2017 Introduction: Huntlands DJ Taylor

Most people couldn't find Huntland, Tennessee on a map. The small town is also unfamiliar territory for college coaches, but that could change with the emergence of 2017 athlete D.J. Taylor. The 6-foot-2 and 220-pound athlete excels on both offense and defense.

"At running back, I'm a balanced back with speed and power. At linebacker, my strength is quickness. I play mostly at outside linebacker, and I can get to the ball carrier in a hurry. I had over 1,600 rushing yards this season, which was a single season school record. I'm just a few yards from being the all-time leading rusher at my school," said Taylor.

"Most schools like me at linebacker. I have no preference on which one that I want to play. I'll play wherever a coach wants me. "

As a junior, Taylor led Huntland to a 6-4 record, as the Hornets narrowly missed the playoffs.

"My junior season went good. We went 6-4 and had another winning season. It's been over a decade since we have had back-to-back winning seasons. We had a three-way tie so we missed the playoffs. Other than that, it was a good year," said Taylor.

College coaches have started to take notice in the small town athlete. It's no surprise with his combination of size and speed.

"I've talked to Tennessee, and Georgia Tech has asked me to come to a camp there. I've visited Vanderbilt, and they want me to come to camp this summer," said Taylor.

Taylor recently visited Vanderbilt, as he made the short trip from Huntland to Nashville.

"It was good. I loved it at Vanderbilt. I was up there when they played Texas A&M. Vanderbilt never gave up, but that game was all about momentum. When the momentum changed, Vanderbilt got down. In the 4th quarter, Vanderbilt's defense got a stop, and I liked how they were still hyped up. I liked that. Their defense is lock down," said Taylor.

"I like everything about Vanderbilt. It's an SEC school. It's in the toughest conference in college football, and it offers the best academics in the conference."