Jacksonville Jaguars select Florida star Jawaan Taylor on Day 2 of the NFL Draft
By SDS Staff
Published:
From 3-star recruit to the second round of the NFL Draft.
Former Florida right tackle Jawaan Taylor was just selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the NFL Draft at No. 35 overall on Friday night.
The 6-5, 339-pound junior is from Cocoa, Fla., and he signed with the Gators in the 2016 recruiting class. He was then-rated as the nation’s No. 46 OG and the state of Florida’s No. 131 overall prospect, according to 247Sports Composite Rankings.
During his third and final season (the first under Dan Mullen) at Florida, Taylor played in all 13 games and started 12 at right tackle, and he’s considered by most as the top right tackle in the 2019 NFL Draft. Many were surprised when he slid out of the first round Thursday night.
Taylor once weighed 384 pounds as a high school prospect, but he lost the necessary weight to make himself into a great college tackle. Pro Football Focus said Taylor allowed just one sack in 2019 after allowing six in 2016 and three in 2017.
The best attribute about Taylor’s game is his powerful run blocking ability. He’s a motor grader, and he moves big bodies that don’t want to be moved.
Taylor reminds us of Redskins’ tackle Morgan Moses (6-6, 314 pounds), who’s excelled at right tackle during his pro career. The former Florida standout should make a great NFL player.
Saturday Down South reports and comments on the news around the Southeastern Conference as well as larger college football topics.
