Mason Taylor shares which NFL tight ends he models his game after

LSU Tigers tight end Mason Taylor enjoyed a solid freshman year under head coach Brian Kelly. And while it was a great freshman campaign, he does not plan on resting on the success he enjoyed in year one. During the Tigers 2023 spring practices, Taylor has been working on improving his game in order to take another leap in his production on the field.

Like most, if not all, up-and-coming athletes, the Tigers’ tight end likes to watch pros, taking a few things from their game and making them his own. And on a recent appearance on Bussin With the Boys, Taylor revealed what NFL tight ends he models his game after.

“Travis Kelce, George Kittle is another good one; Andrews from Baltimore. But mainly Travis Kelce because, I mean, blocking, all around George Kittle is amazing,” said Taylor. “But I think Travis Kelce his route running opens up so many things Kansas City could do. So, definitely watching him and just his routes and stuff like that. He just knows how to get open. I don’t really know how to explain it. He just knows where people are gonna be and just goes in between them. If you really watch it, it’s really nice to see. But that’s why I watch him probably the most out of everyone.”

When it comes to the tight end position Travis Kelce, George Kittle, and Mark Andrews are three of the best names in the game today. So Taylor watching tape on any of them would definitely help his game improve. But if becoming an absolute threat in the passing game is his goal, it is difficult to argue against the Tigers’ young tight end choosing Kelce to model his game after.

Mason Taylor recalls highs and lows of his freshman season

Taylor’s first year at LSU wasn’t all smiles and rainbows; there were a few growing pains along the way too. As Taylor talked about the highs and lows of his freshman year, he highlighted having to learn quickly that college was a whole new ball game, compared to high school, was something he truly enjoyed every part of.

“The whole season was crazy. Coming from high school? It was 100% different from how you prepare, the games, the crowd…But the whole season was amazing,” said Taylor. “Through the ups and downs, your bad games and your good games. The ‘Bama game was insane. And after that was even more fun. But the whole season, the whole experience has been awesome. A great ride and I’m looking forward to next year too.”

Still, there are some not-so-glamorous things that come with that spotlight. In the interview, Taylor hit on the idea of criticism, specifically from fans and on social media. He went on to share his experiences with it, what makes it so hard to handle, and how he did end up powering through it over the course of the year.

“The first wake-up call to college was probably after the first game. I’ve gotten so many hate comments and DMs. My phone was blowing up,” Taylor said. “That was my big wake-up and welcome to college football. Just a bunch of people talking s*** about you or whatever.”