EIU assistant coach Taylor, defensive line get down to work in fall camp

Second-year Eastern Illinois defensive line coach Carlif Taylor delivers a teaching point during Saturday night’s practice at O’Brien Field. (Photo by Barry Bottino, PrairieStatePigskin.com)

By Dan Verdun

CHARLESTON – Carlif Taylor isn’t one to just sit back and bark instructions.

“Part of being a leader is more than just being a boss,” the second-year Eastern Illinois defensive line coach told Prairie State Pigskin. “The best way to lead is up front, and I want to show these guys that I’m not going to teach them anything that I wouldn’t do. I also want to show them that I’m in there with them for the dog days.”

How deeply does Taylor go to illustrate a point?

“I’m a little bit of a head case. Sometimes I put on cleats and shoulder pads just to see how these guys pop,” he said.

Redshirt junior James Collins transferred to EIU this spring from College of the Sequoias in California. Taylor was a major factor in Collins’ decision to join the Panthers.

“The biggest things that pulled me here were first, the (Nov. 22) game against Alabama in Tuscaloosa because I’ve always been one for a challenge and a fight. No. 2 is the notoriety of our D-line coach. He’s been to the league (NFL) and he’s trained guys that have gone to the league,” Collins said.

Taylor – who played collegiately at Division II Southern Connecticut State – spent four seasons in pro camps, three of those with the New York Giants. 

That resume certainly strengthens his credibility with players.

“I honestly think that’s my biggest super power,” Taylor said, “being that I played at a smaller school and was an undrafted guy and played in the league for a little minute. I know the ins and outs of the technique that you need within the group as well as being able to coach it with newer techniques.”

During his time in the pros, Taylor built strong connections with a number of current NFL assistant coaches including Steve Spagnuolo (Kansas City), A.C. Carter (Carolina) and Jacques Cesaire (Cleveland), along with former Eastern assistant Adam Morris, also with Browns. 

“There’s plenty of coaches I can network with,” Taylor said. “For me to get instant access to whatever techniques they’re teaching along with NFL (video) tape is so valuable.”

Retooled roster

There are plenty of new players on the Eastern roster this fall, but perhaps nowhere more so than along the defensive line. 

“We graduated nine guys and had a defensive end go into the (transfer) portal, so bringing in 10 players in the spring semester was a challenge,” Taylor said. “Not only do you want to bring in guys that can play at this level now, but you want guys who are going to have the right chemistry and the right fit for the room.”

Head coach Chris Wilkerson credits Taylor for helping to deliver and develop those players.

“Carlif has grown a lot as a football coach. He did an outstanding job of recruiting. He really hustled and worked his tail off and has brought some more talented guys here,” he said.

Those new players have mixed with EIU’s returnees, including redshirt sophomore Trevon Piggee.

“I see my role as a leader,” the St. Louis native said. “I’ve been in this program for three years now. Coach Wilk and the staff are teaching. I feel like I know the program and the way he wants it to be run.”

The Panthers also bring back graduate student Drake Van Hyfte and redshirt senior Alton Jefferson. Redshirt sophomore Cole Silzer returns after missing last season with an injury.

Wilkerson said that Samuel Robles, a transfer from Tyler (Texas) Junior College, has impressed thus far in camp.

“I’m thrilled with the improvement in that room,” Wilkerson said. 

In an ideal world, the fourth-year head coach would like to rotate 10-12 players on the defensive line.

“You build your football teams inside-out, front-to-back,” Wilkerson said. “If you’re strong on both lines of scrimmage, you’ve got a chance (to win). All the championship teams that I’ve coached or been a part of at any level that have been very good up front on both lines of scrimmage have been very strong.

“If you’re not good up front, it’s going to be a long day.”

Dan Verdun is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin. He has written four books: NIU Huskies Football, EIU Panthers Football, ISU Redbirds Football and SIU Salukis Football.

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