JASON TAYLOR II | Oklahoma State 5115 | 204 lbs. | 5SR Oklahoma City, Okla. (Carl Albert) 12/30/1999 (age 23.33) #25

BACKGROUND: Jason Taylor II, who has two sisters, was born and raised in Oklahoma City and started playing football at age 7. He wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father (Jason), who played defensive line at FCS Langston. Tragically, his father was shot and killed outside of an Oklahoma City convenience store on New Year’s Eve (December 2007), a day after Taylor’s eighth birthday. The family moved to Midwest City, Okla., when Taylor was in middle school, and he attended Carl Albert High School where was a four-year varsity letterman on offense (wide receiver) and defense (safety). As a junior, he helped Carl Albert to a 13-1 record and the 2016 5A state championship with 72 tackles and four interceptions. As a senior, Taylor led the program to a second-straight state championship with a 14-0 record in 2017. He finished his final season with nine interceptions on defense and 42 catches for 796 yards and 14 touchdowns on offense, earning first team all-state and district MVP honors. Taylor also lettered in basketball. A three-star recruit, Taylor was the No. 59 safety in the 2018 class and the No. 14 recruit in Oklahoma. He received offers from Memphis and Tulsa, but he had his eyes on Stillwater once Oklahoma State offered him a scholarship. Taylor committed to head coach Mike Gundy prior to his junior season. His older sister (Ja’Lynn) played college volleyball at Langston in 2017. Taylor accepted his invitation to the 2023 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl and was also a late callup to the Senior Bowl.

YEAR (GP/GS) TKLS TFL SACK FF PD INT NOTES
2018: (3/0) 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 Redshirted
2019: (13/1) 16 1.0 0.0 0 0 0
2020: (11/0) 12 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 85-yard FR TD; 48-yard onside KR TD
2021: (14/13) 48 6.5 2.5 1 6 2 Honorable Mention All-Big 12; 85-yard INT TD; Blocked FG
2022: (13/13) 99 3.5 0.0 0 13 6 First Team All-Big 12; Led team in tackles, PD; Led Big 12 in INTs
Total: (54/27) 175 11.0 2.5 1 19 8

HT WT ARM HAND WING 40-YD 20-YD 10-YD VJ BJ SS 3C BP
COMBINE 5115 204 32 10 78 1/4 4.50 2.55 1.49 43 10’9” – – 14 (no shuttle or 3-cone – choice)
PRO DAY 5114 203 32 1/8 9 3/8 77 3/4 – – – – – 4.20 7.16 – (stood on Combine testing)

STRENGTHS: Well-built with good length for his size … aggressive working from the top down versus both the pass and run … plays with functional range and lower body explosion (43-inch vertical was second among all combine prospects) … above-average instincts from the post or box … anticipates well and trusts his vision to decisively break on crossers/in-breakers … balances his eyeline between quarterback and route mid-motion … accounted for 19 passes defended and eight interceptions over the past two seasons … didn’t commit a penalty in college … fills inside/outside run lanes with conviction … faces up the ball carrier and drives through his target as a tackler … offers a ton of experience on special teams (536 snaps) … tape got better and better each season.

WEAKNESSES: Follows the eyes of the quarterback to the ball, and savvy passers will know how to use it against him … will take the cheese and false step, creating open windows … inconsistent deep-third tracking, and the ball can get over the top of him as a single-high defender … lacks elite long speed to hold up in mirror-andmatch man coverage versus the slot … inconsistencies as a tackler show at times … must improve his footwork and fundamentals in the open field … doesn’t always play through blockers with his eyes and can get stuck at the point of attack.

SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Oklahoma State, Taylor was a field safety in former defensive coordinator Derek Mason’s scheme. His play and production improved each season in Stillwater, and he created big plays with eight interceptions the past two seasons and three career touchdowns (two defensive, one special teams). Though he makes some missteps in man-to-man, Taylor offers athletic range and ball skills from the post/deep half and has outstanding eyes from depth to read and track the football. He can run the alley and takes fast angles to the ball carrier, but he needs to stay controlled with his finishing fundamentals. Overall, Taylor needs to clean up his overaggressive tendencies, but he displays above-average instincts and play urgency to the football. He projects best as a post safety in the NFL with core special teams ability.

GRADE: 4th-5th Round

Jason Taylor II THREAD:

Jason Taylor II is a 6’ 204 SAF with 32” arms. The Oklahoma State product played all over. He played FS, Slot, SS. He’s a movable piece on defense. He had 6 INTs and 7 PBU in 2022. He has solid speed and short area quickness. pic.twitter.com/fymAe29Pfy

— Koll_0ne (@Koll_0ne) April 30, 2023

Koll_0ne@Koll_0ne
His explosion is what sets him apart along with his instincts. He’s always in position to make the necessary play. He’s quick to trigger downhill and lay a big hit too. He’s a solid open field tackler as well. I’d like to see him clean up some of his run fits though

I think he’s got enough range to play 2 high SAF but I don’t think he’s got enough juice to consistently play single high. Doesn’t matter bc Rams don’t typically run that. He’s an experienced special teams player. I think he can see field early on ST

Taylor II could develop into a solid starter at some point too ala Nick Scott. Similar play style and instincts. Can tell he is a confident player in the secondary and a good communicator. He’s an all around solid SAF without a glaring weakness to his game. Has good ball skills

Our @dpbrugler had a solid grade on Rams pick No. 234 S Jason Taylor relative to his pick point: pic.twitter.com/GoXusjzR3U

— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) April 29, 2023