Devin Taylor
Encyclopedia
Devin Taylor is an American football
defensive end
with the University of South Carolina Gamecocks
. A relatively unheralded 3-star prospect coming out of high school, Taylor has since emerged as one of the top pass rushers in the SEC
after the 2010 season, which earned him recognition from ESPN as the sixth-best player in the SEC coming into the 2011 season.
in Beaufort, South Carolina
, where he helped lead his team to the 4A state championship game his senior year. He recorded 110 tackles with 10 sacks and 19 tackles for loss during his senior campaign, which was recognized with first-team All-State selections from The Associated Press and The State. He recorded 80 tackles and 4 sacks as a junior. Taylor also lettered in basketball and track & field. As a senior he won the 4A state title in triple jump with a leap of 48 feet 3 inches.
for the duration of the 2009 season. Taylor earned recognition as the SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week in his first career college football game against NC State. In his first career college snap, Taylor forced a fumble that was recovered by the Gamecocks
, which led to the only touchdown of the game. On NC State's second possession, he blocked a punt. He finished the game with 6 tackles (3 for loss), 2 forced fumbles, and a sack. In the 2009 season he recorded a total of 28 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks.
, which coupled with two fumble recoveries earned him recognition as SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week. Taylor, along with teammates Alshon Jeffery and Marcus Lattimore
, was a first-team selection for the 2010 Associated Press All-SEC team.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
defensive end
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
with the University of South Carolina Gamecocks
South Carolina Gamecocks football
The South Carolina Gamecocks football team represents the University of South Carolina in NCAA Division I college football. The Gamecocks have been a member of the Southeastern Conference since 1992. Steve Spurrier is the current head coach, and the team plays its home games at Williams-Brice...
. A relatively unheralded 3-star prospect coming out of high school, Taylor has since emerged as one of the top pass rushers in the SEC
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
after the 2010 season, which earned him recognition from ESPN as the sixth-best player in the SEC coming into the 2011 season.
Early years
Taylor attended Beaufort High SchoolBeaufort High School
Beaufort High School is a 4 year secondary school in Beaufort, South Carolina. It is one of the three public high schools in Beaufort along with Battery Creek High School and Whale BranchHigh School. The principal is Dan Durbin...
in Beaufort, South Carolina
Beaufort, South Carolina
Beaufort is a city in and the county seat of Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States. Chartered in 1711, it is the second-oldest city in South Carolina, behind Charleston. The city's population was 12,361 in the 2010 census. It is located in the Hilton Head Island-Beaufort Micropolitan...
, where he helped lead his team to the 4A state championship game his senior year. He recorded 110 tackles with 10 sacks and 19 tackles for loss during his senior campaign, which was recognized with first-team All-State selections from The Associated Press and The State. He recorded 80 tackles and 4 sacks as a junior. Taylor also lettered in basketball and track & field. As a senior he won the 4A state title in triple jump with a leap of 48 feet 3 inches.
2009
Taylor started the first 5 games but split playing time with Clifton GeathersClifton Geathers
Clifton Geathers is a defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League...
for the duration of the 2009 season. Taylor earned recognition as the SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week in his first career college football game against NC State. In his first career college snap, Taylor forced a fumble that was recovered by the Gamecocks
South Carolina Gamecocks football
The South Carolina Gamecocks football team represents the University of South Carolina in NCAA Division I college football. The Gamecocks have been a member of the Southeastern Conference since 1992. Steve Spurrier is the current head coach, and the team plays its home games at Williams-Brice...
, which led to the only touchdown of the game. On NC State's second possession, he blocked a punt. He finished the game with 6 tackles (3 for loss), 2 forced fumbles, and a sack. In the 2009 season he recorded a total of 28 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks.
2010
Taylor started all 14 games and led USC defensive linemen with 46 tackles, including 13 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. He also led the team with 8 pass breakups and 11 quarterback hurries. He scored a touchdown on a 24-yard interception return at TennesseeTennessee Volunteers football
The Tennessee Volunteers football team are an American college football team at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville . The NCAA Division I team is also a member of the Southeastern Conference ....
, which coupled with two fumble recoveries earned him recognition as SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week. Taylor, along with teammates Alshon Jeffery and Marcus Lattimore
Marcus Lattimore
Marcus Lattimore is an American football running back. He currently attends the University of South Carolina in his sophomore year.-Early years:...
, was a first-team selection for the 2010 Associated Press All-SEC team.