J. J. Taylor

Last updated

J. J. Taylor
No. 26 – Houston Texans
Position: Running back
Personal information
Born: (1998-01-04) January 4, 1998 (age 26)
Bridgeport, Connecticut, U.S.
Height:5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Weight:185 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High school: Centennial
College: Arizona (2016–2019)
Undrafted: 2020
Career history
Roster status:Practice squad
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Rushing yards:156
Rushing average:3.0
Rushing touchdowns:2
Receptions:6
Receiving yards:20
Return yards:114
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Joseph Justyn Taylor (born January 4, 1998) is an American professional football running back, and return specialist for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Arizona. Taylor is also a professional Rocket League esports player of Team Oxygen.

Contents

Early life

Taylor graduated in 2016 from Centennial High School in Corona, California. After converting from Defensive back to Running back, he was named Mr. Football as state's top offensive player by CalHiSports.com. [1] Also he was named All-Inland First-team. He was recognized as a Blue-Grey All-American. He gained 2,290 yards and 44 touchdowns as a senior. He earned a three-star recruit by Scout.com, Rivals.com and 247 Sports. Taylor had offers from Washington State, Nevada, Ohio, Montana State, Sacramento State and Weber State from the Big Sky Conference as well. [2] Taylor committed to Arizona in 2015. [1] [2]

College career

2016 season

He played in four games with one career start before going down with an injury as a true freshman. [3] Taylor rushed for 261 yards and two touchdowns on 38 carries, even though he barely played in Arizona's first game of the season against BYU. The best proof came in a two-game stretch where Taylor rushed for a combined 267 yards on 37 carries with two touchdowns, particularly in Arizona's dominant win over Hawaii in Week 3. Taylor was poised for a breakout freshman season before the injury in Pac-12 opener, which occurred during the Wildcats’ fourth game against Washington. He still totaled 97 yards on 19 carries with a touchdown.

2017 season

Taylor, a redshirt freshman from Corona, Calif., played in all 12 games and was the Pac-12's top freshman rusher with 828 yards (6.1 yards/carry), averaged 69.0 yards per game, and added five touchdowns. He rushed for a career-best 153 yards on 14 carries (10.9 avg.) with two touchdowns vs. Washington State. [4] Taylor was a major contributor to Arizona's ground game that averaged 324.4 yards per game (3rd in the FBS) and a school single-season team record 48 rushing touchdowns. Arizona rushed for 300 or more yards seven times, including a pair of 500+ yard games with a UA single-game record 534 yards vs. Oregon State. He was the Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year. [4]

2018 season

Taylor was put on the Doak Walker Award watch list in July 2018. [4] Against Southern Utah, Taylor returned a kickoff for a touchdown. [5] His redshirt sophomore year finished with 1,434 rushing yards and, 49 receiving yards, and seven total touchdowns. [1]

2019 season

As a redshirted junior in 2019, Taylor finished with 721 rushing yards and five touchdowns. On November 19, 2019, Taylor announced that we would forgo his senior year and enter the 2020 NFL draft. [2]

College statistics

SeasonTeamClassRushingReceivingScrimmage
AttYdsAvgTDRecYdsAvgTDPlaysYdsAvgTD
2016 Arizona FR 382616.922168.00402776.92
2017 Arizona FR 1468475.8512494.121588965.77
2018 Arizona SO 2551,4345.66161338.302711,5675.86
2019 Arizona JR 1487214.95322899.001801,0105.65
Career [6] 5873,2635.618624877.926493,7505.820

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 5+1⁄4 in
(1.66 m)		185 lb
(84 kg)		28+3⁄4 in
(0.73 m)		8+1⁄2 in
(0.22 m)		4.61 s1.54 s2.70 s4.15 s7.00 s34.5 in
(0.88 m)		9 ft 10 in
(3.00 m)		19 reps
All values from NFL Combine [1] [7]

New England Patriots

Taylor signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2020. [8] On September 5, 2020, he was waived by the team and signed to the practice squad the following day. [9] He was promoted to the active roster on September 7, 2020. [10] Taylor made his professional debut in the Patriots Week one victory over the Miami Dolphins. [11]

Arguably his best game as a pro came on October 24, 2021. Taylor rushed for 21 yards and had two touchdowns during a Patriots 54-13 drubbing of the New York Jets. [12]

On August 30, 2022, Taylor was waived by the Patriots and signed to the practice squad the next day. [13] [14] He was promoted to the active roster on November 5. [15] He was waived on November 21 and re-signed to the practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract on January 10, 2023. [16] He was released on August 29, 2023. [17]

Houston Texans

On November 1, 2023, Taylor was signed to the Houston Texans practice squad. [18] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 22, 2024. [19]

Taylor was released by the Texans on August 27, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad. [20] [21] He was promoted to the active roster on October 30.

NFL career statistics

Regular season

YearTeamGamesRushingReceivingFumbles
GPGSAttYdsAvgLngTDRecYdsAvgLngTDFumLost
2020 NE 60231104.8280144.04000
2021 NE 5019371.9152482.05011
2022 NE 101090.950188400-
Career [22] 120481563.02826202.55011

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Henry (running back)</span> American football player (born 1985)

Chris John Henry is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the second round of the 2007 NFL draft. He played college football for the Arizona Wildcats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Driskel</span> American football player (born 1993)

Jeffrey Matthew Driskel is an American professional football quarterback for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida Gators and Louisiana Tech Bulldogs and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL draft. Driskel has played for the Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals, and Cleveland Browns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taylor Heinicke</span> American football player (born 1993)

Taylor Cameron Heinicke is an American professional football quarterback for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Old Dominion Monarchs and signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2015. Heinicke has also been a member of the New England Patriots, Houston Texans, Carolina Panthers, Washington Football Team / Commanders, and the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL. He also played for the St. Louis BattleHawks of the XFL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donte Moncrief</span> American football player (born 1993)

Donte Rakeem Moncrief is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ole Miss Rebels, and was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round of the 2014 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royce Freeman</span> American football player (born 1996)

Royce Deion Freeman is an American professional football running back for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oregon Ducks, earning third-team All-American honors in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Tomlinson</span> American football player (born 1992)

Eric Tomlinson is an American professional football tight end for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at UTEP. He previously played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Texans, New York Jets, New England Patriots, New York Giants and Oakland Raiders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">C. J. Prosise</span> American football player (born 1994)

Calvin "C. J." Prosise Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round of the 2016 NFL draft. He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Trey Williams is an American professional football running back who is a free agent. He signed with the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2015. Williams has also been a member of the Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, Toronto Argonauts, San Antonio Commanders, Seattle Dragons, Calgary Stampeders, New Jersey Generals and Pittsburgh Maulers. He played college football for the Texas A&M Aggies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Ward</span> American football player (born 1995)

Gregory Mario Ward Jr. is an American professional football wide receiver for the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Houston as a quarterback, and converted to wide receiver after going undrafted following his college career. He was a member of the Eagles' practice squad in 2017 when they won Super Bowl LII. He also played for the San Antonio Commanders of the Alliance of American Football (AAF) in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josh Ferguson</span> American football player (born 1993)

Josh Ferguson is an American former professional football running back. He played college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini, and signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">D'Onta Foreman</span> American football player (born 1996)

D'Onta Foreman is an American professional football running back for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas Longhorns, and was selected by the Houston Texans in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft. He has also played in the NFL for the Tennessee Titans, Carolina Panthers, and Chicago Bears.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dan Skipper</span> American football player (born 1994)

Dan Skipper is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Arkansas. At 6 feet 10 inches tall, Skipper is currently the tallest active player in the NFL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pharaoh Brown</span> American football player (born 1994)

Pharaoh Brown is an American professional football tight end for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent following the 2017 NFL draft. He played college football at Oregon.

N'Keal Harry is a Vincentian-Canadian professional American football tight end. He played college football for the Arizona State Sun Devils, where he twice received first-team All-Pac-12 honors, and was selected by the New England Patriots as the final first round pick of the 2019 NFL draft. Harry spent his first three seasons with the Patriots before being traded to the Chicago Bears in 2022. He joined the Vikings the following season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kalen Ballage</span> American football player (born 1995)

Kalen Ballage is an American professional football running back. He played college football for the Arizona State Sun Devils and was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL draft. He also played for the New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Los Angeles Chargers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Davion Davis</span> American football player (born 1996)

Davion Davis is an American professional football wide receiver. He played college football for the Sam Houston State Bearkats and has also been a member of several other teams.

Dalton Keene is an American professional football tight end for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Virginia Tech.

Isaiah Zuber is an American professional football wide receiver and punt returner for the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Kansas State and Mississippi State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Harris (American football)</span> American football player (born 2000)

Kevin Harris is an American professional football running back for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at South Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Larry Rountree III</span> American football player (born 1999)

Larry Rountree III is an American professional football running back for the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Missouri.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "J.J. Taylor Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 Scheer, Jason (November 19, 2019). "J.J. Taylor planning to enter NFL Draft". 247sports. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  3. ↑ Kelapire, Ryan (September 15, 2018). "Arizona DE Justin Belknap has broken foot, could be out for season, per reports". Arizona Desert Swarm. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  4. 1 2 3 Spears, Justin (July 18, 2018). "Arizona Wildcats RB J.J. Taylor put on Doak Walker Award watch list". Arizona Daily Star . Lee Enterprises . Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  5. ↑ Christy, Mike (September 15, 2018). "Seen and heard: Game of firsts includes takeaway, sack and a win for Kevin Sumlin". Arizona Daily Star . Lee Enterprises . Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  6. ↑ "J.J. Taylor". sports-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  7. ↑ "2020 NFL Draft Scout J.J. Taylor College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Patriots Sign 15 Rookie Free Agents". Patriots.com. May 5, 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  9. ↑ "J.J. Taylor: Reverts to practice squad". CBSSports.com. September 6, 2020. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  10. ↑ "Patriots sign two players to the 53-man roster from the practice squad; place two players on injured reserve". Patriots.com. September 7, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  11. ↑ "J.J. Taylor". www.nfl.com. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  12. ↑ "New York Jets at New England Patriots - October 24th, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com .
  13. ↑ "Patriots Make Roster Moves to Reach 53-Man Roster Limit". Patriots.com. August 30, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Patriots Sign 15 Players to the Practice Squad". Patriots.com. August 31, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Patriots Sign RB J.J. Taylor to the 53-Man Roster from the Practice Squad; Place OL Marcus Cannon on Injured Reserve; Elevate WR Lynn Bowden Jr. and Kody Russey to the Active Roster". Patriots.com. November 5, 2022.
  16. ↑ "Patriots sign 11 players to future contracts". Patriots.com. January 10, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Patriots Make Roster Moves to Reach the 53-Man Roster Limit". Patriots.com. August 29, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Houston Texans Transactions (11-01-2023)". HoustonTexans.com. November 1, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Houston Texans Transactions (1-22-2024)". HoustonTexans.com. January 22, 2024.
  20. ↑ "Houston Texans Transactions (08-27-2024)". HoustonTexans.com. August 27, 2024.
  21. ↑ "Houston Texans Transactions (08-28-2024)". HoustonTexans.com. August 28, 2024.
  22. ↑ "J.J. Taylor". NFL.com. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.