Draft Diamonds Prospect Interview: LaVance Taylor, RB, University of Central Missouri

Every year, NFL Draft Diamonds brings our readers the best in depth interviews on the internet. We specialize in giving players an opportunity to showcase their talents on our website. We conducted interviews last year with over 300 plus players. We want you to enjoy our interviews, because when these young men are in the league, we will not be surprised, and neither should you. 

What is your name? 

LaVance Taylor

Where do you play college football? 

University of Central Missouri

How many teams were recruiting you out of high school? 

Four

How did you choose your school? 

My grades at the time did not meet the standards of the four division one teams, so I called Coach Jeter on the phone and told him that I wanted to come to UCM and they gave me a scholarship.

Where are you from? 

Kansas City, Missouri

Who is your role model, and why? 

My father. Throughout my life he taught me the importance of hard work and dedication. He taught me how to love your family and fight for what you believe is right. He is the one that influenced me to play football in the first place. 

Have any scouts met with you yet, and if so what are they saying? 

One, He just wanted me to tell him about myself and just saying he was interested. 

Did you play any other sports growing up? 

I ran Track and Field and played basketball.

Did you play any other positions in football?

I played WR, KR/PR and CB.

At your position, what separates you from others? 

What separates me is that I can catch the ball out the backfield. I also can be a threat in the return game.

When you are breaking down film, what do you look for? 

I look for tendencies that the defenses might tip off, I look to see who plays hard and who take plays off. I look at my performances to see what I can improve on. 

YOU CAN CHECK OUT LaVANCE’S HIGHLIGHT HERE

Who was the toughest player you ever faced? 

Brandon Williams 

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

Jamaal Charles, he is an all-purpose back and that’s how I play the game too. 

What was the biggest obstacle in your life you had to overcome, and how did you overcome it? 

When my mother lost her job and we were going through a hard time. I just kept in prayer and pushed to do something positive everyday. 

Do you have any pre-game rituals? 

What I usually do is listen to slow music and pray. 

What is your biggest strength? 

My speed

What is your biggest weakness? 

Blocking

If I were a GM and gave you a second to sell yourself, what would you say? 

If you would pick me up, I would be the hardest working player on the team. I would stay out of trouble and always looks for ways to make the team and myself better. 

Who was your favorite player and NFL team growing up? 

Marshall Faulk and the Kansas City Chiefs.

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would you choose? 

Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali,  and  Marcus Garvey