The Alontae Taylor Story: "Football Saved My Life" | Titans of Tennessee

When people hear name Alante Taylor, what do you want them to remember about you? >> THROWS ONE AND IT'S INTERCEPTED. TAKEN AWAY BY Alante Taylor. >> You can come from a small [music] town and and you can make your dreams come true. >> I don't think anybody could argue about Alante being the most accomplished athlete that ever come out of Coffee County. >> Taylor's going to break loose. Alante Taylor is loose trying to go 65 yds. He showed he had the work ethic. >> He didn't take no for an answer. I don't think I heard that kid say I can't ever. >> I hate to lose and in all aspects. One thing that I can promise you to get a player who's going to compete. >> Intercepted. Alante Taylor. And what a huge play right there by Alante Taylor. >> He's a a pivotal key cornerstone of this program still today. >> Oh, it's intercepted on the PLAY BY TAYLOR. WILLIAMS GETS CRUSHED by Alante Taylor. >> Quarterback Alante Taylor most recently with the Saints [music] is now going to be a member of the Tennessee Titans. >> To be [music] back at home playing for the Titans, man, I think it's even more special. One thing that I can promise you to get is a player that on Sunday is going to leave it all [music] out on the field. >> I'm Alante Taylor and this is my story. Coffee County is a a rural community, small town, small town USA. >> Kind of a [music] sleepy little place, but you know, we are getting a lot of growth being close to Murreey'sboro and right on I24. >> We [music] all know each other and that that's a huge part of of being here. >> Besides Bonnaroo, it's it's it's a growing town. [music] Our streets are busier than they've ever been. But I think that's because people have recognized who we are and they want to come [music] be part of our city. >> Growing up here was it was a little different. You know, [music] people here in Manchester and all you think about is country. Like you just think it's just country, but it's poverty out here and and that's what I grew up in and my mom did the best that she could raising me and you know making sure I had what I what I needed to have to be successful. >> My name is Lori Love. I'm Alante Taylor's mother. >> My name is Nate Love. I'm his father. >> Raising Alante and my daughter. It was wonderful. I used to say if I could have had all boys, I would. You know, with him being a boy, seemed like it would been harder, but everything was easy about him. >> Taking y'all to where I lived. I lived right down the road from the high school, but it's the duplex [music] that we lived in. Me, my mom, my stepdad, and my older sister. the two bedrooms, one bath right here. 4817 [music] hotel home. A lot of memories. [music] Um, a lot of struggle. >> What I remember the most of, uh, raising [music] both of them in the house as kids, just really them running around, chasing each other. >> Parents mean a lot. [music] Uh my parents, they didn't they didn't live a perfect [music] life, right? Uh my mom got in a little trouble when she was young, younger with us. My dad, you know, in and out of the penitentiary. Um my stepdad in and out of jail, but they did the best that they could. >> I was 22 years old. If I knew the things that I knew now, I would, you know, I would take it back. But uh it did show me and it showed them that I could tell them that's not a place that they would want to be. So, we had our struggles living here and you know, my dad, my stepops being locked up, seeing my mom struggle to me having to run to the Dollar General store, grab pizzas to put in the oven for just me and my mom to eat was something that reminded me literally [music] that anything can change, anything can be taken away. Because before my dad would get arrested, we were eating. We was eating nice burgers [music] and we were eating like we were just eating so much different and literally a day goes by and now we're back to, you know, struggling. Sports definitely [music] kept me off the streets. I would say it saved my life. Um, so many opportunities I had to, [music] you know, do things that that weren't the best. Stay in the sports was the best way that I knew um how to keep myself out of trouble um [music] and keep a very busy schedule. I was playing for the K Lions uh team down in Winchester, Tennessee and we always had to do these abs [music] and we always had to do them at 6 ines and we had to like pat our pat our abs at the same time. I think those were some of the moments that I was like am I built for this? Um and [music] then as time got going, I started to see my abs and things like that. I was like, "Yeah, football is going to get me built." >> Center hand off, second man through big hole, he's gone. Never going to catch him when he gets through the line. >> Nobody could catch him. [music] you know, he made so many touchdowns just running, running, running, you know, so [music] everybody, my dad, everybody, you know, he's special. >> I had heard about Alante when he was in eighth grade about this all everything football player. >> Hand off to the third man. This is Taylor. [music] Taylor fighting, fighting, breaks free at the 40. 4550, he's gone. And Alante Taylor has just scored his third touchdown of the night. Football saved my [music] life and and it gave me an outlet and it gave me a place to let go of anger in the right way um instead of the wrong way which ultimately allowed me [music] to be here versus being in a box or in a cell. >> Then when he got up to what ninth grade he was like mom dad he come home one day he said [music] I think my ticket out of here is going to be football >> and Alante Taylor has just run 66 yards. I think my [music] transition from middle school to high school was a little difficult in the space of I didn't know if I wanted to stay in Manchester to go to Coffee County Central High School. I had thoughts of [music] trying to transfer to Blackman um in Murphy'sboro at the time. Obviously Jawan Jennings um Master T, they're putting guys um at big [music] D1 schools and um I just didn't know what that looked like for us at the end of the day. I guess it really was an option. My mom was like I'm going to Coffee County and that's where I went. >> [screaming] >> HEY, TODAY IS THE DAY. CAN I GET THE GO? >> CAN I GET THE GO? >> LOOK ALIVE. DEFENSE [screaming] FLYING TO THE BALL. CAN I GET THE GO? >> I MEAN, IN MANCHESTER, football is everything. >> WHERE MY DOGS AT? WHERE MY DOGS AT? WHERE MY DOGS AT? WHERE MY [screaming] AT? 1 2 3. LET'S GO. [screaming] >> IT IS FOOTBALL [cheering] TIME in Coffee County. Football is part of the very fabric of of Tennessee and it's a fabric of Coffee County and Coffee County Central High School. >> Friday nights here, I mean, it's packed houses. U I mean, the community is closeknit. I mean, we we know all the athletes. >> Field is actually not at the high school. You got to drive about 2 miles up the road. So, you've got police escorts going down the main road there in Manchester, taking the team and the cheerleaders and the B and the band uh to the game. It's kind of every stereotype you kind of think of [music] when it comes to high school football in the South. >> Friday nights like fans is going to fill up the stadium. Even if we were having a losing record, it was the the sport that brought the community together. >> Let's go now. you know, being a part of that was special for me. >> When >> he got to high school, they they just knew he was special. >> Showed up and I thought, man, this [music] is a skinny little kid, but the dude absolutely had some wheels. >> We always have a saying, I don't know what it is, but I know it when I see it. He had it. >> Yeah. I started as a freshman. I was spooked. We opened the season uh with Alante at wide receiver against uh Battleground Academy. >> Coach told me I was going in and I was so scared. I was so small. But all my friends who were older than me were like speaking life over me and they were like, "O you got this, bro. Like you're fast. Like just run fast. Like you got it." caught his first touchdown pass uh a slant for about 30 yards against them and that kind of told us, okay, you know, we've got something here. [music] >> And I remember my first big hit and I was like, wow, do I want to do this? Like I love baseball. [music] Like I love baseball. And so I was in my mind in that moment I said, "Oh, I'm going to just stick with baseball and basketball." But to see that all my friends [music] was cheering for me and that they had confidence in me, that's what allowed me to keep going. [music] >> Then about the third game of the year, it was against Colombia and we decided, you [music] know, to get the offense going, let's let's put him at quarterback. >> Alante Taylor will be starting at quarterback. >> Rode the fullback up in in triple option. pulled the ball, took off, and about the time [music] he hit the linebacker depth, you you see me on film kind of do this. >> Alante looks for room. He's free in the secondary. Alante Taylor SKIPPING BY DEFENDER ALANTE TAYLOR. >> As we said, the Alante Taylor legend was born. >> We had our first home game. I scored my first touchdown at a home game and the crowd went crazy. I literally looked around the stadium like, "Oh, I can get used to this." Taylor the football. >> What a lane Alante Taylor's got. Touchdown Coffee County. >> The quarterback is the one guy who has the ball in hand every play. And that's where we knew Lante needed to have. He could throw. He could sling the ball like nobody we've had before. >> Throw the ball into the end zone. That's going to be a touchdown. >> The era of [music] Coffee County was the Alante Taylor. >> When you think you had him contained, he found a hole and he found found that hole. Well, he took us for the ground. You weren't [music] catching him. >> Will be Alante back in at quarterback and he's off to the races again. Alante is gone. >> We became known as oh that school that has that kid. >> 74 yd into the end zone goes Alante Taylor. >> It did kind of become the traveling Alante show. Everywhere we went, you know, there were people that were coming really just to watch him. >> 35 30 25 20 AL NATE TAYLOR SAYS GET AWAY FROM ME. TOUCHDOWN ALANTE TAYLOR. >> We were the, you know, the Coffee County [music] Elante Taylor for a while and it was a lot of fun. >> Then we played a playoff game against Marville. People around the state know back in the day Marville was a really tough team. He took a play 80 yards >> in motion. They fake it and Alante's off to the races. Alante Taylor is gone. Alante Taylor 80 yd to the house. Nobody's ever ran 80 yards on them in one play. Not only did he ran run 80 yard, he was running away from their guys. >> And Alante Taylor, the kid can run and he got past them and he was off to the races. >> I've seen I haven't seen anybody quicker than number six for Coffee County. >> No way. >> Alante, you know, with us being kind of little old Coffee County, Alante had to make a lot of believers out of people. >> He never shied away from a challenge in the weight room. >> So this is our weight room. Uh it's new. is totally different and better than what we had when I was here. >> In the weight room, you were assigned based off your your maxes. If you were the lower match, you won the rack six. And if you were the top max, you were rack one. DBs, receivers, and quarterbacks probably didn't make it past rack three if they were lucky. But Elante said, "That's not rack three wasn't for me. I I want to be rack one. I want to be in the first rack. When people walk in the weight room and we're working out, the first thing they see is me." And I was a scrawny kid, but I always wanted to be in the first rack. If you was in the first rack, you had the best power [music] clean. But I think when we started, I might have started in like the sixth or seventh rack. And every day, I would look in the front and I'm like, I'm I'm stronger than this. Like, I can get up there. I can get up there. >> We got video of him doing 315 [music] power clean perfectly. I think that showed other other teammates, hey, it didn't matter what size you were, you could do it. >> And that I feel like spoke volume to the team [music] because I was able to show them like, yeah, I'm scrawny and things, but I'm strong and you can count on me. And before you know it, I made my way to the first rack as a freshman >> to to compete with him. And the guys wanting to be like him. They wanted to to try to beat him. They wanted to try to uh just be in the same area that he was. um you know he made everybody better. >> I think the team they they took that and they didn't look at me as arrogant or cocky. It was just I want to be the best. >> So first coaching Alante was something that I've not I not hadn't experienced prior to we have a lot of good athletes here and we have a lot of good kids. U but he was just different and and you knew that in the weight room. You knew that in the classroom. >> My name is Christy Stewart. I had the privilege of being Alante's math teacher his junior and senior year for algebra 2 and pre-calculus. >> Miss Stewart was so funny. She's so awesome. She was I don't know what it was. Like [music] she just is like the moment I walked into the classroom, I just knew that she was probably [music] like the best teacher I would have. If I could have like three moms, she would be my third mom. >> So he was very likable. He had a good sense of humor. I remember one day um it was game day. I have a video of it. He had on a pink jersey. We were doing pink out night for breast cancer and I was giving them a test that day and he had borrowed one of my pencils. And in order for me [music] to get the pencils back from the students, I taped roses to them. And so I made an announcement after the class [music] had started that I had decided to uh postpone the test until the next week. Um, and he got up with his rose pencil and [music] approached my podium and knelt down on one knee and presented me back my rose. [laughter] >> And he's like, "Mr. Stewart, you're the best." He's like, "Thank you so much. It's game day. I'm trying to focus on the game." And so, [music] um, he just had a great personality. He was very likable. And again, he had a good sense of humor and blended in well with everyone in the class. >> Miss Stewart's the [music] best. I love that woman. And so when I talk about a village, I had those people to always remind me who I am, but also where I come from and how I have the things that I have. Those times that Alante was [music] here, people came out because they wanted to see what's next play was he [music] going to make, what's that, you know, special play that's going to win us a game or, you know, going to be like, "Oh, wow. That's a Sports Center top 10." You know, those kind of plays that he made. >> I was super excited to just show everyone. um I already had the the the inside um drive to want to go play D1 football. Um and so from that moment I just knew like I was going to make it from the small town and I was going to show every kid that you know it's possible. >> ALANTE ALANTE RHETT RAIDER touchdown >> Taylor PICKS IT UP HEADS TO THE LEFT SIDE. HE'S GOT ROOM TOUCHDOWN. ALANTE TAYLOR SCORES. OH MY GOODNESS. ALANTE TAYLOR IS A superstar in Manchester, TENNESSEE. WOW. WOW IS RIGHT. >> It was a who's who of college football that was recruiting Alante. >> You know, we always have coaches walk in here all the time, but when you get the the John Harbaugh, the Kirby [music] Smarts, you know, the the Puits, you know, all those co big time coaches walk in, it's a little [music] different. It means a little more. It's a little fun. Well, I just knew that we wanted him on our team, period. So when I got the job at the University of Tennessee, [music] Elante was one of the first prospects that I contacted and he was close by. So it was [music] a guy that we wanted to focus on at Tennessee, >> Georgia, Tennessee, pretty much everyone in the SEC [music] at one point or another stopped in. It was it was pretty much a nationwide recruiting process uh for [music] Alante. >> How was the recruiting process from a parents perspective? >> Stressful. >> [laughter] >> I mean, it was school after school after school that wanted him. So, like she work, she'd be working, I be working, and we knew he was safe with Coach Ski. We didn't have to worry about anything with Coach Ski. >> The reason why uh Coach Ocowski made me a Red Raider was really off [music] of his connections. Um, I heard about him when we hired him. Um, I heard where he was coming from. I heard of players that he coached with Mike Bone [music] and just by that I knew that that's all I needed. Just an opportunity. I knew for a fact that I made the best decision by staying home and trusting into him and coach Mueller. Um [music] they just, you know, they didn't promise me a lot of offers, but they promised me that if I did what I needed to do on the field that, you know, my opportunities would [music] be there. >> Best coach he had, one that believed in him, one that got him where he is today with, uh, you know, with his work. Uh but if it wasn't for him giving him the chances that he did, uh helping him with the recruiting process at his age and us, you know, doing what we had to do to get him there, uh it probably wouldn't have been possible. >> And he he just kind of told me like he's been in college, he's been around players, and I had everything it took to go to college on a full ride. And so, you know, he [music] called me end of my freshman season. My first ever scholarship was from Troy. [music] And I told him on the phone that I want to commit and he told me, "Not yet, T." He was like, "Be patient. Trust the process." [music] >> You know, Lante had sat me down one time and told me that there was a rumor that Coach Skowski was going to leave. Um, [music] and he said, "I just don't want to play for anybody else." He says, "It's either you, Coach Mack, or Coach Skowski. [music] If it's neither one of you, I'm going to go somewhere else." And that kind of showed you how much respect he had for him. Um, the fact that he's not playing for anybody else. My coach means a lot to me because if [music] it wasn't for him, I would have never went to college. Um, there's a lot of talented players in the world, [music] but if you don't have the right resources and the right connections, it's so hard to get looked at. And God just placed him at the right place at the right time [music] to allow me to get those opportunities and get those looks. Ryan coming from uh the college ranks knew a lot about how to get a kid on the radar, especially in a situation like Alante was in at a smaller kind of no-name school. This is kind of the approach. This is the camp we need to go to. Um you know, you need to kind of take this visit, you know, unofficial, you take this, you know, official visit. Um, you know, a big shout out really to getting Elante on board and and kind of on people's radar uh was uh Derek [music] Mason when he was at Vanderbilt. >> Yeah, he was committed to Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt uh I think was the second or third offer that he received and decided that hey, I think I'm going to commit to Vanderbilt. >> They recognized very quickly, Coach Mason [music] did, uh that this kid was going to be special. >> Even though he he he enjoyed Vanderbilt, he enjoyed that process. Uh, I really feel like he wanted [music] Tennessee, like that was his ultimate goal. He wanted to represent his state, um, the state team. Um, and I think that's what he felt like that's when he can have the I've done [music] it. >> When I got the job, I tried to get Coach Fulmer to go out on the road and recruit. And who could sell Tennessee better than Philip Fulmer? >> Philip Fulmer was the University of Tennessee head football coach, athletic director, and I played here. Well, I'm I'm from that area in Tennessee. I'm from Winchester, which is a neighboring county to Manchester. And I went with the coach on actually had to take the darn test, you know, the recruiting test to do it after all those years. I had to pass the test, but uh went on the recruiting trip with Alante. And so I got to meet him, you know, as a prospect. You know, you [music] hear so much about coach Fulmer, a coach who has done a lot for the University of Tennessee and has done so much for just the state of [music] Tennessee. To see me as a player who could be an impactful player for the university uh meant a lot to me. Um I took it very personal. >> I remember being here the day that um coach and coach uh Philip Fulmer came. We they opened that up to the public for a little bit and people were lined up the door out the fieldhouse to see, [music] you know, we had celebrities in the house, but they were also excited for Alante's opportunity [music] >> that that meeting and at the school. Uh it it was the who's who of of Manchester, Tennessee. Couldn't have gone any better. Um I felt >> we tried to stay out of that process on which one he uh picked because he was the one that had to be there. You know, I think Lante enjoyed, you know, that process. Um, and then eventually he knew kind of when Tennessee came in and they offered, I think he we finally realized, you know, that's kind of where home is. >> Man, I could have went anywhere. I had so many offers, but when it came down to it, I just wanted to represent my state. >> I'm all in. Let's bring Tennessee football back and go big orange. [applause] I wanted to show that players from small towns can [music] go to big schools. In Manchester, everybody's Tennessee Evolve fans. And for me to be able to go there and and represent Coffee County in the way that I did, um, it means a lot. [applause] >> [music] >> And I was close to family, not too close, about a 2 and 1/2 hour drive, but it was home. And there wasn't even that there was a head coach hired and then that was it. There was no position coaches or none of that. But, you know, in my spirit, I knew [music] that's where I needed to be. And I feel like to this day, I still made the best decision by going there. You know, for freshman when they come into a program, they're trying to find their way. >> Jeremy Puit got him to where he is today. Jeremy Puit switched up the game, told him he wanted him to be cornerback and [music] that upset Tate. >> Well, I don't know how Elante recalls this, but the way I recall it, he wasn't that willing to [music] change positions. >> I was mad. I was so mad um when coach came into the team meeting and said that he was going to make some arrangements [music] for a couple guys for three days of practice. I'm obviously not thinking of myself cuz I [music] never played defense before and so he moved me and then Tom's going through. I'm out there [music] getting beat on plays. I'm so competitive though. So I'm trying to I'm getting so mad, so frustrated not understanding like cornerback technique and these guys are fast. They they know where they're going. I'm having to react. and I just didn't like it. So over time, I just told kept telling him like, "Coach, I'm ready to go back to receiver." >> We made a deal. Uh there's 15 practices in the spring. He practiced seven times at wide receiver and the last eight he practiced at defensive back. And then our agreement was we would decide once spring training is over with. >> And he sat me down one day and said, "When you watch the draft this year, I want you to come back and tell me how many receivers [music] get drafted and how many corners get drafted." and he said, "I believe that you can be a first round draft pick as a corner." And so I I hung in there, started as a true freshman. Um and and history writes itself [music] from there. >> The pride of the Southland band forms that team you are swimming in Southern College football. >> I can never forget my first game in Neland. um the ball walk first um tradition um as a recruit, you know, you're kind of like watching it, seeing it, and you're like like, "Yeah, I'm going to commit to Tennessee and I'm going to walk down the ball walk." And to go from, you know, Coffee County um to to that stage [music] was a big difference. Um but Puit and those guys, they got us prepared to be able to play in front of 102,000 [music] people. Not once afraid, not once scared, but definitely fully prepared to go out there and, [music] you know, uh, do the job that I was asked to do. >> Alante Taylor, he read that perfectly. Alante Taylor comes up with a loose ball and Alante Taylor picks it off and returns it for a score. Broken up over there by Elante Taylor. Outstanding hustle from their leader on the back end, Alante Taylor. Breaking news [music] on the UT campus and the firing of head football coach Jeremy Puit. >> Man, my my college journey was was different. >> Tennessee has a new head coach. The Balls [music] named Josh Hypel as their new head man. >> Going into my senior year, I had opportunities. I could have went to any school. Ultimately just came back [music] down to like why am I here at Tennessee? And then when coach Hypel came in, it all just made sense. >> Didn't know a lot about Alante uh before I got here. I know that he was a returner, had played a lot of football, and uh somebody that was going to be important to our successes as we move forward. >> Um a coach who's done at a high level, uh had highscoring offenses. [music] >> We had Alante make a choice to trust our our coaching staff as [music] we came in. Without Alante, we don't turn this this program the way around the way that uh that we have in in 21 and and 22. But when coach Hibbo came in, he he truly gave the leaders of the group the [music] keys and he allowed the leaders to lead the team and he was open to criticism. He was open to dialogue. [music] He was open to what works for the University of Tennessee while he brought his own um winning ways. And ultimately guys bought in. >> And I think for one of the things that allowed Alante to to play free is understanding that I had played the game. Uh the game is never going to be perfect. uh to go make plays. That means um [music] you might get beat on a route, too. But it's never about the previous play. It's always about the next play. And Alante's mindset uh was certainly that as we went into that that first season uh together and a dynamic playmaker um that's hyper competitive during the week in preparation and then goes and plays free on, you know, Saturday afternoons for us. >> Was there a game that was highlight worthy that sticks out to you? But it was the Kentucky game, you know, where where it was going back and forth. They were ranked. We weren't ranked. We were four and four as [music] a as a as a program. You know, we had to give to a bowl game. He made a great play uh defensively and and and took the interception for a touchdown. >> INTERCEPTED. LOT OF GREEN GRASS FOR TAYLOR. And he will take it the other way for the pick six. Alante Taylor, the senior from Manchester, Tennessee. >> I loved it when he got an interception. [music] He ran it all the way down for a touchdown and he did a shimmy. [laughter] >> Did you guys go to UT a lot to watch him play? >> Every home game. >> Every single one you went to. >> Yes. >> It was something like like a dream that came true. Something that, you know, we had to see ourselves. This is him. This is what he wanted. Seeing him run out of the tea, [music] it was special. it just something special. >> Right from day one, he was the the first [music] guy that stepped up in front of the team, was able to, you know, verbalize, take command, control, uh, but do it in a way where you could tell that he garnered respect from the guys that were inside of that locker room. [music] They trusted him and that they loved him. And as I got a chance to get around him, uh, even more, you could see that [music] that poured out of his skin uh, as far as how he felt and how he treated his teammates. the success that he had in the games that he played in uh mainly the SEC games and his productivity that he had shown his senior year by the interest that the that we were getting from the NFL that he was going to probably be a high draft pick. >> Coach Martinez gave me I'll say the edge. Coach Martinez recruited me as a as a young kid. Coach Martinez was at Tennessee [music] when Coach Jones was there. And to hear the spark that coach Martinez brought to the room and the excitement [music] and uh just the techniques, just things that just who he is as a person, you know, he gets to know the player. He gets to know the man um before anything else. And our relationship allowed me to go out there and play free [music] and and that ultimately is the reason why I had the edge that I had and the reason why I had my best year. >> The general landscape inside of college football's changed a bunch. what young guys are are looking forward to [music] um at the next level is the right time >> and we knew that that uh his best football's ahead of him. >> Alante did everything the right way uh while he was here at Tennessee. Just wanted to make sure that he had u a foolproof plan of how he was going to handle things [music] uh in preparation for uh the combine for pro day and draft day. My guy, Alante Taylor, the deuce. So happy to see this young man here. Graduate of the University of Tennessee. See him come a long way and see what he did with a brand new coaching staff. Bought in immediately and really helped this team have a much better season than what was expected. I think he transitions to safety, [cheering] Daniel. Yeah, >> from what I've seen from him, but a terrific kid, going to be a great locker room kid, and I think he's going to make someone's ball club. I believed that I did everything that I I could for [music] the University of Tennessee. I do believe that I gave my all to Tennessee. I do believe that I left everything on the field. And so at that point, it was all [music] in God's hands. And um I ultimately decided that it was time for me to go. I I I beted on myself. [music] I have been betting on myself since I was a kid. And this would not be the time to go against that. But when I got into the draft room or into the rooms, I was able to [music] tell the X and O's and the Y's and the Y knots. And I think teams were were a little surprised just going into a room and leaving the room and hoping that they [music] love the person that was just sitting in that chair. And God did the rest. >> All right, let's kick off round two. By way of trade, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are on the clock. >> All right, we have now gotten started. >> Draft night. Um, putting it together, it was exciting. I did [music] it in Nashville, but before the draft started, I definitely stood up in front of everyone and I thanked them for coming. >> When he called me [music] and he said, "I want you to come to my NFL draft party." It just sunk into me that this kid is doing something bigger than I ever dreamed. >> I didn't want any pictures. I didn't want any videos [music] of anyone posting that they were at my draft party because there was no guarantees that I was going to go day two. We didn't know where he was going to land, where he was going to go, but we did know that we would be at all the game. >> We're back here in Las Vegas, Nevada. Those are your last 10 picks. Saints fans, settle in because we're about to get the pick. >> So, the draft is going on. [music] The draft's going on. And I'm understanding I'm within the top 10 corners um available for the draft. And I'm seeing corners [music] come off the board, corners come off the board, and I'm like like my name's getting closer. Like I just felt it in my spirit. I like my name's getting closer. >> His phone rang and I had a gut feeling because he he put his [music] head down and he started crying. So I started recording >> and my phone starts ringing and uh I'm [music] ultimately thinking like who's playing on my phone? Like this is not the time to play with me. >> Alante. >> Hey, what's up man? >> Didn't see. >> How we doing? >> Got a minute. Got a minute. You good? You good? >> That's awesome, man. That's awesome. You got a bunch of family there with you. That's so awesome. Hey, listen. We're excited for you. Um, we're about to turn your name in right now. You're about to be a New Orleans Saint >> and when I say everything went mute >> with the 49th pick in the 2022 NFL draft. The New Orleans Saints select >> Elante Taylor, defensive back, Tennessee. It was probably the first time in my life that I got to [music] feel a moment within the moment. That was a night that I'll forever [music] remember every single detail, every emotion, every feeling. Um because that was the day that my life changed. Um and that was the day that, you know, I knew that all my sacrifices, [music] uh it mattered. >> It get Good. I'm good. You good? >> Granddaddy, what's up, man? >> What's up, dog? How you doing? >> See you, man. Hey, dog. [music] >> Welcome home. >> I'm so glad to be back. >> What's up, man? You good? What's up? What's up? What's up? >> What's up? You good? >> What's up, dog? >> Coming home is one thing, but inspiring somebody around you is something completely different. and you have done both of those things. >> I've always wanted to be the kid who gave back [music] to his community. And I just felt like, you know, a camp would be the best way to do that. >> We in one-on- ones, quarterback got all day. You get beat on the post in a game, you got to post safety. Feel what I'm saying? I know [music] when I was a kid, if if I had an NFL guy throw a camp here, I would have came every year and I would have just tried to show [music] him like, "Bro, I can be where you at one day." And so I just want to give these kids [music] hope, man. I want to give these kids some type of faith. >> Hey, finish on three. One, two, three. >> Let's do it. Let's do it. Rotate it. Rotate it. Rotate it. Rotate. >> We are so incredibly proud to call you one of our own. We have been cheering you on and we will continue to do so right here in Tennessee. So on behalf of the chamber, Alante, your character and determination have inspired countless young people in our community. We're so proud of your accomplishments and thrilled to see you continue your journey here in Tennessee. Once a Red Raider, >> always >> always proud. No doubt. >> Presented with appreciation by the Manchester Chamber of Commerce. >> Thank you so much. [applause] Thank you. Appreciate Tom. [applause] >> Alante, you know, when [music] he comes back to Manchester, you know, he is a celebrity. What's up, big dog? >> What's going on? >> How you doing, man? >> Man, I'm proud of you. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> So proud of you. [music] >> Thank you. >> I was so happy when I read that, man. >> I'm glad to be back. >> Oh, it's it's got to be wild, though. >> Full circle. full circle moment, man. >> It's so great to see him care and come back. >> So, when you break at the cone, when you break, look at the goalpost and then snap it down and come down. >> And I said this at his senior banquet that, you know, if my son could turn out like Alante, [music] the kind of person that Alante is, not not his physical talent, just the the the person that [music] he is, I would be so proud uh as a parent. >> So, this is Coach Mueller. He was our DC um when I was here in high school. And so him >> and always talked to you about playing defense. >> He did talk to me [laughter] about playing defense. Uh but him and uh rest his soul, our head coach, Ron Socowski, they came together. Um so these are these guys are big part of reasons why why I am where I am now with scholarships and all that stuff. So appreciate these guys, man. >> So proud of you, man. >> Thank you. >> So proud of you. >> Thank you. >> No doubt. >> Tighten up. >> Tighten up. [laughter] What up, bro? Taking it all in. [laughter] >> I'm taking it all in. Do >> you ever think I'm just for being where you be standing at today? >> Nah, I was just I just wanted to go to Austin P. [laughter] I just wanted to get a scholarship to Austin P, bro. Like, obviously, you [music] know, not a lot of people was going like crazy crazy big schools. So, I was like, "Hey, y'all can give me an awesome piece, full ride, [music] I'mma take that." And in my mind, I'm going to the NFL. Like, but you do. >> It worked out exactly how I was supposed to. >> Full circle. >> Yeah. >> Back home. >> Back home. That's so crazy. >> Now I get an opportunity. I get to watch him every Sunday. Um whether I'm there at the games or at home, watching on TV, I get to [music] watch the kid I coach and the kid I have a great relationship with. uh the kid that I love play on a field that we all had dreams of playing on. >> Be ready. Be ready. Be ready. Everybody get stay ready. >> Stay ready. Next up, get ready. Get ready. >> When I think of Alante Taylor, I think of of how he impacts the people around him, but I also think about his love uh for his family. New child sent me a picture uh the day that was born, and uh you can just tell that he's got great love uh for the people around him. Yeah. Say hi to a camera. That that baby. >> I think being a dad is the the biggest change of my life. Armani [music] is everything to me. Armani is my heartbeat. She gives me a whole different viewpoint on life because everyone loves self so much. But then the moment that you have a kid, you you realize that you can love somebody else way more than you love yourself. I know he's going to show her, [music] you know, the way he's going to love her. Um, I'm just happy for him. >> And my fiance, she's allowed me to learn. She's been patient with me. >> Is that what I think it is? >> Come here. >> And there's no rule book to life on how to be a mom or how to be a dad. But for both of us, [music] we we've been rooted with the right things. Love, joy, happiness, faith. >> A wa. >> Thank you. >> Thanks a lot. >> How old is this? [music] >> 6 months. >> New years, baby. >> Yeah. >> Uh his love and passion [music] for the state of Tennessee, having the opportunity to come back to Nashville uh and be here with the Titans and and [music] uh help that organization continue to grow. when he got to Tennessee, I was like, I get my team back, you know, which I've always been a Titans fan, but you know, I have to follow my son, [music] you know, wherever he goes, you know, that's what I am. But I'm so excited that he's back at um Tennessee. Yeah, tightened up. >> So, now coming to the Titans, what does it mean to play all three levels of football in the state of Tennessee? It worked out so many ways that I could have told [music] you how I wanted it to play out, but I'm so glad it didn't play out the way that my mind [music] wanted it to. >> First one. First one. You see it? You feel it? >> Going [music] to high school here, going to the University of Tennessee, and now [music] being back in Tennessee, playing in the National Football League, it it's hard to explain. You know, I never allowed anyone to tell me I couldn't do it. And so to have a full circle moment and play in front of my family once again at at the highest level, it can't get any better than this. So now it's a fresh start. Um, and now I just got to go out there and take advantage of the opportunity and and lead this team in the [music] best way possible. >> Hey man, let's do it, bro. Flash backtoback days. Let's make today count. DB block [music] on three. 1 2 3 block. take every little loss that I've had um learn that I learned from and bring it here and allow me to become the best leader [music] I can on the defensive side. >> Hey, first half y'all boys we were hooping. We had come out second half stronger this time though. >> I've been watching Alante since since his days at Tennessee and Alante really stood out. You know, just the passion that he plays with, you know, the the length and the violence and speed that he plays with uh really fit this defense. I believe we have a great [music] team and I feel like I came here at the right time with coach Salah and the culture change and the guys who are coming in. The timing's always [music] been perfect. So, I won't I won't start second guessing anything now. Um, I'm right where I'm supposed to be. Welcome to week two of the preeason. Welcome to Titans and Seahawks on a Sunday night in Music City. [screaming] the squad. >> Hey, brother. >> What's up? >> How you doing? >> Good. >> How are you? >> My favorite. >> How are you? >> Good. I'm good. So good to see you. >> Long time. >> You know what? They came to Columbia County Friday night. And they drugg us all back in here. >> Oh, really? I didn't know they came out Friday. >> Yeah. How was the interview? >> I can't wait to see that. Yeah. You see, we got everything. >> It's so good to see y'all. >> Dream come true. Seeing these pillows, man. >> Dream come true. >> He will go down being known as the person who [music] stayed humble over all the hype. He's just a great man and I'm so proud [music] uh to be associated with him and to see what kind of man he's grown into >> and this whole journey and this whole process [music] has been about legacy and to know that this many people can speak on me means that I'm leaving a [music] mark. >> I'm going to be there Friday though. I've always wanted to do [music] something like this because I feel like I have a story to get out and um [snorts] I know there's a lot of kids who have been through things I've been through and [snorts] they lose hope. Um, but I know I'm not the only person in the world who has a story. I know I'm not the only person in the world who's been through bad and came to this other side. Right. >> Makes it all worthwhile right there. >> What are you doing? >> Made a post before [music] and I said bought my mom's house. I bought my dream car. I signed a new contract, a big contract, [music] but it wasn't enough. So, I'm sitting there wondering like, when will it be enough? The one word that one of my my agents [music] sent me was legacy. It's all about the legacy. >> Look, sweets. >> My goal was to play [music] for the Tennessee Titans and to come here and finish it [music] here and start and like just get it the right way. And when I run out of that tunnel, I'm going be excited. [music] I think that will be the time when I feel like I'm kind of like signing [music] my name on like the last dotted line. >> Changed a lot, huh? Since the new coffee, though. >> It's all right. >> You know I'm bringing a boom, though. >> All right, let's bring it. >> You know I'm bringing a boom. >> That completes [music] the full circle, right? like that completes the circle from high school to college to in high school getting to come here to the stadium [music] for Tennessee player of the week to like actually being on the field um and [music] playing in front of my family in front of the Tennessee fans. Um I made it happen. I know where we in the big house today, bro. We going to run around AND GO HOME. You get what I'm saying? >> Now it's [music] time to go out there and and show it. >> HEY. HEY. 3 1 2 3 >> and be all about everything [music] um that we've talked about and that I've talked about. Um all gas, no break. And starting at quarterback for your Tennessee Titans, number 24, Alante Taylor. [screaming]