Former Florida Gator and Jacksonville Jaguar, Fred Taylor shared a personal anecdote with Hard Rock Bet about how he almost became a Miami Hurricane but turned it down because the school wanted to recruit him as a linebacker, which wasn't the position, he envisioned himself in a the college and pro level. Taylor mentioned that Florida, while his least favorite of the three state schools, turned out to be the best decision for his career. Turns out Taylor made the right choice with the running back position as well.
Taylor was drafted in the first round by the Jaguars in 1998. He gained 11,271 yards rushing, 2,361 receiving, averaged 4.6 per rush and scored a combination of 70 touchdowns running and receiving. He finished his career with two seasons at New England.
Taylor recorded the first of his seven 1,000-yard seasons with 1,223 yards as a rookie, with 14 touchdowns. Two years later he had a career high of 1,399 yards. The former Jacksonville legend ranks 17th all-time in NFL rushing yards with 11,695.
At Florida, Taylor started in two season playing for from 1994 to 1997. He finished his Gators career ranked fourth in school history with 3,075 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns.
Here is why Taylor choice Florida and the running back position and why it helped in the long run.
Fred Taylor: "I got a story for you. Mind if I tell? Junior year in high school getting recruited got a letter from UoM. They wanted to recruit me as a linebacker. That was the only reason that I didn't become a Miami Hurricane. I didn't want to play linebacker."
Bet MGM: Now, who was the coach who recruited you?
Fred Taylor: "I believe it was around the Erikson era? I don't know. Eric 94 is when I graduated high school. So 92/93."
Bet MGM: Okay. And they were in a little bit more spread at that time?
Fred Taylor: "They kept dogs man, UoM, that again the mystique of those glory days, right. I just didn't want to play linebacker, I just started really playing running back and I fell in love with the position I want to be a running back and they had some really good players you know on the roster. So, Florida was an opportunity it was the least of my three state schools - my least favorite. It was UoM, Florida State and Florida, but Florida….it was the best decision I ever made."
Bet MGM: You enjoyed being a Gator. You enjoyed your time?
Fred Taylor: "Absolutely. Wouldn't change it for anything"
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.