m ready to have a lot on my plate is one thing I’m focusing on this year.”
On Garrett Nussmeier this offseason…
“He’s had a tremendous offseason. He stepped in as a leader since day one and he’s gotten our team on the right path. He’s done a great job of learning from experiences from Jayden, so he’s waited his turn, he’s been patient, and he’s going to have a great year this season.”
On the tight end position in this offense…
“We lost some production with Brian Thomas and Malik Nabers leaving, so there’s room for opportunity. The receiver group has done a great job stepping in and as a tight end group, this is really important for us to step in and show what we’re able to do and that starts in practice. We have to show we can make those types of plays for this offense.”
On being in the new college football game…
“It’s definitely really exciting. I remember as kids playing that game and now being in it is a dream. I’m pretty sure early access comes out today, so I’m excited to get back to Baton Rouge and playing tonight.”
On preseason conversations as a team…
“Just being consistent week in and week out. As long as we stick to our process of being where our feet are, we’ll be fine. It opens more opportunity with 12 teams being in the playoffs, so that’s definitely exciting and as long as we do what we do at LSU, we’ll be all good.”
What does it mean to be here representing LSU…
“It’s a great honor. I’ve heard a lot of great things about SEC Media Days, so I’m honored and glad to represent LSU.”
On the tight end room…
“We have a great tight end room. Coach Nagle has done a great job of pushing us every day. We had a great spring and I think we’re closer than we ever have been before. Creating that bond and pushing each other to be be the best every single day is going to make us great.”
Garrett as a QB vs. Jayden…
“It’s similar in some sense. We have the same offense, so not much is going to change. Jayden had his legs and Nuss has some wheels that people don’t know about. Jayden Daniels is Jayden Daniels, but Nuss learned a lot from him. He’s learned from the Heisman winner and he’s definitely going to have a great year this year.”
On the depth of this roster…
“Yeah, we’re pretty deep. We’ve evolved from our first year to now, we’ve grown a bond that you need to have and it’s been a great ride for us. We’ve learned from our mistakes and from our past and we’re in for a great year this year.”
On facing USC to start the season…
“It’s just the process. We were a young team before and this year we’ve grown up faster. Year three in the program, we know each other better and it shows.”
On his expectations of himself…
“I hold myself to a high standard. I like to have a lot on my plate and know everything, so just having those opportunities, I just have to make those plays, so they can trust me. I’ve set goals and written down goals and I use those to motivate myself every single day.
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