One of four players selected to serve as team captains in 2009, Taron is a solid, versatile player with experience...working hard to be more consistent...showed steady improvement during Spring work...good tackler...playmaker who can get turnovers...listed as the returning starter at boundary cornerback...played safety at times last season...capable of lining up at any of the four secondary positions...provides leadership to the Golden Eagle secondary...a good athlete who can be an extremely physical player...good speed and leaping ability...excellent one-on-one defender...breaks well on the ball...has four career interceptions, tops among returnees...has 21 career passes defended, also tops on the team...has registered 145 career tackles in three seasons, including 88 solo tackles.

At TECH - (In 2008): The starter in 11 of Tech's 12 games during 2008, Taron wound up third on the team in total tackles with 69...his 39 solo tackles was second on the team...ranked 24th in the OVC with 5.8 tackles per game...led Tech with nine passes defended, ranking him seventh in the OVC...had one interception, one fumble caused, one fumble recovery and three tackles-for-loss...posted career-high 13 tackles against Jacksonville State along with one pass defended...had nine stops at Murray State, and recorded eight tackles each against Southeast Missouri and Western Michigan...his seven solo tackles at Western Michigan was a career-high...had an interception against UT Martin that he returned 25 yards, his fourth takeaway against the Skyhawks in three years, and his third interception...had big game in nationally televised victory at Southeast Missouri, making eight tackles and breaking up four Redhawk pass attempts...caused a fumble against Louisville.

(In 2007): Taron started at cornerback in all 11 games as a sophomore and continued to develop into a top-notch defender...finished the year with 48 total tackles, including 30 solo stops...broke up six passes and had two interceptions, which he returned for 23 yards...consistent effort, he had either five or six tackles in eight games...both interceptions came in Tech's 13-10 win at UT Martin, giving him three turnovers in two years against the Skyhawks...blocked a kick the next week against Austin Peay.

(In 2006): Taron had an impressive year as a true freshman...played in all but one game at cornerback and also participated on special teams...registered 28 tackles from the corner position, including 19 solo stops, ranking 10th on the squad...also had three TFL and half a quarterback sack...chalked up a fumble recovery against UT Martin and returned it 14 yards...broke up six passes and made his first collegiate interception in Tech's season finale at Southeast Missouri.

HIGH SCHOOL: Taron was a three-year letterman for coach Roger Haynes at Sparkman High School...starter at safety and also runningback...helped the Senators capture the 2004 region championship...twice named all-region...team MVP and defensive team captain as a senior...blocked five kicks, including four punts, returning one for a TD...five career interceptions...posted 70 tackles in his final year...also lettered in basketball two years and helped lead the hoops team to the Alabama FInal Four as a junior.

Personal: The son of Ron and Karen Ryce...born October 24, 1987...full name Taron Martez Ryce...majoring business/finance.