Taylor Rapp stood inside Dempsey Indoor. The safety was wearing his uniform, getting ready for a photoshoot. Then he turned. On his left arm, dipping below the sleeve of his jersey was the edge of a tattoo.
Those dark lines make up Chinese characters inked next to the image of a bull – the Chinese zodiac sign that signifies the year Rapp was born. When asked what to translate the tattoo, Rapp said the easiest, and most basic, description is "change the world."
The freshman has another series of Chinese characters running down his chest. Each one represents one of Confucius' five virtues: kindness, justice, morality, wisdom and loyalty.
So, what made him decide on those tattoos?
Well, each one provides a reminder of the way he wants to live his life.
"The tattoos are important," he said. "I try to live by them. I see them all the time on myself, so it's just a reminder. I want to make a contribution to the world."
Rapp has lofty goals for his future. He does want to change the world. He wants to help others. Right now, though, his world is Washington football and the people he wants to help are his teammates as the Huskies prepare to play top-ranked Alabama in the Peach Bowl.
"I want to help change things for the team," he said.
So far he's done just that, earning a leading role in a secondary loaded with talent. He made his first start against Portland State and his performance in the Pac-12 championship game – two interceptions, including a pick six, and four tackles – earned him MVP honors. He has played so well, he was named the conference's Freshman Defensive Player of the Year.
"I try to put it in perspective," he said. "I try to step back and say, 'wow.' I try to really appreciate this opportunity."
This experience has been much different than the one he expected to have when he arrived on campus. In fact, during a recent interview with his hometown radio station, he talked about being No. 3 on the depth chart at safety heading into fall camp.
Now he's a starter.
"It's been crazy for me," he said. "To start in this secondary, it means everything to me."
And now, not only is Rapp a Husky, but he gets to work alongside Budda Baker, another local product who decided to play for his hometown school.
"When I was getting recruited, he was my role model, a big-time safety at the University of Washington," Rapp said. "Now I'm playing next to him. It's crazy."
But, as crazy as this season has been, there is still more to accomplish. And, while he might not change the world during this upcoming trip to the College Football Playoff, he can certainly help the Huskies shock the college football world with a win over the Crimson Tide.
"It's as real as it's going to get right now," he said. "I think we deserve to be here. We've shown we belong here. It's about time to start looking at it as a dream and take it as reality."
Rapp: ‘It Feels Like A Dream’
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