Interview: Texas 2019 QB Taj Gregory has the Makings of the Ultimate Dual-Threat Quarterback

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

One season does not make a career or vault a high school player to five-star status but it certainly can foreshadow coming events. If Taj Gregory’s first season playing Texas varsity football is a sign of what we can expect from him, the amazing is possible.

Gregory transferred from Manvel High School between his freshman and sophomore season to Yates High School. The difference on the field for the Lions was going from a 4-6 squad in 2015 to 7-4 in 2016. If the three games won does not impress consider that local media expected even less of Yates predicting they would win only three games, but Gregory had other plans.

Exact stats have not been released on Gregory’s season, but suffice to say it was a breakout season. The easy comparison for Gregory to a quarterback we have all seen is former Texas dual-threat Vince Young. Yates’ rising star is 6-5.5, 185 pounds, and can spin the ball around the yard and work the chains on read-pass option or just on a straight scramble making something out of nothing. Gregory takes advantage of his height with a high delivery varying his passes from on a line to touch. He is athletic and shows poise under pressure earning the label playmaker with his skills.

The recruiting process is just beginning for Gregory but teams like TCU, SMU, Houston, and Arizona are a few of the schools showing early interest. In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I caught up with one of the brightest young prospects in the Lone Star State covering his sophomore season in the pocket and his off-season plans.

*A link to Taj Gregory’s 2016 season highlight reel is at the bottom of the interview.

Interview

Taj, what were some of the points of the game that you improved upon in 2016 that allowed you to have such a great season?

“Definitely my leadership. Last year was my first year with the team. I was not familiar with everyone. The coaches forced me to lead the team. Every day the coaches would tell me they will go where you take them. That made me become a better leader.”

How did your overall game get better?

“I got better at reading defenses. At the freshman level it is easy, he’s wide open throw him the ball. Now you have to read defenses and move. I took being in the pocket for granted. Now I can make plays with my arms and my legs.”

What was your game preparation for each opponent?

“Coach would give me the game plan each week. On Hudl he would give me the plays we would run that week. Every day before school, after school, and during lunch we would go over the game plan. Each week we would work on leading the team and winning. Going into the season we were predicted to win three games. I was not having that. I watched a lot of film.”

It looks like you have the green light to tuck the ball and run whenever you want. Is that especially true inside the red zone?

“That is accurate. At first, I was not running the ball. I looked at myself as a pocket passer. In the second game of the season I tucked the ball and scored. I realized I could run as well. Each week I gained more confidence. If one of my receivers is one-on-one with a defensive back I’m throwing the ball to him.”

Who were your main targets last year?

“Jar’Michael Cooper, Javar Brown, he’s a senior, and Troy Robins. They were all threats. When we were in the red zone if any of them were one-on-one I have to give them the ball.”

What areas of your game are you focused on during the off-season?

“My mechanics and my footwork. My footwork in the pocket especially. Sometimes I feel like I look sloppy out there because I am big and lanky. I try to avoid looking that way. I’m working on my intermediate throws. We completed the deep and short passes well last year. Now I am working on my intermediate passing game.”

Will the offense change at all next season?

“Actually I just got done talking to my coaches about that on Friday. I asked can we do a different variation with the offense. I asked if we can we go under center some next year. We went under center a couple times last season but by the end of the year we just stopped. Hopefully next year we will expand our offense.”

Everyone wants to win a championship, that aside, what are your goals for the 2017 season?

“My goals for 2017 is to grow as a team. This year we had a lot of players and athletes but I did not feel like we were always a team. We have a new coach this year. I was new last year. Everything is new. I want us to become a team now and work together throughout the year.”

What are the challenges of being a taller quarterback on the field or working with your technique?

“There are challenges. My legs – that is the main thing. When I’m running guys can hit my legs. Being that tall you’re not normally as fast as the small quick dudes. I grew 18 inches in a year.”

Are you playing 7v7 ball this off-season?

“Yes, I am. I’m playing with my high school and an elite team with some guys from around the Houston area.”

Which schools are showing recruiting interest in you?

“TCU, SMU, and Arizona. I took two visits to TCU during the season and I went to SMU. On my SMU visit I saw the Memphis game. That was a good experience.”

Do you have any planned visits this off-season?

“I want to go to U-of-H (Houston) and Arizona. I’m from Arizona originally and Houston is close by, so I want to check out those two schools.”

From the visits that you have already taken, what have you learn about college or the game at the next level?

“Coach Patterson at TCU, he was talking to us on a game day. He was telling us how serious he takes grades. I have always had good grades so that stuck with me. He knows all of the grades for the guys on the team and that they are in study hall or not. I love college football but it feels like a business.”

You mentioned your grades, what is your cumulative GPA?

“I have a 3.8. I take my grades serious. My parents preach to me about my education. I understand I am not playing football forever.”

What is your favorite subject in school?

“Math and science.”

Are you playing any other sports for Yates?

“This year I decided not to play basketball to focus on getting bigger and stronger for football. I am running track. We have a meet this week. And I’m playing baseball this year.”

Which events in track are you doing?

“I’m running the 4×1, 4×2, 400, 800, and long jump.”

Wow. That is a lot. Which positions in baseball are you playing? I’m assuming you might be pitching some.

“Actually I told my coach I did not want to pitch. I did not want to do anything that would tear my arm up. I understand pitching changes your form. I’m just playing shortstop and outfield this year.”

Last question, what motivates you out on the football field?

“Definitely, my Aunt. She has breast cancer. My aunt and my mother. Every day when we are working hard and I think things are tough… I have a necklace with her name on it. If something gets hard, if she can fight through cancer I can get through this. I want to give my momma something she has never had before and take care of my family.”

Taj, thanks for your time today and good luck with your upcoming meet.

“Thank you.”

Click the link to see Taj Gregory’s Hudl highlight reel.

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Photo credit: Houston Chronicle; No. 10 Taj Gregory in the pocket (2016).

Photo credit: Houston Chronicle; No. 10 Taj Gregory finds a receiver downfield (2016).

Photo credit: Gregory family; Taj Gregory (left) at SMU (2016).