Trojan freshman kicker welcomes challenge

By Drew Champlin

Published: July 2, 2008

TROY — Just a redshirt freshman, Michael Taylor has some of the biggest shoes to fill for Troy this fall.

Four-year starter Greg Whibbs holds the Troy record for field goals. He also led the Sun Belt in scoring and field goal percentage last year, earning all-conference honors.

At this point, all Whibbs and Taylor share is their hometown — both are from Pensacola, Fla. But coaches feel that Taylor’s long-term production can equal or better that of Whibbs.

Taylor spoke about the upcoming challenges in a recent interview.

What’s the biggest transition from kicking in high school to college?

Kicking off the ground. When kickers kick in high school, they kick off a tee. They can get the ball up and it’s easier to correct a mistake when you’re kicking off a tee. You can’t do that when you’re kicking off the ground.

How long have you been kicking off the ground?

I started last year when I got here.

Could you have kicked off the ground in high school?

I had the option, but coaches tell you not to because the ground is terrible in high school because of all the soccer and football games being played on the field. I used a two-inch. Some people use a one-inch.

What’s the biggest thing you noticed when you started kicking off the ground?

The way your foot angles. Now, it’s like kicking a soccer ball instead of just kicking it straight. It’s like going from straight, say a 180-degree angle to changing to a 45-degree angle. It’s a totally different thing.

Did you come in expecting to unseat Whibbs last year?

They told me that I would challenge, but I figure that he was a great kicker in his senior year, so he wasn’t going to lose the job. My biggest goal was to travel.

What’s your range?

The longest so far here is a 53-yarder. I feel comfortable easily with 48, 49 yards.

Kickers are stereotyped as being weird. Are you that way?

I don’t think I’m weird. I hope people don’t think I’m weird.

Are kickers football players?

I think so. We do everything they do with the workouts, we just don’t do all the things the other guys do in practice.

What was your first workout like with (strength coach Richard Shaughnessy)?

I didn’t know we had to run. That first day, I put everything I had into that first workout. I could barely move.

Were you in shape?

Good enough shape to finish the work out, that’s it.

Biggest reason you chose Troy?

It was close to home and one of the biggest reasons is so I could see more of my baby brother (Jordan Lohr, now 2 years old). I love going back there to see him. He’s doing new things every time I see him.