Tackle | Florida | Junior
Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 312 pounds
College Stats
2018: Played 13 games at right tackle, starting 12; part of a Florida offensive line that allowed just 18 sacks over the season, which ranked 20th in FBS and third in the SEC; received Second-Team All-SEC honors (Athlon Sports) and was named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll
Career: Started 35 of 37 games played for the Gators over three seasons (33 at right tackle and 2 at left tackle); in 2016 was the only freshman to play on the offensive line; garnered Freshman All-American honors and was named to the Freshman All-SEC Team
View photos of Florida T Jawaan Taylor.
Florida offensive lineman Jawaan Taylor (65) sets up to block at the line of scrimmage during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Missouri Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, in Gainesville, Fla. Missouri won 38-17. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida offensive lineman Jawaan Taylor (65) sets up to block against Missouri defensive lineman Akial Byers (97) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, in Gainesville, Fla. Missouri won 38-17. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida wide receiver Van Jefferson (12) celebrates with wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland (89), offensive lineman Jawaan Taylor (65) and offensive lineman Tyler Jordan (64) after catching a pass in the end zone for a 6-yard touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against the Charleston Southern Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida offensive lineman Jawaan Taylor (65) sets up to block at the line of scrimmage during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Missouri Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, in Gainesville, Fla. Missouri won 38-17. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida offensive lineman Jawaan Taylor watches the final minutes of their 45-16 loss to Missouri in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Florida offensive lineman Jawaan Taylor (65) sets up to block against Missouri defensive lineman Akial Byers, left, during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, in Gainesville, Fla. Missouri won 38-17. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida offensive lineman Jawaan Taylor (65) looks up at the scoreboard final moments of an NCAA college football game against Georgia Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Florida offensive lineman Jawaan Taylor (65) looks to block Idaho linebacker Christian Elliss (1) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Profile
Summary: According to NFL Media analyst Lance Zierlein, Taylor was highly touted coming out of Cocoa High School (Florida), but the Gators coaches requested that the 380-pound lineman drop weight before offering a scholarship. Taylor went "to a listed 347" and then signed his letter of intent with Florida.
Taylor made an immediate impact on the field, starting 12 of 13 games as a freshman and starting all 11 contests the following season.
Taylor sat out the first series of the Gators season opener in 2018 due to not meeting "the Gators" standard but started every game after. According to analytics site Pro Football Focus, he allowed just one sack – and no QB hits – in 364 pass-block snaps as a junior.
Zierlein described Taylor's demeanor as "nasty" and highlighted his "grip strength and core strength that keeps base blocks centered."
"Throwback right tackle with adequate foot quickness for pass-protection duties and above-average size and nastiness to fit the 'road grader' model," Zierlein wrote. "He'll need technique work in the run game and has to keep his weight in check, but he should be an early starter at right tackle or guard with a positive impact on the run game right away."
Click **here** to read Taylor's full profile on NFL.com.
Stacking up: NFL Media analyst Bucky Brooks listed Taylor as this year's **top prospect** among tackles, while The Athletic's Dane Brugler listed him as **fourth-best** among the 2019 class. Daniel Jeremiah initially put Taylor at No. 11 on his list of Top 50 prospects but bumped him down three spots in his **post-combine rankings**.
"In the passing game, he has the foot quickness to cover up speed rushers and the athleticism to redirect versus counter moves," Jeremiah wrote. "He has a bad habit of scooping instead of punching, which allows defenders to get into his chest. However, he is still sturdy versus power rushers, despite giving up his chest. In the run game, he has tremendous upper-body strength to torque and toss defenders.
"He's nasty," Jeremiah added. "Some teams will prefer his power inside at the guard position, but I see him as a quality starting right tackle."
Kicking 'nasty' into gear: Taylor was asked by a media member at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine how he "turns on the mean streak" on game day, and he responded that it's more a natural reflection of his passion for football.
"I'm very competitive," Taylor said. "I love to win. So any time I step on the field, I want to win. That's my aggressive nature. Whoever's in front of me, I just want to attack them and win and play with my team."
