LSU football tight end Mason Taylor talks about the 2024 season at SEC Media Days

LSU tight end Mason Taylor is looking to turn things around in his third season with the Tigers after an impressive first two years in Baton Rouge.

Taylor, who has been the starting tight end for the Bayou Bengals for the past two seasons, is looking to cement his status as one of the best tight ends in the program’s history.

Now he is in Dallas to represent the Tigers at SEC Media Days along with Brian Kelly, Harold Perkins and Garrett Nussmeier.

Here’s everything Taylor said on Monday:

Q What are you trying to do this year that you haven’t done in your career so far, and how have you tried to improve here over the summer?

MASON TAYLOR: I think I just have to be consistent and show the coaches that I can do a lot. I’m ready for the opportunity. I’m going to focus on proving to my coaches and my quarterback this year that I’m open and I can do a lot. And I’m just going to be consistent.

Q What can you say about Garrett and his offseason?

MASON TAYLOR: He’s had a great offseason. I mean, he’s been a leader from day one and he’s done a great job of getting our team on the right path. He’s learned a lot from the experiences of Jayden and things like that, so he’s definitely waited for his chance, he’s been patient and I think he’s fit to have a great year this year.

Q Brian talked about successful tight ends and obviously the offense is going to look a little different this year, but now that you’re almost in, how much do you plan on being a part of that offense? How different can it look for the tight ends as far as their active participation as pass catchers? You’ve had moments, but you’re a really integral part of that offense.

MASON TAYLOR: I think we lost some productivity this year with BT and Malik leaving, and I think there’s definitely room for improvement. And I think the receiver group has done a great job. As a tight end group and tight end unit, I think it’s really important for us to step in and show the coaches what we can do, and that starts in practice. So we’ve got to prove that we can make those types of plays and fill those gaps in this offense.

Q Arguably one of your best receptions of your college career against Bama in 2022. Are you excited to face them again this season?

MASON TAYLOR: Yeah, it’s a great game every time we play them. Alabama is one of the best college football teams in the country. Like we said, in the SEC, you play against the best. It’s definitely going to be fun. It’s definitely competitive and it’s definitely a great game. So it’s going to be fun.

Q This year, there is a different schedule, no more divisional games. Some of LSU’s frequent opponents, including Auburn, are not on the schedule this year. What games have you marked as games you are looking forward to this year?

MASON TAYLOR: Just all the SEC games. Like I said, it’s tough competition. Those games are the most fun. I think as long as we prepare for them, we’ll have a successful season.

Q If we go off the schedule issue and how different the schedule is now, you’ve traditionally played the last game of the season against Texas A&M. What do you think about that? Do you think it’s a rivalry and that you’re not just playing the last game of the season this year?

MASON TAYLOR: I would say it’s a big game. Any game in the SEC is a big game. Any game on our schedule is a big game. Like I said, they’ve shuffled the schedules around a little bit, but not much has changed. They’re still playing in the SEC. Still against the best. I’m definitely looking forward to it.

Q This is new territory for Oklahoma. What can Oklahoma fans and the Oklahoma football team expect from a road trip to LSU?

MASON TAYLOR: Just great fans and wild fans. I think the level of competition is going to increase with Oklahoma and Texas joining the SEC and I think it’s definitely going to be fun to see this year.

Q EA Sports College Football ’25 is coming out. How excited are you to be able to play it and maybe see your face on it?

MASON TAYLOR: It’s really exciting. I remember playing that game as a kid. It was so much fun. To be in it now is a dream. I’m pretty sure Early Access came out and I’m excited to go back to Baton Rouge tonight and play. It’s going to be a fun thing.

Q How many touchdowns does Harold need to score to get into the Heisman discussion this year, and what kind of leader has he become for you?

MASON TAYLOR: He’s become a great leader. He’s put the defense on his shoulders. I think he and guys like Greg Penn, the whole linebacker group overall, have stepped up, and I think he knows his time has come, it’s his junior year. He’s got to lead, and I think he’s done an excellent job of that on team runs and just in practice throughout the game.

Q What are your expectations as a team as the 12-team playoffs approach? Do you talk about the goal, the top 12, making the playoffs or what are your conversations like as a team before the season?

MASON TAYLOR: I think we just have to be consistent week in and week out. As long as we stick with our approach of winning game in and game out and focusing on where we are, we’ll be fine. That opens up more opportunities for us. But when there are 12 teams in the playoffs, it’s definitely exciting. As long as we do what we do, LSU, we’ll be fine.

Q Jayden has had such a remarkable career at LSU. The first few games were a little rough before the offense got going – the first few games of his career at LSU were a struggle before things got rolling. What have you noticed Jayden improving in his two years as an LSU starter and what have you taken away from watching him work?

MASON TAYLOR: When you start as a new offense, it’s hard to get going and get momentum. Jayden did a great job of getting everything going and getting everybody lined up. And I think he did a great job at quarterback and kind of got us competing in practice, getting better every day and keeping us at the level of LSU.

Q What does it mean to be here and represent LSU? Brian obviously talked about Will Campbell, the top-10 pick, staying home, but you and Park were both selected to come here. What does that mean for you and Harold?

MASON TAYLOR: It’s a great honor. I’ve heard a lot of good things about SEC Media Days. I’m definitely excited. It’s an honor and a blessing to be here. I’m excited to represent LSU.

Q What do you think about Oklahoma? What do you know about Oklahoma?

MASON TAYLOR: I just know they’re a great team. I mean, they’re coming into the SEC, so they’ve got to have a certain type of talent. They’ve got great players and it’s a great program. Rich in wins. It’s definitely going to be exciting to play in those games.

Q Just on tight end in general, what can you tell me about the other guys? It seems like they’ve obviously gotten bigger and stronger and maybe pose a little bit more of a threat in terms of catching the ball, and not just as a blocker.

MASON TAYLOR: I think we have a great tight end team. Coach Nagel has done a great job pushing us every day. We had a great spring. And I think we’ve been closer than we’ve ever been. And just creating that connection between each other and pushing each other to be great every day is what’s going to make us great.

Q What is different about Garrett as a quarterback compared to Jayden?

MASON TAYLOR: I think in some ways it’s similar. I think we have the same offense. It’s not going to change much. Jayden was great with his legs. I think Nuss has some stuff. And people know that. But obviously Jayden Daniels is Jayden Daniels. He’s been great for us. But Nuss learned a lot from him. I think he’s going to do a great job. He learned from one of the best, and he learned from a Heisman winner. He’s definitely going to have a great year this year.

Q Your father and your uncle are both very notable former football players. You’ve just learned a lot from them over the years and seen things that you’ve been able to observe.

MASON TAYLOR: Just stay where you are, be consistent and just stay where you are. Don’t look forward. Don’t look back. Everyone makes mistakes. Just keep moving and fight through it.

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