Wake Forest Athletics
Family Atmosphere Ever-Present at Wake Forest Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
7/14/2020 12:30:00 PM | Football
Senior CB Ja’Sir Taylor has stayed connected with the Deacs coaching staff and his teammates since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Living in Asbury Park, N.J., senior cornerback Ja'Sir Taylor witnessed the COVID-19 pandemic in one of the places it first hit the United States the hardest. In fact, two of his aunts — both healthcare workers — tested posted for the virus, but have since recovered.
"It was hectic, to say the least," Taylor said. "When everything started, I was in New Jersey and they were one of the Coronavirus hotspots, so everything was shut down. I rarely got to go outside or even run around the neighborhood. Nobody knew what this was, so my parents kept me in for the most part."
Although he was quarantined with his family until late April, Taylor felt very connected to the Wake Forest coaching staff.
"I think we've done a great job of staying connected," he said. "We did a lot of Zoom meetings and one-on-one calls. Our strength coaches were calling to check up on us and we did positional meetings often. We did a lot of the same stuff we would do if we were on campus, it was just virtual."
With the loss of graduating senior cornerbacks Amari Henderson and Essang Bassey, both of whom started all 13 games a year ago, spring camp was going to be important for that position group.
"I was very disappointed, especially with missing the opportunity to work with new cornerback Coach Paul Williams," Taylor said. "I was looking forward to his new way of teaching, and we were all looking forward to his input and new techniques. We figured we would be able to sharpen it in the fall and be ready for the season.
Finding new ways to connect with his players, Williams had a one-on-one dinner meeting with each of the cornerbacks on the roster, according to Taylor.
"He really knows what he's talking about," Taylor said. "He gave me his whole background — the guys he's coached, the players who have gotten drafted and the places he has been."
Though the Deacs got in just five of the scheduled 15 spring camp practices, Taylor said fellow corners Ty Hardimon, Isaiah Essimma and Kenneth Dicks III showed a lot of progress.
Taylor has been back in Winston-Salem, living off campus since June 1 and has recently gained access back to the facilities in a controlled setting.
Additionally, Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson has chosen to isolate from his wife Catherine during the football season, because she is in a higher risk category as a cancer survivor.
"Seeing coach Clawson do that makes me realize what a great coach and a great man he is," Taylor said. "He's willing to sacrifice for the team and I want to do the same thing."
Taylor is the one known quantity returning at corner entering the 2020 season, having played in all 13 games a season ago while totaling 30 tackles.
"I don't have any individual goals, but I just want us to enter the season with as many guys healthy and ready to contribute as possible," he said. "I want to help the team in any way I can, and help this team compete for a championship."
Players Mentioned
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