Commit Updates: Taylor comes up big

Leading up to Atascocita's second-round playoff game against Cedar Ridge, Patrick Taylor Jr.'s coaches told him they needed his A game.

"They told me I was going to have to be the workhorse and be able to rush for at least 250 yards in order for us to be able to win," said Taylor, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound athlete from Humble, Texas.

He stepped up to the challenge.

Taylor rushed for 275 yards and four touchdowns on 40 carries in Atascocita's 41-36 victory over Cedar Ridge. The Eagles will face Rowlett in the regional round of the 6A D1 Texas playoffs. (Editor's Note: Clips of Taylor from the Cedar Ridge game are embedded at the top of the article)

"It was definitely a confidence booster going into this next round," he said. "We just need to know we are not promised the next week so we have to put all our effort into one game to stay alive."

Taylor missed three games during the regular season due to injury, including two games with a deep thigh bruise. In nine games of action as a senior, he has rushed for 1,258 yards and 16 touchdowns.

"I slowed down my game this year," Taylor said. "Being patient and trusting my eyes was definitely where I've shown the most improvement from last year."

Taylor has been verbally committed to Colorado for nearly four months. He continues to stay in weekly contact with Buffs wide receivers coach Troy Walters, but that is not the only coach he has been hearing from.

"I am definitely still committed to Colorado," Taylor said. "A couple of other colleges are still trying to pursue me: Memphis, Louisiana-Lafayette and UTSA."

Taylor said he is not sure yet if he will take trips to other colleges. He is scheduled to take his official visit to Colorado the weekend of Dec. 4, but if his team wins this weekend, the trip will have to be postponed.

"They tell me to keep on doing my thing because they really like me and they can't wait to get me up in Colorado," Taylor said. "They are struggling to get wins but they just need to be able to finish out games. By bringing in our 2016 class, we will try to help them be able to compete at a higher level."

Updates on Colorado's other 2016 commits -

Defensive back Ronnie Blackmon - Had an interception, three pass break ups, four tackles and 79 all-purpose yards in Westlake's 28-9 victory over Peachtree Ridge in the third-round of the 6A Georgia playoffs. The Lions will face Grayson in the quarterfinals this Friday. Through 12 games this season, Blackmon has accounted for 984 all-purpose yards, six interceptions, 10 pass break ups and six touchdowns. Rivals recruiting analyst Woody Wommack "was impressed with" Blackmon while covering last weekend's game:

"Blackmon turned in an excellent performance while playing on offense, defense and special teams for Westlake," Wommack wrote. "When matched up with five-star Deangelo Gibbs, Blackman held his own by being physical at the line of scrimmage. He also had an interception and a receiving touchdown. He said after the game his only planned official visit is to Boulder."

Linebacker Akil Jones - Was hobbled in the game but Valley Christian still managed to roll past Los Gatos, 34-15, in the first-round of the CIF Open Division 2 playoffs. The Warriors will face Oak Grove next. In 10 regular season games, Jones recorded 57 tackles and 14 sacks. You can watch his newest highlight reel below:

Athlete Trey Udoffia - Had 100 yards of offense, a rushing touchdown and a key interception in Del Oro's 59-49 victory over Wood in the semifinals of the CIF San-Joaquin Section Division II playoffs. The Golden Eagles will face Granite Bay in the finals. In 12 games as a senior, Udoffia has accounted for 805 yards of offense and 10 touchdowns.

Defensive back Craig Watts - Returned an interception 65-yards for a touchdown to put Admiral Farragut up 25-7, but the Blue Jackets blew the lead and fell to Cambridge Christian in the quarterfinals of the 2A Florida playoffs. You can watch clips of Watts in action against Cambridge Christian below:

Season over now its time to grind harder for the next level- Craig Watts Jr. (@NoFlyZone_2016) November 23, 2015

#BlueGreyFootball Jersey Presentation Tour: #GoBuffs commit Craig Watts (@NoFlyZone_2016) was recognized today. pic.twitter.com/rwcbTInGu6- Blue-Grey Football (@BlueGreyFB) November 21, 2015

Just got off the phone with my guy @CoachJimLeavitt can't wait to get there #CU16- Craig Watts Jr. (@NoFlyZone_2016) November 19, 2015Quarterback Sam Noyer - Completed 11-of-31 passes for 192 yards and one touchdown with one interception, and had a rushing score, as Beaverton suffered a lopsided 70-13 loss to top-ranked Jesuit in the 6A Oregon quarterfinals. The Beavers finished the season 9-3, their best record since 2008. You can watch clips of Noyer in action against Jesuit below:

Lineman Terriek Roberts - Saw his prep career end as Denver South fell to Longmont in the quarterfinals of the 4A Colorado playoffs. Roberts started both ways and it has yet to be determined if he will play as an offensive tackle or defensive lineman when he joins the Buffaloes.

Offensive lineman Chance Lytle - Manning Churchill's left tackle spot, and playing situationally on the defensive line, Lytle helped the Chargers to six wins this fall. They lost to Judson, 40-13, in the first-round of the 6A D1 Texas state playoffs earlier this month.

Wide receiver Derrion Rakestraw - Accounted for 988 all-purpose yards, including 659 receiving yards, and scored six touchdowns in 10 games as a senior. Sequoyah won its final two games of the regular season but failed to make the playoffs.

Wide receiver Johnny Huntley and athlete Anthony Julmisse - After winning three of their first four games, South Plantation lost its final six contests. Playing on a very young team, Huntley and Julmisse still managed to make countless big plays. You can watch their senior highlight reels below, starting with Huntley's:

Click Nice convo with my future coaches cheered me up slightly💯💯- AJ® (@FloridabredAnt) November 19, 2015Here to view this Link.

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