Taurean York '27
Aggie Football linebacker defies the odds with unshakable belief
By Will Johnson '01
It is hard to imagine a high school student spending their 16th birthday in an airport, waiting on a delayed flight to Columbus, Ohio and wondering if their dreams would ever see the light of day.
But that was Taurean York's reality while trying to find a scholarship offer to play college football. He always knew he was good enough. He just could not get others to believe it.
“It was a very lonely time for me,” York recalled. “It felt like everybody was taking me for granted.”
While York was searching for an opportunity, several programs had zeroed in on his Temple High School teammate.
“We lived in the same neighborhood,” York said. “He was getting three to four offers a day. I was getting zero. No follow backs. No interest. No calls. So, it was a hard time.”
But here is the thing about York - at no point did the recruiting process erode his confidence. Coaches told him all the reasons he was not the right guy for their program, yet his belief held rock solid and never chipped away.
“Short and lack of speed,” York said. “They did not know what my upside would be. I just needed the opportunity. I needed the stage for me to showcase my abilities.”
Really, the only school that was ready to give him that chance was Duke University and their head football coach at the time, Mike Elko.
“He is not only a great communicator, but he has the respect from all of his teammates.”
“He was the only one that truly wanted me,” York said.
Elko saw what the rest failed to.
“We saw a young man who loved football,” the Aggies' head coach recalled. “Not only to play, but to prepare. He gave great effort in everything.”
York was set to go to Durham, North Carolina and play for Elko and the Blue Devils, but the Aggies made an offer to York late in the process, most likely because other linebackers had passed on Texas A&M. The bigger stage and opportunity to prove his value was finally available. He took it.
If anyone knows York, he does not mind telling others they were wrong about him. Only, he does it with his actions and not words. He proves it with his play.
During the 2023 season, York led all SEC freshmen in tackles for lost yardage. He was on the 2023 SEC All-Freshman team and ESPN named him a 2023 Freshman All-American.
York proved just how worthy he was of the scholarship offer he waited for. All the while, his story earned the respect of his teammates.
During the spring following his standout freshman season, York was named a 2024 team captain.
Mike Elko explained the attributes of a captain and why York and offensive lineman Trey Zuhn III were given the distinction.
“When you talk about captains and leadership, we want guys who are going to say and do the things that need to be said and done behind the scenes,” Elko said.
York started every game as a sophomore, embracing his role as a captain while leading the team and ranking 12th in the SEC in tackles. Named a captain again in April 2025, he enters his junior season as an unquestioned leader of the Aggie Football program.
“He is not only a great communicator, but he has the respect from all of his teammates,” Elko added.
It fits with his future. York would like to coach when his playing days are done. He already knows the first step in that process.
“I want to win a state championship because I never won one as a player,” York said.
He loved his time under the Friday night lights in Temple, and now he is cherishing his time in Kyle Field with the 12th Man. York did not know if he would ever get the chance to play at this level — a chance to realize the opportunity he earned. Now proudly wearing the maroon and white, his future looks brighter than ever.
The offers to play college football came late, but York's revered impact within the Aggie Football program did not. As difficult as the process was, he did the one thing required to overcome the adversity — he never gave up.
He has earned this stage and has already performed well on it, but rest assured he is not done. In York's mind there will always be something to prove.