Tristan Sinclair explains decision to return to Stanford

Stanford‘s 2022 season was derailed in the early going when star running back EJ Smith was lost for the season just two games in. The team won just three games, leading many veterans to ponder whether they should even return to Stanford.

For veteran linebacker Tristan Sinclair, that decision was a resounding yes. He informed new coach Troy Taylor after he made up his mind.

“That conversation was really special,” Sinclair said. “It went down just how he said it. I’ll never forget what he said. He said I’ll never forget this. That was special for me because it was just kind of a spark and a feeling that this is the right thing to do.”

Sinclair has been a regular contributor on defense now for the last two seasons. He has appeared in 21 games in that span, making two starts.

He’s made them count, too. Sinclair has tallied 75 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss, 0.5 sacks, an interception and two passes defended across three seasons now for the Cardinal.

So when he got a shot to return to Stanford and contribute even more, it was pretty close to a no-brainer for the long-time Stanford fan.

“To be in this program, to be a part of the rebuild was the right choice,” Sinclair said. “I’m so grateful for him, the opportunity to be back. That was a really special moment for me.”

Troy Taylor thrilled with Stanford support

While the return to Stanford of a veteran like Sinclair is huge for first-year coach Troy Taylor, the support he’s gotten from everyone connected to the organization has been equally huge.

That’s what Taylor first pointed out at Pac-12 Media Days when asked what his time on the job has been like so far.

“I think when you say ‘Stanford’, and you do this in recruiting, sometimes you can be a little bit blown out of the water or just be intimidated or think it brings a certain presence or mannerisms or whatnot,” Taylor explained. “Then what you find when you get there is what makes Stanford incredible is the people and how kind they are, how they want you to be successful.

“Dr. Condoleezza Rice is on campus, the kindness and intelligence she brings,” Taylor said. “A guy like Andrew Luck, who just finished up graduate school is on campus. You meet the people that you’ve kind of admired from a distance, you find out some of their best qualities are kindness, empathy, them wanting you to be successful. That was a very pleasant surprise.”

Taylor’s Stanford debut will come on the road at Hawai’i in a game that kicks off at 11 p.m. ET on Sept. 1, with a broadcast slated for the CBS Sports Network.