Vincent Taylor

Oklahoma State is nationally known more for its explosive offense rather than churning out NFL defensive line prospects but the Cowboys' reputation may be changing with Taylor a Top 75 candidate just one year after the Cleveland Browns made his former teammate Emmanuel Ogbah the No. 32 overall pick of the 2016 draft. With Ogbah - the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year - generating the bulk of attention from opponents, Taylor did not receive as much fanfare as perhaps he should have in 2015, given that he jumped from just 13 tackles as a redshirt freshman to 48 stops, including 8.5 for loss, five sacks and a blocked kick. Taylor certainly seized the spotlight in 2016, however, leading the country with four blocked kicks and earning First Team All-Big 12 honors with career-highs in virtually every statistic, including tackles (51), tackles for loss (13) and sacks (seven). He gave up his final year of college eligibility to enter the NFL a day after earning Defensive MVP honors with seven tackles (including a sack) in the Cowboys' 38-8 shellacking of Colorado in the Cotton Bowl. Taylor has shown steady improvement over his career, dominating opponents at the college level, at times, due to his upper body strength. He does not possess an ideal frame for the position, however, raising some concerns as to whether he will be able to duplicate this success at the next level. STRENGTHS: Taylor's best attribute is his upper body strength. He provides a powerful jolt to would-be blockers, extending his arms and simply tossing opponents aside when ballcarriers are near. He possesses long arms and excellent strength in his hands to grab hold of ballcarriers, immediately halting their forward momentum. Taylor's power comes into play as a bull rusher, where his leg drive allows him to push blockers deep into the pocket in the passing game and while rushing the kicker. He possesses good initial quickness for a man of his size, showing the ability to shoot gaps and force ballcarriers to bounce outside. Taylor accelerates smoothly and flashes top effort in his pursuit downfield, at times, running 10-15 yards downfield in an attempt to chase down ballcarriers. WEAKNESSES: Taylor carries too much weight above his belt, with barrel chest, big belly and relatively slim legs that leaves him too often off-balance. This leaves him especially vulnerable to cut blocks and not as effective as a run-stuffer his listed size and upper body strength would suggest. He possesses just average flexibility for the position, struggling to change directions quickly enough to corral ballcarriers who see him coming. He is reliant upon his initial burst to split a gap or brute strength as a bull rusher to push the pocket, showing only a rudimentary pass rush arsenal. IN OUR VIEW: Taylor's top-heavy frame will be a concern for some but he possesses enough initial quickness, power and motor to overcome it, projecting best as a defensive tackle in a 4-3 alignment.

Coached by Jim Streety

Class 5A first-team all-state selection by the Associated Press Sports Editors and the Texas Sportswriters Association

Participated in the Offense-Defense All-America Game

A first-team selection to the Texas Football Magazine Super Team and the San Antonio Express-News Super Team

Recorded 79 tackles (12 for loss) and two sacks as a senior

Honored as the area player of the year by the San Antonio Express-News

District defensive player of the year

A four-star recruit by ESPN.com and a three-star prospect by both Rivals.com and Scout.com

Ranked by ESPN.com as the No. 24 defensive tackle in the country and as the No. 39 overall player in the state of Texas, regardless of position

Ranked as the No. 28 defensive tackle in America by Rivals.com and the nation’s No. 33 defensive tackle by Scout.com

Held offers from Baylor, Texas Tech, Vanderbilt and Purdue, among others.

Vincent Taylor was born Jan. 5, 1994, in New Orleans, La.

Son of Angela Taylor and Victor Taylor

University studies/education major.

2016

fumbles
REC	LOST	FUM
2.0	0.0	0.0

defensive
TFL	QB HUR	TOT	TD	PD	SACKS	SOLO
12.5	2.0	51.0	0.0	1.0	7.0	29.0