The Cardinal Countdown: 26 Days Until Kickoff

#26 Chris Taylor-Yamanoha

Class: RS Freshman

Ht/Wt: 6-2/183

Position: Wide Receiver

Hometown: Rohnert Park, CA

Twitter: @christyami

Thoughts: If you forgot about the recruiting story for Chris last year go back to my countdown post and check it out, cool story worth refreshing your memory on.

Last year, although he was recruited as a wideout, the staff decided to give CTY reps on the defensive side of the ball as they were a little thin at corner, and Chris, having played both sides of the football in high school, knew that spot fairly well. As much as I would have loved to see Chris play last year I was excited that they didn’t have to burn a year of his eligibility as the secondary injuries began to mount. CTY kept his redshirt intact and started to look at 2017 as his opportunity to get on the field. Then, the very thing I said on the countdown last year might happen, happened...

Of course, I think we all know if Petrino wants him back at wideout…well, he usually gets his way.

Fast forward to the spring and boom, Petrino went and got his man. Chris was officially moved back to wideout and was listed as such on the depth chart released a few weeks ago. One reason is obviously the influx of talent in the secondary via last year’s recruiting class and a couple noteworthy transfers in Rodjay Burns and P.J. Mbanasor. The other reason is that wideout, although looking pretty solid right now, will need some young talent in the next couple seasons to compliment the play of Seth Dawkins, Dez Fitzpatrick, and newcomers Justin Marshall, and Josh Johnson. Chris may have shifted positions but he was complimented by the staff last week for stepping back into a “new/old” role and not missing a beat, running crisp routes and high pointing the football well. Moving positions can be tough, but as I said last year one thing is for certain, the coaches are looking for a way to get him on the field, and that’s always a good sign.

Sweet Tweet:

Well, here in Louisville we have been known to enjoy an occasional college basketball game or two as well. I’m sure you’re fitting in nicely.