Fox 16/VYPE Top 16 — No. 11: Catholic Quarterback Taylor Bartlett

Taylor Bartlett doesn’t look like a quarterback until he drops back to pass. The 5-foot-9, 180-pound senior has found success at Catholic despite not meeting the prototype.

“I don’t really fit the quarterback mold, but I try as hard as I can,” Bartlett said.

Bartlett is Catholic coach Scooter Register’s only three-year starting quarterback. The Class 7A All-VYPE Squad member completed 195 of 311 passes for 2,360 yards and 22 touchdowns with 11 interceptions last fall. He also led the team in rushing with 153 carries for 734 yards and 14 touchdowns.
“I take it (lack of respect) as a challenge,” Bartlett said. “I like going out there and proving people wrong.”

Bartlett ranks No. 11 in the Fox 16/VYPE Top 16 Central Arkansas senior football players’ countdown.

The diminutive quarterback uses 4.6 speed to make up for a lack of height and arm strength. In an upset of Cabot, Bartlett scrambled until he found reliable target Paul Drake on a 36-yard pass fueling 65-yard game-winning drive.

“I’ve been working on my speed and quickness a lot outside of football, and I just try to apply that to my game,” he said.

Bartlett passed for a season-high 334 yards in the upset and torched Northside for 279 yards.

It wasn’t until the eighth grade Bartlett found a home at quarterback after playing safety. He hasn’t relinquished the starting job.

“I like playing quarterback,” he said. “I like passing and running and just making plays.”

If it were up to Bartlett he’d play safety and return kicks, but Register won’t risk injuring his star with overuse.

“I want to do anything to help,” Bartlett said. (Register) didn’t like the idea of me returning kicks.”

Bartlett hopes he can guide the Rockets to a deep playoff run after not advancing past the second round the past two years.

“I hope so, I’m going to do the best I can,” Bartlett said. “Our defense is really looking good right now. We are still working on our offense. If we play well offensively, we are going to have a good chance.”


The versatile Bartlett hoped to play college football as a defensive back or return specialist. Those prospects took a hit this summer when he contracted mononucleosis and was unable to audition at camps. He’s optimistic he can find an opportunity somewhere.

“If it’s my last year, I just want to play the best I can and enjoy it,” Bartlett said.