Clemson's Will Taylor leaving football team to focus on baseball

Will Taylor clemson mlb Will Taylor, who was playing football and baseball at Clemson, has decided to stick to baseball this coming academic year. Travis Bell/Sideline Carolina Travis Bell/Sideline Carolina Facebook Twitter Email Print Copy article link CLEMSON — Clemson two-sport athlete Will Taylor has decided one sport is enough for this coming academic year. Taylor, who has a chance to be an MLB Draft pick in 2024, has decided to leave the Tigers' football team to focus on baseball. The Irmo native was regarded as a potential first-round selection out of Dutch Fork High in 2021, but Taylor relished a chance to also play slot receiver for a perennial playoff contender. This past academic year, Taylor was the first Clemson athlete to be a part of ACC titles in two sports since Rusty Charpia in 1988-89. Taylor's two-sport career wasn't without some nicks, though. The quarterback-turned-receiver tore his ACL early in his fifth game of his freshman season, which shortened Taylor's first baseball campaign to just 13 games. Ex-Clemson QB DJ Uiagalelei selected by Dodgers in MLB Draft CLEMSON Ex-Clemson QB DJ Uiagalelei selected by Dodgers in MLB Draft By Jon Blau jblau@postandcourier.com Taylor was again recovering from a knee issue leading into his sophomore baseball season, but settled in nicely. The left fielder hit .362 with 16 doubles, two triples, five homers, and 46 runs batted in. He also stole 11 bags. Meanwhile, Taylor had just five catches for 16 yards in his second football season, and he relinquished punt-return duties to freshman Antonio Williams. "Two years ago, I arrived at Clemson chasing multiple dreams," Taylor posted to social media on July 12. "Most people don't even get the opportunity to play even one sport in college. I've been fortunate enough to play two." Taylor's decision makes a lot of sense, given it will allow him to participate in fall baseball activities for the first time in his career and will also limit his injury risk heading into a baseball campaign that could vault him into the pro ranks. It also brings the football program down to 85 scholarships — right at the NCAA limit — which will allow former walk-ons Hunter Helms, Domonique Thomas, and Holden Caspersen to keep the scholarships they have been awarded. This offseason, Clemson also shed the scholarships of defensive end Greg Williams, who decided not to return for another season, and cornerback Malcolm Greene, who transferred to Virginia this spring. Clemson's Grice, Ingle and a pair of Tiger recruits taken in MLB Draft CLEMSON Clemson's Grice, Ingle and a pair of Tiger recruits taken in MLB Draft By Jon Blau jblau@postandcourier.com At receiver, the Tigers return Antonio Williams as a starting slot receiver, as well as reserve Brannon Spector, but they are also adding freshmen Tyler Brown and Misun "Tink" Kelley. Clemson also hopes to have a healthy Troy Stellato, who has missed his first two seasons with knee and hamstring injuries. On the outside, junior receiver Beaux Collins, sophomore Adam Randall, and redshirt freshman Cole Turner could have sizable roles. "Even though it may be from the stands and not the slot," Taylor addressed to his football teammates, "I'm here to support you guys however I can." Taylor has a chance to star for Clemson's baseball squad in 2024, which, despite All-ACC sophomore Billy Amick's transfer to Tennessee, returns a sizable chunk of its roster and a handful of veteran transfers. ACC freshman of the year Cam Cannarella returns with Taylor in the outfield. Clemson coach Erik Bakich, who guided his squad to an ACC tournament title and the No. 4 overall seed in the NCAA tourney in Year 1, has also added outfielder Alden Mathes (Richmond), infielders Jacob Hinderleider (Davidson) and Andrew Ciufo (Georgetown), catcher Jimmy Obertop (Michigan), and pitcher Matthew Marchal (Wofford) to the roster. Mathes and Hinderleider, both grad transfers, were both all-conference performers in the Atlantic 10, and Obertop had 26 combined homers as a sophomore and junior before his senior season was limited by injury. "To Coach Bakich, our baseball staff, and all my baseball teammates, you're going to get everything I've got to get this program back to Omaha," Taylor's statement concluded. "Clemson football fans, this isn't goodbye. I'll see you at Doug Kingsmore Stadium next spring."