Taylor has some "grinder" to him and he's pro-ready thanks to the tutelage of his father. He should emerge from camp as the team's No.2 or No.3 back.
--Mark Dulgerian
5'10" Height
29 1/4" Arm Length
207LBS. Weight
8 1/4" Hands
Overview
Talk about football genes ... this Gator followed in the steps of his father Fred Taylor, one of the most productive running backs in Florida and NFL history. It was not surprising that he become the Florida high school record-holder in rushing yards, accumulating 12,121 yards and 191 touchdowns in five years on the varsity squad (yes, he played as an eighth grader). The 2012 Lou Groza High School Player of the Year joined his father in winning the award, becoming the first family duo to do so. Taylor showed glimpses of that talent in a Freshman All-SEC season in 2013 (508 rush yards, four TD) and a sophomore season without a ton of opportunities (565 yards, six TD on 116 carries). He finally became "the man" for the Gators, getting 259 totes and covering 1,035 yards and scoring 13 times while also catching 17 passes for 150 yards. He might not be drafted in the first round, like his father was in 1998 by Jacksonville (ninth overall pick), but Taylor has an NFL future.
Pro Day Results
40-yard dash: 4.6 seconds
20-yard short shuttle: 4.2 seconds
3-cone: 7.23 seconds
Bench: 17 reps of 225 pounds
Analysis
Strengths
Plays the game with advanced understanding of an NFL player's son. Able to find additional yardage on his own with vision and outstanding lateral agility. Sweeping jump cut eludes sudden roadblocks. Can squeeze through a narrow patch when needed. Stacks cuts on cuts onto the second level. Has quickness to gain the corner. Never fumbled during time at Florida spanning 486 carries and 510 touches. Understands job requirements as pass blocker and executes to best of his ability.
Weaknesses
Shows lack of patience at time failing to press line of scrimmage and open up cutback lanes. Indecisive, at times, when approaching the line and seems to always be looking for the next cut rather than finishing the run. Doesn't have tackle-breaking power and runs often end at contact. Despite willingness to block, lacks the beef to hold ground against A-gap linebackers.
Draft Projection
Rounds 5 or 6
NFL Comparison
Bobby Rainey
Bottom Line
Quicker-than-fast running back with the vision and footwork to be a creator, but a potential lack of power and commitment between the tackles to be an every down back. Taylor's work ethic and toughness should make fans of running back coaches, but his ceiling may be as a change of pace runner in a committee.
