Even with a large lead, Trey Taylor wasn’t about to permit his opponent to score easily. The Air Force defensive back is tenacious.
The Falcons were facing Utah State this past season, and Air Force led 29-0 but the Aggies had driven down to the 1-yard line and faced third and goal.
USU ran right up the middle, but that proved to be a mistake. Taylor had lined up close to the line of scrimmage, read the play, and darted up field before meeting the ball carrier at the line of scrimmage. The eventual Jim Thorpe Award winner didn’t give up any ground as his team swarmed to stop the play.
Taylor is a physical defender. And his skill set might lead to him being drafted this year.
Where Did Trey Taylor Get Drafted?
Taylor was drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He was selected with the 223rd overall pick.
What Was Trey Taylor’s 40 Time?
Taylor reportedly ran the 40-yard dash in 4.53 seconds at Air Force’s Pro Day. That would’ve been 10th among safeties at the NFL Combine.
He also had a broad jump of 10 feet, 3 inches, a 4.12-second 20-yard shuttle, a 6.9-second three-cone drill, and bench pressed 22 reps. All of those numbers would’ve been in the top 10 at his position group at the combine.
Trey Taylor’s Stats And Highlights
Taylor earned the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back in 2023 for a reason.
The first-team Group of Five All-American and first-team All-Mountain West selection tallied 74 tackles, five tackles for loss, three interceptions, four pass breakups, and a blocked kick.
The year before, he was on the All-Mountain West second team after leading the Falcons with 69 tackles to go with 4.5 TFLs, two interceptions and four passes defended. In 2021, he tallied 62 tackles, 1.5 for loss, with one pick and five passes defended.
Trey Taylor’s NFL Comparison And Draft Profile
I project Taylor’s playing style in the NFL will be similar to Justin Simmons, who made two Pro Bowls while playing for the Denver Broncos.
Taylor can do plenty for a defense. His physicality is one of his best traits. He enjoys an emphatic hit on a ball carrier and provides good run support.
He’s also incredibly smart. Countless times, Taylor would read what an offense was trying to do before it happened and was in just the right position to make a play because of it.
Taylor can blitz as well. Though he could better learn how to shed blocks, Taylor was in the backfield constantly on passing and rushing downs.
And he can cover as well. Taylor ranked sixth in the FBS in Pro Football Focus’ grades of safeties in this year’s draft class who played at least 200 snaps. He was third in PFF’s coverage grades.
The NFL passer rating on throws his way was 50.9, which was the 15th-best in the nation. He allowed 22 catches on 36 targets for 202 yards and one touchdown.Even while playing for a Group of Five program, Taylor was recognized as the best defensive back in the country last year. He has earned an opportunity to pursue a professional football career.
