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Fred Taylor a Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist again

On3 imageby:Keith Niebuhr•12/28/24•

On3Keith

Florida Gators
2 Nov 1996: Florida Gators head coach Steve Spurrier gives instructions to running back Fred Taylor during a game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Jacksonville Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. Florida won the game, 47-7.

Florida Gators running back great Fred Taylor is one of 15 former NFL players named as finalists for enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the hall announced Saturday. He also was a finalist a year ago.

Fred Taylor also had a stellar Florida Gators career

Overall, this is Taylor’s 10th year of eligibility but his candidacy has picked up steam in recent years. Taylor, who earned All-SEC and All-American honors at Florida, helped lead the Florida Gators to the 1996 national title. He then went No. 9 overall in the 1998 NFL Draft to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

During his 13-year pro career, Taylor rushed for 11,695 yards and 66 touchdowns — and had 290 receptions for 2,384 yards and eight touchdowns. He was second-team All-Pro in 2007 when he rushed for 1,202 yards.

All told, Taylor had seven 1,000-yards seasons. He is No. 17 on the NFL’s career rushing list and his 4.6-yards-per carry average is behind only legends Barry Sanders and Jim Brown among NFL players who had more career rushing yards. Taylor was a member of the 1998 All-Rookie team.He ranked in the top 10 for rushing in a season six times in his career and twice was in the top three.

Here is more Taylor info from the hall’s official website:

Started 12 games in rookie season, totaling 1,223 yards rushing on 264 carries … Scored 17 touchdowns as a rookie (14 rushing, three receiving), which still stands as franchise’s single-season record … Named to the PFWA’s All-Rookie Team … Surpassed 1,000 yards rushing in a season seven times, including a career-best 1,572 yards in 2003 … Career rushing totals: 2,534 carries for 11,695 yards and 66 touchdowns … Also caught 290 passes for 2,384 yards and eight scores … After 11 seasons in Jacksonville, played two years for New England Patriots … Second player inducted into Pride of the Jaguars.

Taylor’s son, Kelvin Taylor, also played running back for the Florida Gators.

The Class of 2025 will be unveiled Feb. 6 during the “NFL Honors presented by Invisalign” broadcast on FOX and NFL Network and streamed on NFL+. The show airs at 9 p.m. ET. These are the other finalists:

  • Eric Allen, Cornerback — 1988-1994 Philadelphia Eagles, 1995-97 New Orleans Saints, 1998-2001 Oakland Raiders
  • Jared Allen, Defensive End — 2004-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-15 Chicago Bears, 2015 Carolina Panthers
  • Willie Anderson, Tackle — 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens
  • Jahri Evans, Guard — 2006-2016 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Green Bay Packers
  • Antonio Gates, Tight End — 2003-2018 San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers
  • Torry Holt, Wide Receiver — 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars 
  • Luke Kuechly, Linebacker — 2012-19 Carolina Panthers
  • Eli Manning, Quarterback — 2004-2019 New York Giants
  • Steve Smith Sr., Wide Receiver — 2001-2013 Carolina Panthers, 2014-16 Baltimore Ravens
  • Terrell Suggs, Outside Linebacker/Defensive End — 2003-2018 Baltimore Ravens, 2019 Arizona Cardinals, 2019 Kansas City Chiefs
  • Adam Vinatieri, Kicker — 1996-2005 New England Patriots, 2006-2019 Indianapolis Colts
  • Reggie Wayne, Wide Receiver — 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts
  • Darren Woodson, Safety — 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys
  • Marshal Yanda, Guard/Tackle — 2007-2019 Baltimore Ravens

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