Trailing by 14 points, Cincinnati desperately needed points. Leonard Taylor provided.
Arkansas was winning 31-17 in a clash of ranked FBS teams this past season with under six minutes left in the fourth quarter. The Bearcats were facing third and 9, just 16 yards from the goal line.
Taylor, a Cincinnati tight end, avoided a defender to begin his route without interruption. After going upfield, he juked out a safety and cut back toward the middle of the field.
He was open, and his quarterback found him. Taylor dove to haul in the touchdown catch, giving his team a much-needed spark.
Taylor can contribute to an NFL team in plenty of ways, including through the air.
Leonard Taylor Stats And Highlights
Taylor didn’t get that many targets because Josh Whyle, another NFL prospect, was on the same team. But he could easily take on a bigger role with an NFL squad.
Taylor caught 18 passes for 170 yards and two touchdowns in 2022. In five seasons, he recorded 69 receptions for 697 yards and eight touchdowns.
Leonard Taylor Draft Projection
Taylor would be a good selection in the sixth round of the NFL Draft, though he’s being projected to go undrafted by others.
Leonard Taylor Draft Profile
At 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, Taylor is larger than most NFL defensive backs. He’s also likely more athletic than a lot of pro linebackers, so he’s going to be tough to cover.
Taylor was an inline tight end on 72% of his snaps in college. That’s because he helped Cincinnati both with run blocking and catching passes.
But Taylor can be utilized in plenty more ways. Over his career, he racked up 296 yards after catch and dropped a mere seven passes. That means he can make plays with the ball in his hands and is dependable.
Taylor can also block. He committed just one penalty while run blocking last season.
That skill should translate to the NFL because of his size, even though he could work on lowering his pad level at the point of attack so he has better leverage against pro players.
But there’s no doubt Taylor has the traits to become an impactful tight end in the NFL.
