CLARKSDALE– Coahoma Football made waves on defense this season. Davion Taylor made a big impact by making plays on the field and making the grades off the field. Taylor has offers from the University of Missouri, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and Arkansas. He has verbally committed to the University of Colorado.
Taylor had a very humble beginning to his Coahoma Football career. He was a very talented basketball player from South Pike High School in Mangolia, MS. When his basketball career was over, Davion had a hunger to play football. He tried to walk on at various schools and had no other options at the time.
Coahoma Head Coach
Steven Miller called South Pike's coach looking for players to try out for Coahoma Football. Taylor answered the call and made the team as a walk-on. He started the last three games of the season.
"Davion is an intelligent and hardworking young man," said Miller. "He has a tough decision to make. Wherever he chooses we will support him 100%."
Taylor knew that he would have to work hard in the off season just to become a better player. His hard work paid off. Taylor maintained 3.6 GPA in all his courses.
Coahoma awarded Davion with a football scholarship. He also earned the starting position as outside linebacker.
"I would like to thank Coahoma for giving me an opportunity to play football," said Taylor. "I came a long way and I'm just thankful."
The 6'3 and 220-pound linebacker was second on the team in tackles. He had 87 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, three pass breakups and one interception. He had a breakout performance against Northeast Mississippi Community College with 13 tackles, including three tackles for loss.
"I thank God for that Defensive Line. You can't be great linebackers without a great D line," said Taylor. "I decided to work my butt off just to be great."
Coach Miller has coached a player similar to Taylor's situation. Damon Harrison didn't play organized sports until he got to High School. He played basketball until his 11th grade year.
Harrison grew to 6'4 and 350 pounds. He played football his junior and senior year at Boston Academy in Lake Charles, La.
Harrison was named the team's Offensive and Defensive MVP as well as the Offensive Lineman of the Year. He also picked up first-team All-Southwest Louisiana honors. Harrison wasn't even recruited anywhere.
But Harrison was determined to find a way to better his life. So, he sent emails to coaches asking for an opportunity and promising to prove himself worthy of a scholarship.
The only coach that would give him a chance was Miller. At that time, Miller was an assistant coach at Northwest Mississippi Community College.
Harrison felt uncomfortable at Northwest and was ready to come back to Louisiana. He signed a release form and about to start a full-time job at Wal-Mart.
Miller moved on from Northwest and took a coaching job at William Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He reached out to Harrison again and this time offered a scholarship to William Penn.
Harrison started all 44 games that he played. Harrison concluded his career with 224 tackles, six sacks, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and four passes breakups. When the NFL draft came around, Harrison was told he had grades as high as the fourth round and as low as a tryout player.
Harrison was an undrafted free agent for the New York Jets. He made the 53-man roster in Year 1. Then he was a full-time starter by Year 2.
From 2013 to 2015, Harrison started all 48 games as the Jets finished No. 3, No. 5 and No. 2 in run defense. In 2016, The New York Giants signed Harrison as a free agent. Harrison is currently anchoring the Giants Defensive Line.
Taylor and Harrison's stories shows how individuals don't give up on their dreams. It also shows that you need that olive branch to achieve your goals. Coach Miller opens his heart and soul to anybody that wants to better their lives.
