NASHVILLE – Alontae Taylor had big aspirations growing up.
Raised in Manchester, located 60 miles down Interstate 24 from Nashville, Taylor didn't necessarily have NFL dreams back then – he grew up a big baseball fan.
But, in time, football would become his focus.
"I was just a kid with a dream of making it out of a small town," Taylor said. "I had a good support system, I had a lot of good friends around me, and they pushed me and motivated me. And with God, and with what I wanted for myself, it pushed me to get the best out of me.
"The way things have played out, I've been super blessed."
Taylor's journey has now brought him back to the state, as a member of the Tennessee Titans.
Taylor signed with the Titans last week after playing his first four seasons as a cornerback with the New Orleans Saints. The former Coffee County Central and University of Tennessee star could hardly believe his good fortune after checking out his new helmet, with the team's new logo on the side.
"I feel like I just left, but I'm glad to be back," Taylor said of the return to his home state. "It's amazing, really. I'm trying to think of a different word, but it feels good having a full circle moment. Born and raised here, playing college ball here. Getting drafted to a really amazing city and a good team, but to get NFL years under my belt and to now come back home, I feel better than ever.
"I feel like a better player now and I can bring a really good product to the table here in Nashville."
A four-year starter with the Saints who has played both on the outside, and inside, at cornerback, Taylor has played in 64 career games, with 53 starts. He's tallied 293 tackles, four interceptions, seven sacks and 52 passes defensed in those games.
Taylor played in all 17 games in each of the past three seasons, with 44 starts over that time period. He recorded 83 tackles, 11 passes defensed and two interceptions in 2025.
Taylor said he told his agent prior to the start of free agency he was interested in playing for the Titans, and new head coach Robert Saleh.
It turned out the Titans were also interested in Taylor, a 6-foot-1, 199-pounder who has proven to be feisty.
"Physical, fast and a guy who is going to put his face in there when he needs to, doesn't back down from anything," is how Taylor described himself. "And a very smart player, understanding the game and understanding what needs to be done. And, most importantly, leadership, just leading the room, bringing some swagger to the defense and just getting the best out of every single player, including myself."
Taylor said he loves the thought of playing for Saleh.
"I have watched him since I've been in the league and I think he has a really good defense," he said. "I'm a guy who can play on the outside and … a guy who can fit in the run game and in run support and a guy who can cover backside single receivers. I think I am going to fit very well, and I think coach believes that as well."
After getting experience in the league, Taylor said he returns to the state as a better, more polished player.
And, he said he's learned every step of the way, whether he was playing for head coach Ryan Sulkowski at Coffee County Central, at the University of Tennessee, or in the NFL with the Saints, where he played in a game at Nissan Stadium against the Titans just a few months ago.
"Experience (is key)," he said. "I have experienced outside (cornerback) success, and I've experienced outside failure. I've experienced inside slot success, and I've experienced inside slot failure. So, I have been there and I have done that. I think I have so much more room to improve.
"So, I think this defense, and just a fresh start, somewhere new, and being back at home is what I needed. I think my success level is just going to skyrocket from here moving forward."
Taylor will have plenty of folks rooting him on, including those from Manchester who remember him as a kid.
Taylor said he kept an eye on the Titans growing up, attending his first game as a fan when he was a junior in high school. He said his aunt was a really big fan, and she especially loved former Titans running back Chris Johnson.
Now Taylor is with the team himself, and a part of him can still hardly believe it.
Neither can his friends and family.
"It's been crazy," Taylor said with a smile. "My phone hasn't stopped yet, my social media hasn't stopped yet. I definitely feel the love and I feel the support. I have always known it's there, but I know it just means a little bit more being back at home with it. And I am cherishing every moment."
