Lucky 13: Taylor named defensive player of week

CHICAGO — Mahoning Valley Thunder defensive back Brandon Taylor was named the af2’s defensive player of the week.

The 5-11, 180-pound Taylor, who played college ball at the University of New Hampshire, is in his second af2 season and first with Mahoning Valley. He spent 2008 with Albany.

Taylor had an impressive performance in Mahoning Valley’s tough loss to the Manchester Wolves in Week 13. Despite the result (a 59-53 loss), Taylor was a defensive force with seven solo tackles, including one tackle for loss, and set a new Thunder single-game record with three interceptions (55 return yards).

The New Hampshire alumnus leads the team in tackles (67), interceptions (four) and fumble recoveries (two). He also ranks second on the squad with seven tackles for loss.

This is the first defensive player of the week award of Taylor’s career. The Thunder slipped to 1-11 with four games remaining.

Other award winners were: Oklahoma City fullback/linebacker Freddie Rollins (JLS Ironman) and Arkansas wide receiver Aaron Fairooz (Russell Athletic Offensive Player).