In his first season as Temple’s starting strongside linebacker, senior Taylin Hamilton played well from a statistical standpoint in the Wildcats’ first three games. He made 28 tackles (15 solo) in losses to Georgetown and Round Rock and an overtime win against San Antonio Pieper.

However, the 6-foot, 189-pound Hamilton and his coaches realized he wasn’t playing his position with enough aggression and reckless abandon for defensive coordinator Thomas Rocco’s group to operate at its full potential.

“I’d have to say the first three games, I was hesitant. I was thinking too much with the new position thing,” Hamilton, a backup safety last year, said Tuesday as the Wildcats (1-6, 0-3 District 12-6A) prepared for their first-ever clash with Lake Belton (3-3, 0-2) at 7 tonight at Tiger Field. “After Georgetown, I walked into Coach Rocco’s office and told him, ‘I’m going to do better than what I did.’ I take it personally.”

Hamilton made eight tackles in Temple’s district-opening loss to Copperas Cove and posted seven stops in a setback at Hewitt Midway. Then in last Friday’s duel with defending district champion Harker Heights, he erupted for a career-best performance of 17 tackles, 10 solo, two for losses.

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