by Joan Pringle
Anacortes High School senior Ryan Taylor, seated, signs a letter of intent Feb. 4 to play football next season at Central Washington University. He’s accompanied by former football coach Charlie Bell, left, coach Mike Lewis, father Phil Taylor, sister Brianna Taylor, mother Traci Taylor, grandmother Loresa Taylor and uncle Brandon Taylor. Not shown is grandfather Lee Taylor who was also there.
Surrounded by coaches and his family, Anacortes High School senior Ryan Taylor signed a letter of intent Feb. 4 to play football next season at Central Washington University.
With the commitment, Taylor will receive a partial scholarship.
The 6-foot, 6-inch, 280-pound offensive lineman was a three-year starter for the Seahawks. Central coaches have projected he’ll be a college guard or center when he joins the Wildcats, who have qualified for the Division II playoffs in each of the last two years.
Taylor said he chose Central because it has a winning program and he likes the coaches there.
His mother Traci Taylor was also excited about the academics at Central — and that Ryan gets to fulfill his lifelong dream of playing college football.
“I have every faith Central will keep him healthy,” Traci said.
Taylor has endured multiple knee injuries throughout his high school football career, his father Phil Taylor said.
He also suffered a severe concussion during his last game against Squalicum.
“So to get to this point is pretty major,” he said. “That’s why Central liked him. He could have quit a long time ago.”
High school athletic director Rick Mergenthaler said Ryan was a great role model and always has a cheerful attitude.
“We think Central made a great decision,” he said.
Though he hasn’t decided on his major, Taylor said he’s interested in business and construction management.
