Passing Time: With Taylor Graham, QB, Wheaton North and Ohio State

July 7, 6:39 PMChicago High School Sports ExaminerPhil English

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Wheaton North senior QB Taylor Graham will attend Ohio State next fall.

The recruitment process of Wheaton North quarterback Taylor Graham could have provided some of the best drama of the upcoming Illinois high school football season.

But in the end, Graham chose to stay home. And it proved to be no surprise.

Born at a hospital at The Ohio State University, Graham is Buckeye through and through. His dad, Kent, was the signal caller for Ohio State when Graham came into the world. Dad would go on to an 11 year pro football career.

Naturally Taylor, Kent’s 6-foot-4, 215-pound son, found himself in his dad’s footsteps. Midway through his sophomore year at Wheaton North – a one-time QB factory that previously had included Kent as well as former pro Chuck Long – Taylor took over the the starting QB role. He only played in five games his junior year, where he threw for 469-yards and six touchdowns against one interception before a broken ankle sidelined his season.

The 2009-10 campaign was supposed to be his coming out party. But given his size and heritage, he was soon fielding offers from Michigan State, Iowa, Wisconsin, Arkansas, UCLA, Colorado and Ohio State. He quickly selected the Buckeyes without an official visit and ended any recruiting drama.

Perhaps now with the big decision out of the way, Graham can concentrate on some pretty hefty goals for the Falcons this fall.

Examiner.com: Tell us about yourself (height, weight, position):

Taylor Graham: I’m a 6-foot-4, 215-pound senior quarterback at Wheaton North High School. I just recently announced my intent to play at Ohio State University following graduation.

Examiner.com: Do you have an athletic achievement from your (pre-HS) youth that sticks out in your mind?

TG: When I was in sixth grade my park district baseball team won the championship game.

Examiner.com: For a time Wheaton North was famous for producing pro quarterbacks, starting with Chuck Long and then your father, Kent. How have you dealt with the pressure of being called “the next great Wheaton North QB?”

TG: I’ll be honest, there is some pressure, and I felt it mostly my freshman and sophomore years. But now that I’m older I understand that I have to approach it one day at a time. One practice at a time. One play at a time. If I can focus on the task at hand and be successful at that task time and time again, the rest will take care of itself.

Examiner.com: What kind of goals have you set for yourself and your team for the upcoming high school season?

TG: For myself, I do not want to throw any interceptions. That has always been a goal of mine. If we don’t turn the ball over our chances of winning as a team increase. As a team, I want us to go undefeated and win the state championship. Just like any other high school football player.

I’m not concerned with other statistics. As long as we win, nothing else matters. For example, if I throw six TDs and lose, it doesn’t matter. But if I hand the ball off every time and we win, I’m happy.

Examiner.com: The recruiting process can be time consuming and difficult. Have you had time to enjoy the process, or has it been hard?

TG: There are times when the process can become stressful. But it’s very manageable. The process is pretty fun, too. I have met so many people and seen so many places as a result of it. As a kid I always wanted to see the locker rooms and weight rooms and meet coaches. And because of this recruiting process, all of my dreams have become a reality. I really have enjoyed it.

Examiner.com: You’ve been a high profile player for most of your career, with a father who played both at Wheaton North and in the NFL. How do you keep a good head on your shoulders with all the attention you receive?

TG: I do my best to make sure I don’t get a big head, but at the end of the day I know my dad will let me know if I’m out of line. He’ll tell me real quick.

Examiner.com: Your career closely mirrors your dads in that you both had such high expectations and have been highly recruited. How has he helped you along, not only as a player, but in dealing with recruiting?

TG: As a player he has helped me so much. Lots of people say we’re exactly alike. As for recruiting, the biggest thing I’ve learned from him is that the process is a roller coaster; one day you’re up, the next you’re down. You need to keep it in check when you get an offer. But you also need to stay calm when the school you liked all along doesn’t pull through.

Examiner.com: Realistically what do you expect once you get to the next level?

TG: I expect to be a part of one of the best traditions in college football.

Examiner.com: As a child, who was your favorite athlete growing up and why?

TG: Besides my dad, I would say Carson Palmer. I liked watching him play at USC and then get drafted. He has always been a QB that I want to be like. He’s smart, a leader and has a cannon for an arm.

Examiner.com: Favorite movies?

TG: As a football player I love the movie “Remember the Titans.” “Dumb and Dumber” is funny, too.

Examiner.com: Who were/are your biggest influences (personally or athletically)?:

TG: My parents and grandparents have contributed to most to my development, personally and athletically. Along with my uncles I would say it was a family effort.

Examiner.com: Dinner with four people (any time in history). Whom would you invite?

TG: Only two I can think of off the top of my head: Jesus and George Washington.

Examiner.com: OK, finally. Grab your ipod/mp3, hit shuffle and write the first five songs that come up (no cheating):

TG:

dC Talk – “Jesus Freak”
Hootie & The Blowfish – “I Go Blind”
Uncle Kracker – “Follow Me”
U2 – “There The Streets Have No Name”
Dave Matthews Band – “Everyday”