Before we delve into this story, you first need to have some context. Emmitt Smith is widely considered one of the best high school football players of all time. Playing for Escambia High School (Pensacola, Florida), Smith rushed for 8,804 yards during his four seasons. That total is the second most all-time for a high school player behind Travis Henry (11,232 yards), and is a state record in Florida.
↵That state record is in danger, though. Glades Day High (Belle Glade, Florida) running back Kelvin Taylor has currently amassed 8,587 yards, putting him only 217 yards behind Smith's record as a Junior. He has at least two more games this season to break the record, as his team has one more regular-season game and will play in the state playoffs. And if Taylor doesn't break the record this season...well, there's always next year.
↵When Taylor breaks Smith's record, it will come with a minor asterisk. Although he's technically only a Junior, Taylor played with Glades Day as an eighth grader, accumulating 1,584 yards that season (8.2 yards per carry). Emmitt Smith only played four years in high school, and Taylor is currently finishing his fourth season playing with the high school team. So Taylor has essentially replicated Smith's record high school career, but while playing from eighth grade through Junior year.
↵Come next season, Taylor will have a chance to break Smith's high school record outright (Freshman to Senior year version), and make a run at Travis Henry's all-time rushing record (pun intended). Taylor would need to have an insane Senior year to match Henry, but as he's showing everyone right now, he's an incredibly gifted player.
↵The Gators are supposedly courting Kelvin Taylor, so here's hoping he decides to stay local. Taylor could be one of the biggest recruits to come out of Florida in...well, ever.
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