East Paulding's Taylor Gadbois Signs with Miami

ROSWELL—National Signing Day -- the first day high school football players are allowed to officially inform a university of their intent to play football -- is a glorious day in the career of a young football player.

East Paulding's Taylor Gadbois decided to share his signing-day moment with 164 other Atlanta-area athletes at a group event at Andretti Indoor Karting in Roswell.

Gadbois told the assembled crowd that he had decided to attend the University of Miami, but that decision didn't come easy. Until Miami head coach Al Golden contacted Gadbois, the East Paulding offensive tackle had his sights on other schools.

"I was leaning towards Kentucky or Georgia at that point," said the 6-foot-8-inch, 280-pound senior. "It didn't matter whether the coach was new or not, it mattered that is was Miami."

Gadbois was the first recruit that Golden offered a scholarship to when he took the job at Miami. And that was just fine by Gadois, who had dreamed of playing at Miami for his entire life.

Gadbois has a mean streak in him that most offensive line coaches love to see. He pushes players off the line and finishes blocks very well. The flexible incoming freshman will have a shot at playing during his freshman year, but won't know for sure until he gets to camp.

"Miami has a guy leaving, but has a lot of young players," said Gadbois. "If I get the opportunity to play early, I'll take it."