Mike Elko releases statement following Blaise Taylor arrest, murder charges

Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko has released a statement on the situation involving analyst Blaise Taylor. Taylor was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals Thursday evening in Utah and is facing murder charges.

“Our thoughts are with all those affected by this heartbreaking situation, including the family and friends of the victim,” Elko said. “It’s essential to allow the courts to handle this situation with the diligence and fairness it demands. We also would like to extend our prayers and support to Coach Trooper Taylor, Dr. Evelyn Taylor and their family as they navigate this extremely difficult time.”

According to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, U.S. Marshals took Blaise Taylor into custody on Thursday on two counts of first-degree murder for allegedly poisoning his girlfriend, Jade Benning, while visiting her apartment. She went to the hospital on Feb. 25 for what she initially thought was an allergic reaction, and her five-month-old fetus – which Taylor allegedly fathered – died Feb. 27. Benning died March 6, on her 25th birthday.

After the deaths, police said, Taylor moved to Utah. That’s where U.S. Marshals arrested him on Thursday, and Nashville Police are now working to get him back to Tennessee.

More background on Blaise Taylor

Taylor – son of Texas A&M assistant Trooper Taylor – was preparing to join the Aggies’ staff as an analyst, according to Football Scoop. However, that move had yet to be announced.

Taylor previously worked for the Tennessee Titans and spent the 2023 season as a senior analyst at Utah State. That came after a college football career at Arkansas State from 2014-17, where he played defensive back and returned punts, becoming a first team All-Sun Belt selection in the process. He started all four years with the Red Wolves and left as the program’s all-time leader in pass breakups and punt return yards.

Taylor’s father, Trooper, has been a college coach since 1992 and worked with Elko at Duke for the last two seasons. In fact, after Elko left for Texas A&M, Taylor took over as the interim head coach for the Blue Devils’ bowl game. He also coached cornerbacks at Arkansas State while Blaise Taylor played for the Red Wolves.

Now, Trooper Taylor is the running backs coach and associate head coach at Texas A&M as Elko gets ready for his first season at the helm in College Station. Spring practice is underway for the Aggies, and the annual spring game is set for April 20 at Kyle Field.