 Taylor at 2025 Big Ten Media Days | |
| Minnesota Golden Gophers–No. 1 | |
|---|---|
| Position | Running back |
| Class | Junior |
| Personal information | |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Weight | 195 lb (88 kg) |
| Career history | |
| College |
|
| High school | Walled Lake Western (Detroit, Michigan) |
Darius Taylor is an American college football running back for the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
Taylor attended Walled Lake Western High School in Detroit, Michigan. As a senior, he rushed for 2,450 yards and 36 touchdowns on 268 carries, while also hauling in 14 receptions for 300 yards and a touchdown. [1] Taylor was rated a three-star recruit and committed to play college football at the University of Minnesota over other offers from schools such as Boston College, Iowa, Michigan State and Wisconsin. [2] [3] [4]
Taylor enrolled early at Minnesota in January 2023. He made his collegiate debut against Nebraska where he made one rushing attempt for three yards. [5] Taylor was named the Big Ten Conference Freshman of the Week for three weeks in a row after his performances against Eastern Michigan in week 2, [6] North Carolina in week 3 [7] and Northwestern in week 4. [8] However, after rushing for 198 yards and two touchdowns versus Northwestern, Taylor left the game with an injury. [9]