Knightly News

With more than 200 tackles, 1,300 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns, Episcopal’s Taj Callahan made a tremendous impact on the Knights football team. Recently, the Episcopal community gathered to celebrate that Taj will continue his academic and athletic career at Henderson State University. Surrounded by family and friends, Taj thanked God, his parents and coaches for supporting him and helping him realize his signing day dreams. “This opportunity means a lot to me because I have worked long and hard to get to this point,” says Taj. “Signing day has always been a goal of mine, and growing up surrounded by athletes makes this day especially meaningful. Knowing that all the work I put in has paid off truly makes me proud.”

At Episcopal, Taj played linebacker, special teams and running back. Head Coach Travis Bourgeois says Taj is among the top Episcopal athletes who have recently gone on to play at the next level. “Taj made an impact on the football field the moment he stepped on campus,” he says. “He became an immediate impact player his freshman year and continued to develop throughout his four years.”

Taj began playing football at age five and says he has been going to football practices for as long as he can remember. “What I love most about football is the friendships you make along the way from little league teams to middle school, camps, and high school,” he says. “Everywhere football has taken me, I’ve built lasting friendships.”

Not only is Taj a tremendous football player, but he is also one of this year’s team captains. “He is a mild-mannered individual, but once he puts his helmet and shoulder pads on, he becomes a different person,” says Coach Bourgeois. “I am also so proud of the person that he has become outside of football. He is focused in the classroom, and he is active in our school community.” During the signing day event, Taj’s other coaches echoed that sentiment and complimented him for his tenacity on the field. “He was my defensive weapon,” Coach Charlie O’Brien ’13 advised the large crowd.

With such skill on both sides of the ball, Taj is sure to make an impact with the Reddies. At Episcopal, he earned All District, All Metro and Honorable Mention All State from the State Coaches and Sports Writers Association. He was voted player of the week for his performance versus Country Day and voted team MVP by his teammates.

Taj says he chose Henderson State because it felt like home, and everyone there was welcoming. He offers the following advice to classmates with a similar goal. “I would say believe in yourself, if you believe you can achieve then do it,” he says. “Remember to always put the work in as well because it won’t come easy to you. Everyone on your college team was their #1 player on their high school football team. Now you have to find a way to separate yourself.”

Separate from football, Taj also runs track. He is the President of the African Heritage Club and an executive member of the Unknighted Against Hate Club. At Henderson State, Taj plans to major in biology on a pre-med track.

Please join us in congratulating Taj and wishing him well as he moves on to the next level. Share a comment with him in the comments section below.

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