Linebacker Noah Taylor discusses transferring from Virginia to North Carolina

Noah Taylor took his talents from one ACC program to another, choosing to attend North Carolina and play under Mack Brown after the linebacker terrorized opponents for years with Virginia.

During a press conference earlier this week, Taylor spoke about how he’s adjusting to his new surroundings, including Tar Heels defensive coordinator Gene Chizik.

“It was really straightforward,” Taylor started, speaking about meeting Chizik for the first time. “Obviously, I committed under the old coach. But he was very confident in his approach. Knew exactly what he wanted to do with me right away. So, that was really good.”

While Taylor enjoyed his time with the Cavaliers, the linebacker added that it was simply time for a change as Virginia went through a coaching change of their own.

“I saw it as an opportunity, when Bronco [Mendenhall] decided to step-away from coaching, I saw it as an opportunity to try to get to see the way that somebody else runs a program,” explained Taylor. “Learn a new defense. Experience something new.

“You know, I was in Charlottesville for four years. I love that place, but it was just getting kind of boring, kind of old — just wanted to see something new.”

Luckily, Taylor is adjusting to his new surroundings well, and it sounds like he’s elated with the decision he made.

“I love it here,” stated the linebacker. “Everything that they told me on my visits here, all of my calls with Mack Brown, everything was the truth. I do love it here. It was a great decision.”

Noah Taylor may have been on the opposing side when it came to North Carolina for multiple seasons, but the linebacker feels like he’s finally where he was destined to be. Next season should be a fun one for the former Virginia linebacker.

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Moreover, North Carolina Tar Heels senior linebacker Noah Taylor recently revealed that his perception of the school and program has completely changed now that he’s no longer on the outside.

“I’m not gonna hold back; I’m telling the truth. When I was at UVA, I did not like North Carolina, probably my most hated school,” said Taylor. “I thought everybody was spoiled, and they easily had the best talent in the ACC every single year; they just never put it together. And I’m so happy that I came, ’cause I’m seeing the transition from when I first got here. You can kind of see like this is why they were the way that they were because they were spoiled.

“It’s just really great to see that transition of the program that we’re building, and you know something very special coming this year.”

There may be some truth to what Taylor is saying. The Tar Heels were expected to compete for the ACC crown last season, but finished with a lowly 6-7 record. That included a loss to rival South Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.

“I don’t know how to explain it, but they were easily the most talented team in the ACC,” said Taylor when asked why he felt that way. “They get all the five stars. They get all the four stars, you know Jordan brand, like they got everything. And just they just never you know put it all together.”

North Carolina does have an opportunity to bounce back from their abysmal 2021 season, and with all their additions on defense like Taylor, 2022 could be the year where they finally put it all together.