Long before Jake Taylor and head coach Bill Tierney met in the PLL, the pair got to know each other during Taylor’s initial commitment to Denver. Taylor flipped to Notre Dame soon after, and the two would have to wait to share the same locker room.

“I told him this time, he couldn’t get away from me. This is a draft, not recruiting,” Tierney said after taking Taylor with the ninth overall pick in the 2025 College Draft.

United on the Philadelphia Waterdogs, Taylor is already providing a return on Tierney’s investment by putting on a show in training camp.

The rookie fit right into the carousel with two of the best attackers in the league (Michael Sowers and Kieran McArdle) under his former youth coach and current offensive coordinator, Dylan Sheridan.

“It's really cool, and his skill set is so unique and so special that I think it's gonna unlock a lot of our other weapons, as well,” Sheridan said.

“I think Jake has a unique skill," Tierney added. "Whether it’s Sowers and him, Kieran and him -- not only does he catch and score, but he also gets other people open, as well.”

In the first scrimmage of the year, Taylor scored two unofficial goals in the Dogs’ 13-8 victory over the Carolina Chaos. That wasn’t his most impressive contribution to the game, though.

Off-ball, Taylor created space, set screens and did everything he could to help the team score. 

The new Waterdog moved around the field like he was hardwired into the offense and found openings to the net that no one else seemed to see. It’s what made Taylor a dominant force in college lacrosse for consecutive years. 

“I can run around inside, help get guys open,” Taylor said. “[I want to] help myself get open and work together fluidly, build a lot of chemistry this week and hopefully use it in the first couple of games.”

Sowers said Taylor is "a guy that can put points up and produce without the ball in his stick." 

Through his work leading up to the PLL and showcase in training camp, No. 10 has gained the respect of his veteran teammates. 

“I mean, [he’s] everything I’ve seen on TV and been watching for over the past five years,” McArdle said. “It’s fun to play with a guy like that and having his IQ and hands, finishing everything, throwing everything to him. It’s been a lot of fun to play with.”

Added Sowers: "A guy with Jake’s skill set comes at a huge premium in the league because those guys don’t come around that often."

Sowers got to play with Taylor in the U.S. Men’s Sixes last fall. Philly’s star attackman was impressed with Taylor’s professional manner and pushed for Tierney to draft him this year.

Their chemistry, paired with McArdle, should create one of the most dangerous attacking lines in the PLL – and that’s without No. 1 draft pick CJ Kirst, recovering on the physically unable to perform list following Cornell’s NCAA championship run.

“Kier is obviously a veteran, and Sowers is one of the best feeders in the game, so it’s a lot of fun to get out there with them,” Taylor said.

With the rest of the league focused on Opening Weekend, the Waterdogs begin their season with a bye, giving their attack trio another week to strengthen its bond. Taylor's PLL debut should come next Friday against the Maryland Whipsnakes in Charlotte.