When he comes through the doors into the Lorenzo Wrestling Complex, his lanky build looks like it doesn't belong.
Certainly, the baby-faced freshman doesn't belong in a room alongside brawny grapplers like Frank Molinaro.
But when people see the smile on his face and his playful interactions with coaches and teammates, it's obvious David Taylor belongs in the wresting room. In fact, he was considered the nation's top recruit coming out of high school after winning four Ohio state championships.
Despite his success, Taylor believes his appearance may cause his opponents to underestimate his abilities.
"Even going out before I wrestle, people are probably like, 'Look at this guy,' " Taylor said. " 'He doesn't look strong. He doesn't look good.' I've just always worked really hard, and I've dedicated my life [to wrestling]."
The highly praised freshman from Saint Paris, Ohio, worked his way to a 21-2 record during his redshirt season. Along the way, he's dominated competition -- winning by technical fall in 10 bouts while pinning seven.
Taylor brings the same competitive attitude to practice when he trains with the Nittany Lion middleweight wrestlers. It's during that time the freshman is able to help his teammates improve by continually pushing them.
Penn State coach Cael Sanderson said Taylor loves the sport and enjoys training to get better.
While Sanderson said the freshman's appearance isn't typical of collegiate wrestlers, he believes Taylor's body type benefits him as a grappler.
"A lot of great wrestlers have that long, skinny body type," Sanderson said. "Leverage is power. Leverage is strength."
Senior 165-pound All-American Dan Vallimont said Taylor is one of the toughest guys in the room. The freshman is one of the strongest Lions on top, which helped Vallimont improve on getting out from the bottom when the two trained together.
Though Taylor has worked to help his teammates improve, his competitiveness pushes him to be the best. Taylor said he hates to lose, and that was evident during the Dec. 6 Nittany Lion Open -- when he dropped a 9-7 decision to fellow Lion Cyler Sanderson in the 157-pound championship bout.
Taylor wasn't awarded a potential late takedown that would've tied the bout against Sanderson. As he rushed off the mat and went to the locker room, Taylor's youthful grin was replaced by a tense grimace that showed his obvious frustration after a rare loss. While he's always serious during competition, the freshman 157-pounder is nearly the opposite outside of wresting.
It's not unusual for Taylor to exhibit some dance skills as he enters the wrestling room.
Vallimont said the freshman likes to joke around and is fun to be around.
Taylor believes it's important to distinguish the difference between the time to have fun and when to put the game face on.
"I love wrestling. It's the most important thing in my life," Taylor said. "I think at the same time, being able to step out and have friends that aren't wrestlers -- still being able to joke and have a life and not be a robot -- is real important."
Taylor has been able to flip the switch when he steps on the mat and said he has taken strides in his skill level since the fall. The freshman believes he's improved in all facets of wrestling during the season but said he's improved most in his physical strength.
Sanderson said it is obvious Taylor loves wrestling and his enjoyment of working to improve is rare. With the signs indicating Taylor will only continue to get better, Vallimont believes special things could await the talented young grappler -- even if his physical appearance wouldn't indicate it.
"He has the potential to be a national champ," Vallimont said. "I don't see any reason why he can't be a four-time All-American and maybe even better than that."
