2024 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Taylor Burns, OL, McMaster University

• Name: Taylor Burns
• Position: Offensive Line
• College: McMaster University
• Height: 6’3
• Weight: 300
• Twitter: TB68_
• Instagram: tjb.68

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2024 NFL Draft? 

I believe my toughness, physicality, athleticism, and football IQ are something that separates me from guys at my position. I pride myself on understanding the concepts of plays and seeing the whole picture. I haven’t missed a snap throughout my college career and I am going into my 4th season as a starter. I’m not the biggest or strongest player on the field but I do my best to break the man I’m playing against so that by the 4th quarter I already know I won. 

At what age were you first interested in the sport of football?

Since birth, my Dad got me into the sport from as early as I can remember. I took it more seriously once I got to High School and bought into the weight room. 

What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?

I am the type of player that will buy into whatever role I have on the team. Whether I am a starter or bottom of the depth chart, I will elevate that group. 

If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be?

As someone who benefited from fundraising for underprivileged kids to get into sports, I would like to support kids who are interested in playing sports but can’t due to financial limitations. 

What is the best advice you have ever received?

Our Head Coach, Coach Ptaszek has a saying, “Leave the room better than you found it” it’s something that I have taken into my own life and it can be interpreted into more than just physical rooms. When I leave McMaster I want to leave this program better than I found it. 

Who was your childhood hero?

My Dad, when I was younger I thought he was invincible. 

Who is the most underrated teammate in your locker room at your school?

There are many guys who come to mind, but in the Offensive Line room, Nathan Paulin comes to mind. He is a selfless person who plays through injuries and rarely has missed a practice, he is going to be a starter eventually and is definitely a “glue guy” in our corner. 

What is your biggest pet peeve?

People who don’t work hard and expect the world. There is a direct correlation between working hard and finding success, it’s just the difference in how badly you want it. 

Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome?

When I was in High School I transferred to Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia, I was far away from home and that was difficult to begin with. After my first game of the season, I was experiencing fever and other issues, I fought through it and practiced until the Wednesday of the game week, I was tired of dealing with the issues and decided to go to the hospital, it later turned out that my spleen had ruptured and I was bleeding internally for a few days. So they gave me some medication and told me I was unable to play this year, I was devastated but I looked into other players that had experienced the same thing, I read about Brett Favre and Chris Simms having gone through a similar thing. I was able to convince my doctor that this was going to impact me for the rest of my life and I had my spleen removed which was an 8-hour operation and only missed 1 game that season and never looked back. Throughout my recovery, I was doing everything I could to come back and be with my team. 

Tell me something about your school and why it is so special to you?

The love and care that every member of our program has for each other is unlike many. The people are definitely what I will miss most about this place. 

What is your favorite snack food?

I could definitely live off of burritos for the rest of my life, you can turn any leftover meat into a burrito.

What is the best part of football?

The feeling when you are just making contact with a defensive lineman and you are fighting for leverage, there is nothing like it in any sport. 

If you could sell yourself in one sentence what would you say?

I am a tough, physical, and gritty player who does anything to win.

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be?

My comparison would be Tyler Linderbaum, he isn’t the longest guy but he moves well and finishes blocks. I believe I have the ability to fit in as a center in the NFL. 

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Kobe Bryant, Tom Brady, and Chris Farley. Kobe I would love to learn about his leadership skills and how he was able to elevate his teams and build culture. Tom Brady is someone who has the key to maintaining his body and playing at a high level for a long time and I would love to pick his brain on what he does. Chris Farley is just a funny guy to have around and I feel like he would make some good jokes and eat a lot of food.