What Makes WVU TE Coach Blaine Stewart Believe Kole Taylor is NFL Caliber?

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – WVU tight ends coach Blaine Stewart believes in his players, especially Kole Taylor. Stewart even went as far as to proclaim Taylor as NFL caliber player when prompted by the media after a fall camp practice.

“I think Kole will absolutely have an opportunity to play at the next level. What that look like on draft weekend, who knows… But I’m confident just having seen different position rooms that he will have a shot to play on Sunday,” said Stewart about Taylor.

And factoring in Taylor’s size, his production and how he looks entering the 2024 season, it’s no surprise Stewart would be so confident in the Grand Junction, Colo. native.

“Kole (Taylor) took a major step in the offseason physically. He did a great job with his body composition this summer. I’ve been very pleased with what I’ve seen from him in the run game,” added Stewart about what he’s noticed in Taylor’s progression from last season to where he is today.

Stewart also pointed to Taylor possessing “dynamic ball skills” as what separates the WVU senior from the past great tight ends in program history.

Kelsie LeRose / WVSN

Taylor has been honest about planning to raise his game in 2024, and he gained extra motivation when he learned he was named to the Mackey Award Watch List on Aug. 9.

Taylor, who said he was checking his phone all day knowing the list was being unveiled, admitted he is striving to win the Mackey Award and be recognized as the nation’s top tight end. He also revealed a personal goal of 50 catches for his final college season.

“It’s good news to hear I’m on the watch list. Having that is just a bigger target on my back,” said Taylor, acknowledging the more he’s recognized, the more it motivates defenders to stop him. Taylor emphasized being part of a Big 12 championship is his top priority over any individual goal.

Taylor, who recorded 35 receptions for 444 yards and scored four touchdowns in 2023, believes the chemistry he’s built with Garrett Greene and the relationship he now has with Neal Brown should equate to being provided more of an opportunity to perform in his second year as a Mountaineer.

WVU TE Kole Taylor Admits to Being Motivated by Particular Award

When Taylor came to West Virginia before the 2023 season, he did so on the promise he would receive more of an opportunity as a pass catcher. Taylor is now looking to build off a successful season with an even more productive 2024. He revealed that he’s striving for 50 catches based on the work he’s been putting in with quarterback Garrett Greene.

After spending three years in the SEC with LSU, Taylor transferred to WVU in January of 2023. He then recorded 35 receptions for 444 yards and scored four touchdowns, giving the Mountaineers the program’s most prolific tight end in years.

Prior to WVU, Taylor started only seven of his 32 games at LSU and made just 17 career catches for 159 yards and one touchdown. Taylor was a three-star recruit of Grand Junction, Colo. in 2020.

Taylor’s offensive numbers may be what catches (pun intended) people’s attention, especially since WVU head coach Neal Brown once referred to his 6-foot-7, 225-pound tight end target as “open by birth” but he prides himself on being a complete player.

“I never like being called just a pass catching tight end or just a run blocking tight end. You have to be versatile if you want to play at the next level,” Taylor responded when asked about how he was used after a game early in WVU’s 2023 season.

Taylor also made it clear he’s ready for whatever is needed from him during games. “If I get open, they are going to throw me the ball. If I get open, they are going to find plays for me. So I have to do my job to make it happen,” he said about his mentality during games.

For a related story, WVU tight end Kole Taylor cleared up the confusion about why he’s not an available character in the College Football 25 video game.

WVU TE Kole Taylor Clears the Air on His Absence from College Football 25