As a defensive tackle for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Marlon Taylor knows he's not going to get a bunch of sacks. It's not his job in the Mocs' scheme.
But occasionally an opportunity arises, and failing in that moment is something that still sits with him.
"There was a game last year and I got free," Taylor recalled this week. "I just didn't wrap up the quarterback and he flipped out, and I was thinking, 'That could have been my sack, the one sack I was supposed to make.'"
In no way does that one moment diminish the value of the 6-foot-2, 322-pound redshirt junior, who finished the 2022 season with 4.5 tackles for loss and a sack after starting all 11 games. Through seven games this season for the Mocs (5-2, 4-1 Southern Conference) — who are nationally ranked in both Football Championship Subdivision polls (20th by coaches, 21st by media) as they prepare to host East Tennessee State (2-4, 1-2) at 1 p.m. Saturday at Finley Stadium — Taylor has been been involved in a tackle for loss in six of them, including a sack in the 47-24 win at Samford on Sept. 23.
Not that he remembers the sack. Again: It's not his job.
Taylor has enjoyed this season because of the progress he has seen in himself as well as overall improvement by the Mocs, which has led to him "having faith" in teammates.
"Everyone likes fun things when you improve," Taylor said. "Not more than winning or losing, but when you see yourself improving or getting better, then that's always good."
His contributions have helped the UTC defense not miss a beat in terms of backfield pressure despite the loss of three-time All-America defensive lineman Devonnsha Maxwell, who in his final college season last fall reached 37.5 career sacks to break the record for the Mocs and the SoCon. With the 2023 regular season more than halfway gone, the Mocs' 20 sacks lead the SoCon and rank 13th nationally.
Taylor's role is both valued by his teammates and respected by opposing coaches. He was an All-SoCon second-team selection by the coaches a year ago, and those within the UTC program say he is even better this year.
"Marlon is a big part of our defense up front and really as a whole," All-America edge rusher Jay Person said. "He gets pressure on quarterbacks in the pass game, but especially in run stopping. He's an all-around player, and he's a big key of what we do. You can tell when he's not in the game."
Taylor has been a regular on the dean's list and athletic director's honor roll at UTC, and his football IQ has also improved.
"He's become a smarter football player," UTC coach Rusty Wright said. "Last year was good for him, but he understands the schematics in there. He gives himself an opportunity because he's so big and so strong, but his leverage is phenomenal, which helps him, and that's the thing, is he's so understanding. He's done a much better job of understanding the game more in there, and that's how he's got better.
"He's still big, strong, powerful, he's been that since he's been here, but I think that he understands how to react during things. He's smart, though, and if you tell him what to do, he's going to do it exactly how you tell him to do it. He's a good player, a great young man and great to be around."
And he does it by being unapologetically himself. Taylor is typically seen smiling during practices, but he isn't out seeking awards or attention. His mentality is quite simple: "If it happens, it happens."
Kind of like getting sacks.
"I know I should, but I'm not expecting to get the sacks," he said. "I'm happy when I help my teammates get one. So if I take on a double team or if I push the pocket and I see the quarterback scramble and then see someone else get a sack, that's when I know I did my job, so I'm happy. But if I get a sack, I feel like I must have been the last resort."
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com.