2025 WR Talyn Taylor Committed to Greatness Though Mother's Guidance
Venus Taylor knows talent.
Taylor, the seventh head softball coach at North Central College, might not coach college football, but she easily recognizes athletic traits in young people, including her own son, Talyn Taylor.
Now, Taylor identified her son's God-given gifts a little earlier than most, as she noticed he was different than his peers at the age of five.
"I knew Talyn was special at a very young age," Ms. Taylor told ISD. "It didn't matter what sport he was playing - he was always the fastest player on the field.
"When he was 5 or so, he started playing flag football at the Bo Jackson Dome and making cuts that simply didn't seem fair to the other kids his age, and then he was gone for the touchdown. He had incredible balance, coordination, vision and speed at a very young age; it definitely separated him."
If you talk to college football coaches, they highlight Taylor's balance, coordination, vision and speed as the 6-foot-1, 180-pounder has become one of the most coveted receiver prospects in the 2025 recruiting class.
LIFE LESSONS
As with any athlete, one's athletic gifts are just one piece of the puzzle. Long-term success comes down to commitment - and commitment through the ups and downs.
The finer points of baseball didn't come easy to Taylor despite his mother being a softball coach. In fact, Taylor noticed he was great on the bases and as a centerfielder, but the technical and mechanical pieces of hitting became frustrating for her son.
As a mother, Taylor admits seeing her son struggle at the plate wasn't easy. The coach in her knew it was needed and likely paved the way to becoming a star on the football field for Geneva Community (Ill.)
"Anyone who plays baseball and softball or has played high-level sports knows failure is part of it," explained Ms. Taylor. "It is your ability to master failure-recovery and maintain a no-quit mentality that allows you to push through and get outside of your comfort zone.
"It is then, and only then, when you see the ultimate success and because you worked through it, it makes it even that much more of a special moment when you succeed. You have to let them fail and encourage them to face the hard because walking away and thinking everything in life is going to be easy isn't the answer."
Athletics aside, Taylor also learned a life moment through baseball and his mother's guidance.
"My rule has always been when you start something, you need to finish it," Ms. Taylor said. "Ultimately, kids will pick their own passions as they get older. I always encourage parents to let them choose their passion and follow their heart because when you have a love for something, you are going to be great at it."
MINDSET
All coaches want competitive players and Taylor fits that mold. From an early age, the four-star prospect's drive to succeed and win has differed from his peers.
Yet, Taylor is still learning how to master his competitive drive as he advances into the next stage of his life. Dominating on Friday nights is one piece, but the other comes in the form of competing against the nation's best players on the recruiting trail.
"Talyn has always been competitive," Ms. Taylor stated. "I think it is internal and he's also learned along the way. He has always set out to win and be the best whenever he stepped on a field to compete. With that said, he is learning now that it is so much more than the will to win. It is advanced. He has to be meticulous and work on his craft. He realizes now he is walking in elite territory."
Taylor might have an edge over some of his competition; his mother can prepare him for his future as a mother and coach, but his coaches have also played a factor in his development.
But at the end of the day, Taylor's competitive drive comes from loving the game of football and embracing advice from those around him.
"The great thing about Talyn is he has a heart for the game," Ms. Taylor said. "He wants to work for it. He isn't just a talented freakish athlete. He loves the game of football and he has big goals for himself.
"If there is one thing I have always pointed out to him is always pick you, son. Always believe in yourself. You have God-given talent and your gift back to God is to do something with it. I truly hope he does great in everything he does and that he turns around and uses his gifts to gift someone else."
OFF THE FIELD
Taylor might be a high-profile recruit, but away from football, the Illinois native is very similar to his peers. Family and friends are important to him and Taylor loves video games.
The Geneva Community star also prioritizes music as he could have a future there after football.
"I would say his hidden talent is in the music industry somewhere," stated Ms. Taylor. "He can memorize lyrics like no other and is a great dancer."
Taylor is also mature beyond his years and it starts with his care factor. In fact, Taylor's circle might celebrate his successes, but he's quick to give it right back.
"Away from the field, Talyn is truly just a special soul," explained Ms. Taylor. "He has a great disposition and energy about him. He always has a big smile and a warm welcome for everyone he sees. He knows how to celebrate others success. He has a thoughtful and caring heart. He is a respectful son. He loves our dog and animals. He is great with kids. He seems to draw everyone to him and honestly, my friends are always complimenting him on being such a great kid and it truly makes me so proud. You don't have to mold him into being a good person. He just is."
PREPARING FOR THE NEXT STEP
Sports have been a significant piece of Taylor's life to this point. Taylor has seen his mother coach softball her entire life, but she also brings the unique perspective of playing professionally for nine seasons.
Taylor played softball at Western Illinois, where she was named Mid-Continent Conference Player of the Year in 1997 and is also in the WIU Hall of Fame.
The fact Taylor's mother has been a coach since 2001 is a major advantage not only for his development on and off the field, but as he maneuvers through his recruitment process.
"I know what questions to ask and how to go about getting him in front of college coaches and how to handle his academics and the process," Ms. Taylor stated. "He was prepared for this in a way, but his work ethic and commitment to greatness that got him here not just talent.”
Recruiting can change a person in many ways. Thousands of kids handle it in stride, while many others lose themselves during the process.
Taylor holds over 20 offers, but despite the national attention and high-profile schools recruiting him, he's remained the same kid.
"He is handling everything very well," explained Ms. Taylor. "Talyn does not have a nervous type of personality. He is wired in a way that allows him to stay calm and on track. He sees the vision and he goes for it. He knows he has to work for what he wants and stay disciplined."
As a mother, Taylor has made sure her son isn't alone in this process and reminds him to stay on the right path even if it's unnecessary.
"I constantly remind him to stay humble and give thanks for all his blessings," said Ms. Taylor. "It is truly remarkable how he is handling it all. I couldn't be more proud of him."
Taylor hopes her son remembers six key points she has learned through the years as a mother, coach and athlete, which are also topics of discussion in passing.
1. Put God first and always keep the faith
2. Be a good person. Your character matters
3. Love your family
4. Believe in yourself. Shoot your shot
5. Hard work works. If you want it, work for it
6. Have an attitude of gratitude
"As Talyn's parent, I consider myself his most trusted advisor and life coach," Ms. Taylor said. "I am his biggest influence and source of information. I am his everyday educator. There are many things I hope that stick with him.
"I think all of these lessons have prepared him to stay in stride and fully appreciate the journey he is on."
The last year (or so) has been an emotional journey in the Taylor household. Hard work is being rewarded and steps have been made toward the end goal, showing the world the job Taylor has done raising her son and how he embraces his mother's actions and words.
"As a mother, I am overjoyed seeing his dreams in motion and coming to fruition," said Ms. Taylor. "We all want our kids to be happy, reach their full potential and ultimately live a great life. There have been many moments along the way that I have become emotional throughout this process and it truly is because we feel so grateful to God and to all of the amazing family, friends, coaches and people who have supported Talyn along the way. We are blessed and we do not take it for granted."
PAYING IT FORWARD
For 20 years, Taylor has seen recruiting from a coaching perspective, leading to being ahead of the curve when her son's first offer rolled in from Iowa on June 4th, 2022.
Taylor has changed many lives by allowing high school athletes to live their dreams on the softball field and further their education.
The core values remain the same at any level and allowed the Taylors to find peace in the recruiting journey.
The best advice I can give another parent is, first and foremost, love your kids and build them up to leave their mark in this world," Ms. Taylor said. "Be their best example and foundation. They are looking to you for everything. Be invested. If you see you have a talented son or daughter, help guide them through the process. We don't always have all the answers, but we can find them. Keep great people around them and that means coaches too. Young kids are vulnerable and impressionable.
"They are working on their tools and as much as they have to work on their physical skill set. They are also working on their confidence and growing their mental skills. Be sure to put them in situations where they are playing with the best and competing against the best so that they can be amongst like-minded athletes and not shy away from anyone or feel intimidated. Iron sharpens iron, in this case. When you know they are ready, get them in front of the college coaches and let them go.
"Trust the process. Everyone's process and timing is different, but stay the course. Keep believing your time is coming and do whatever it takes to make it happen. Discipline is key. You can't shortcut the system. Keep showing up."
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