9/21/2004 football Edit

Taggart Closing in on a Decision

Jerry Meyer

RivalsHoops.com Recruiting Analyst

Shawn Taggart, the No. 48 ranked player in the Rivals150, had some reservations about traveling to Ames, Iowa, for a visit to Iowa State, but the 6-foot-8, 215-pound combo forward from Richmond, Va., and prepping at Mt. Zion Academy had a pleasant visit and said Iowa State is still in the mix.

“It was good,” said Taggart about his visit to Iowa State. “It was better than I thought it would be. A lot of people told me not to go, that it would be boring there, but I had a good time there.

“The football game was crazy. They even had one fan that was leading cheers spelling out my name.

As Taggart put it, Iowa state is still a candidate, but a couple other schools in his top five might not still be candidates.

“I will take my next visit to Virginia Tech,” he said. “After that I don’t know. It depends on how that visit goes for whether I visit Florida State and St. John’s. I might be ready to commit.”

Taggart has already had a very successful visit to Memphis, and many speculate that Memphis is the school to beat for Taggart. Taggart, however, was reluctant to reveal a leader, but it certainly looks like Florida State and St. John’s are playing catch up to the other three schools on his list.

Taggart had more praise for the Iowa State program.

“It’s already at a good level, especially with more good recruits coming in. If I decide on Iowa State, it will be a good situation for me as far as playing time. Also, their four man plays a lot on the wing and then will also post up a smaller defender. They play a four out/one in offense that fits my style.”

Taggart, who is a long, aggressive player and unafraid to mix it up inside, has the athleticism and skill base to be a terrific small forward. He certainly, however, needs to refine his skills with the ball and improve his range before he is ready to be a small forward at the next level. Already a very good power forward, he will be even better at that position as he gets stronger. Bottom line, Taggart is a very good combo forward prospect.