ALPINE - After waiting several months Winterboro’s Josh Taylor finally found somewhere he can be at home for the next four years.

On Saturday afternoon, Taylor signed a scholarship to play football for Faulkner University in Montgomery. Taylor said being able to play with his teammate/friend for four more years played a huge role in his decision.

“It is a dream come true,” Taylor said. “I just want to thank God and my family for helping me make the decision. We went down to visited Faulkner and their facilities are nice, their uniforms are nice and the main thing was when I went down there I felt like I was at home. The only thing that was changing was that I am going from high school to college. Another thing that impacted my decision was Curtavious (Gray). We really wanted to play ball together whether we were on the same side (of the ball) or whether we were on opposite sides. We wanted to go to school together and that played a major role in my decision-making.”

The 2011 first team All-State running back had a great senior campaign. Taylor rushed for 1,927 yards and 23 touchdowns. He also caught 28 passes for 483 yards and six touchdowns. The Daily Home Player of the Year said that he is ecstatic about getting a chance to play receiver at the next level.

“What really sealed the deal is that they want me to play wide receiver,” Taylor said. “Their offense is a passing offense. I feel like the offense gives me a chance to make big plays, which is what I like to do. They have a good quarterback on the team and that really played a big role. They were ranked among the best in offense last year, but their defense wasn’t up to (par). They have a new staff coming in and that makes it better for me to show off all my athletic ability on the offensive side of the ball.”

Taylor admitted that it was frustrating not being able to sign during the regular signing period, but he said he never stopped believing he would accomplish his goal.

“It was frustrating, but at the same time I knew there was light at the end of the tunnel,” Taylor said. “Sometimes I got discouraged, but I didn’t really show it. I knew at the end of the day I was going to end up playing college football somewhere. No matter the circumstances I knew I wanted to play college football. I didn’t get away from my dream. Signing with Faulkner is a dream come true for me.”

Former Winterboro head coach Adam Fossett is thrilled that Taylor will have a chance to play receiver and get a great education.

“It is a good opportunity for him to go to the next level, get a great education and play a collegiate sport,” Fossett said. “The important part is the education.”

Fossett believes Taylor has what it takes for him to flourish in the classroom and on the gridiron.

“Athletically, he should be in great shape,” Fossett said. “He is coming off great seasons here. He was a leader on and off the field. He did some wonderful things for us. It is a great opportunity with it being a smaller school and coming from a small school the transition will be a lot easier than if he would have went to larger school. I think that transition will be easy for him and I think he will have very little struggles in the classroom.”

Read more:The Daily Home - Taylor signs football scholarship with Faulkner