2012 SD Chargers Media Guide_PROOF.P - Seahawks Online ...

28 BRANDON TAYLORStrong Safety Draft 3 – ’125-11, 210 Louisiana StateRookieFranklinton HSFranklinton, La.The Chargers knew Brandon Taylor was a special playerso it was no surprise when the team engineered a tradewith Miami to move up five spots in the third round toselect the former LSU Tiger with the 73rd overall pick ofthe 2012 NFL Draft.Taylor grew up in Franklinton, La., the second-youngestof Curtis and Annette Taylor’s nine children. He wasgroomed and toughened by two older brothers, Curtis andJhyryn, both of whom played for the Tigers. But Taylorcharted his own path in football, making a challengingswitch from cornerback to strong safety. His willingness tosacrifice for the team made him one of LSU’s most popularplayers. Before his senior season, head coach Les Milescalled Taylor into his office and informed the team captainthat he’d been chosen to wear the Tigers’ coveted No. 18jersey. In a tradition that was born in 2003, the LSU coachingstaff picks one player who exemplifies character andleadership to wear the No. 18 jersey each season. Chargersteammate Jacob Hester also was selected to wear No. 18during his career in Baton Rouge. Taylor wasn’t finishedthere. He also had another honor bestowed upon him byteammates as he was selected to stand in the rally circlebefore each game to fire up the team. Both gestures weretremendous honors for the Louisiana native.Brother, Curtis, played on LSU’s National Championshipteam in 2007 and was drafted by the San Francisco 49ersin 2008. He’s currently a reserve cornerback with the OaklandRaiders.TRANSACTION HISTORY: Third-round pick (73), April 27,2012...signed four-year contract, May 15.COLLEGE: Team captain as senior for nation’s second leadingdefense in total yards and points allowed...finished career with160 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, and four interceptions...played at LSU from 2008-11...general studies major.PERSONAL: Born in Bogalusa, La....All-America and all-statecornerback at Franklinton (La.) High...Louisiana 4A DefensivePlayer of Year as senior in 2007.89 LADARIUS GREENTight End Draft 4 – ’126-6, 240 Louisiana-LafayetteRookieBooker T. Washington HSPensacola, Fla.DRAFT PICKS, UNDRAFTEDROOKIES & FIRST-YEARPLAYERSThe Chargers used their fourth-round pick in the 2012NFL Draft to select rangy tight end Ladarius Green fromLouisiana-Lafayette. San Diego football fans will rememberGreen from his five-catch, 121-yard, one-touchdowneffort against San Diego State in the 2011 New OrleansBowl. Now in San Diego, the Chargers believe he can be abig-play complement to Antonio Gates.A three-time All-Sun Belt League choice, the 6-6, 240-pound Green caught 149 passes for 2,201 yards and 22touchdowns during his career with the Ragin’ Cajuns. His22 touchdown catches were second-most in school historybehind current Denver Broncos wide receiver BrandonTRANSACTION HISTORY: Fourth-round pick (110), April28, 2012...signed four-year contract, May 11.COLLEGE: First-team All-Sun Belt as junior and senior, andsecond-team as sophomore...also named to All-LouisianaCollege Football’s first team...invited to 2012 Senior Bowl...infinal college game vs. rival Louisiana-Monroe, tied schoolrecord with 13 catches, good for 136 yards and two touchdowns...alsorecovered onside kick with 2:05 left in fourthStokley, while his yardage and reception totals rankedfourth and fifth, respectively.Green also excelled in the classroom, earning a degree infinance in just three-and-a-half years. He spoke publiclyabout one day pursuing a career in investment banking.Green was born in Berlin, Germany, while both of hisparents served in the military.Despite his 6-6 frame, Green’s nickname is “Pee Wee.” Itis a moniker he was given as a high school junior when hestood just 5-10, but even though he hit a major growthspurt shortly thereafter, the name stuck and his teammatesstill refer to him as Pee Wee.quarter to set up game-winning touchdown drive...91-yardcatch in 2009 was third-longest in Sun Belt history andfourth in school history...Team MVP as sophomore in ’09after ranking third in conference in yards per game and yardsper catch...played at Louisiana-Lafayette from 2008-11.PERSONAL: Born in Berlin, Germany...all-area tight end atBooker T. Washington High in Pensacola....selected to play in2007 Pensacola All-Star Classic.MEDIA GUIDE | 121