Update from Broncos training camp
ENGLEWOOD — Broncos tight end Marquez Branson is generating a lot of buzz for a practice squad player.
His coach has bragged about him, his teammates have raved about him.
With the Broncos in search of another pass-catching tight end to replace Tony Scheffler, whom they traded to Detroit in the offseason, Branson might very well be the solution.
Broncos coach Josh McDaniels certainly believes so.
“You didn’t see him last year, but we have very high expectations and high hopes for him,” McDaniels said.
. . .
He would play the role of an opposing team’s tight end in practice to give the defense a feel for what it would be like on game day.
The 6-foot-3, 247-pound Branson particularly excelled at emulating [Antonio] Gates.
He was that hard to cover.
So, who is Taylor Schuyler
It’s been a while since signing day in February, and his name wasn’t one that I remembered. So, I had to do some research, and I’ll share it with you.
From the signing day write-up on ucasports:
Taylor Schuyler • 6-3, 235, DL
Bixby, Okla. • Bixby HS
• 2009 5A Oklahoma Coaches All-State selection
• 2009 Tulsa All-Metro Team
• Recorded 149 tackles and 8 sacks as a senior
• 2009 5A All-Star selection
• Led team in tackles and sacks during junior and senior seasons
• Two-time 5A State semifinalist
• 2-star rated by ESPN.com
I don’t know why this didn’t jump out at me back in February, but 149 tackles? For a defensive end/tackle? Are you kidding me? Nice.
The only other information that I found easily was the ESPN evaluation. Unfortunately it’s Insider info, so I can’t copy and paste everything without getting into trouble. But they do have a bit before the cut off and a highlight video:
Schuyler is a hard nosed and high motor player. He plays on both sides of the ball in high school, but with his physical nature and motor he will most likely end up on defense in college. He could project to end, but we feel with his build he will most likely grow into and fit best as a defensive tackle.
Schuyler played some at tight end in high school as well. The rest of the ESPN eval is complimentary. He gets off the ball well, is labeled as tough, active and gritty, but might need some work as a pass rusher.
Regardless of what anyone else thinks, the coaches must think highly of him at this point. Even if they are just trying to send a message to other ends (Knowlton immediately comes to mind), they could have just put Lett as the backup to the right and left starters like they did with Lehocky.
* picture from coachesaid.com, who listed Schuyler as one of the top 10 d-lineman (of what I’m not sure; Oklahoma? the Tulsa area?)