By Matthew Aguilar / El Paso Times
Article Launched: 01/31/2007 12:00:00 AM MST
Former Texas running back Ramonce Taylor, center, took a handoff from quarterback Josh Swogger, a senior at Montana, during a workout Tuesday at the Sun Bowl.
Ramonce Taylor was a can't-miss guy. A blaze of lightning in cleats.
One Texas newspaper hailed him as "Texas' Reggie Bush" before the Longhorns' national championship game against Bush and USC last year.
The sophomore delivered, scoring on a 30-yard touchdown run that helped Texas win one of the greatest college football games of all time.
But then trouble hit, and the running back was back to square one.
The Belton, Texas, native will be looking for a little redemption Friday when he suits up for the home team in the inaugural Texas vs. the Nation all-star game at the Sun Bowl.
"It's been a real tough road for me, having to go through some struggles and having to fight the media and stuff," Taylor said. "But I just had to stay strong, and everything worked out pretty well for me. I'd just like to start over. It's like a brand new day to start over now."
One of Texas' most versatile and dynamic players, Taylor exploded as a sophomore in 2005.
He scored 15 touchdowns -- including that memorable 30-yard run in the Rose Bowl -- and ran for 513 yards on 76 carries for a 6.8-yard average.
He also caught 27 passes for 265 yards and three touchdowns, an average of 9.8 yards per reception.
He was expected to be one of the best players in college football last year.
Then, problems.
Taylor was arrested last May for drug possession -- allegedly more than five pounds of marijuana were found in his backpack while deputies were responding to calls about a fight involving as many as 100 people.
Authorities also allegedly found a live 40-caliber round of ammunition in the console of the vehicle.
The previous March, Taylor had been excused from Texas' spring practice by head coach Mack Brown.
He eventually transferred to Texas College, an NAIA school, in Tyler. He sat out the '06 season because of academic ineligibility.
Taylor pleaded guilty to marijuana possession on Nov. 2, and was sentenced to 60 days in jail.
He is required to serve the time by the end of March.
So, when the NFL Draft arrives in April, Taylor will be free to concentrate on football. He announced his intentions of going pro earlier this month.
Yes, the 5-foot-11, 195-pound Taylor will get another chance at football stardom -- that which seemed almost assured a little more than a year ago.
That chance arrives Friday -- Taylor's first appearance on a football field since the Rose Bowl.
"It feels real good to know that they are still interested in me," he said. "It feels good that they're finding out what a great person I am, instead of having them believe all of the stuff they hear.
It was real difficult having people talk bad about me. I had to fight through that. But I had God with me and my mom at my side. So it worked out."
Indeed, several NFL scouts introduced themselves to Taylor on Tuesday at the Sun Bowl and engaged in prolonged discussions with him.
Now, finally, it's time to dream.
"I see myself going out there, having a great NFL career, and being one of the best players in the league," he said.
"It means a lot to me to show the nation that R.T. is back and can still do what he does."
So this means he is in jail right now but in may will be in off-season workouts.
Very Jamal Lewis like but hey if it works out for him then more power to him. I doubt if the Cowboys take a flyer on him. If Jerry didnt draft Randy Moss then he surely wont draft this guy. I actually doubt if anybody drafts him.
