Colorado University Athletics
Buffs LB Taylor Goes To Eagles in Third Round Of NFL Draft
April 24, 2020 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — Colorado outside linebacker Davion Taylor took the next step in what has been an improbable journey Friday night when he was selected in the third round of the NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Taylor, taken with the 103rd pick overall (39th in the third round) became the second Buff taken in the draft, following Jacksonville's pick of wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. in the second round earlier Friday.
The Eagles were clearly impressed with Taylor's athleticism.
"This guy is one of the fastest, most explosive players in the draft," Executive Vice President/General Manager Howie Roseman said. "Obviously, he has some raw (talent) to his game. That's why he's there in the third round. But I think we have a vision for how he's going to be used in our defense, and I think it's consistent with what we talked about when we started the offseason. This guy is very fast. He has a role. Obviously, he has a role not only on defense, but also on special teams. But we think this guy has the traits in his body to develop into a starter who can make plays all over the field. That's what we think his ceiling is, and we have to get him there."
Taylor is seen as a "raw" talent because he is still a relative newcomer to the game. The 6-0, 228-pounder did not play high school football because games on the weekends conflicted with his family's religious beliefs. He practiced with his high school team during the week but did not play in the games.
But he finally began playing when he enrolled at Coahoma (Miss.) Community College and quickly made up for lost time. He made the football team as a freshman walk-on, then became one of the nation's top junior college prospects as a sophomore when he finished with 87 tackles (three for loss), three pass breakups and one interception.
Taylor's athleticism caught the eye of Division I coaches across the nation, as he also ran track at CCC and qualified for the NJCAA national championships in the 100-meter dash. He signed with Colorado and started 10 games in 2018, when he finished with 52 tackles, including nine for loss. He also ran track as a junior and finished sixth in the Pac-12 100-meter dash.
Taylor's game improved dramatically as a senior under the tutelage of defensive coordinator Tyson Summers. Playing CU's hybrid safety/linebacker spot, he sharpened his instincts each week and earned honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors, finishing with 69 tackles (8.5 for loss) and seven pass breakups. He significantly improved his pass coverage game and is considered to have a huge upside as he continues to learn the nuances of the game.
Taylor then put together an outstanding NFL Combine, where he ran a 4.49-second 40-yard dash and recorded a 35-inch vertical leap. His draft stock steadily climbed throughout the spring, culminating with his selection Friday.
"I love the defense, 4-3, it's something I'm really kind of used to because I ran it at community college and a little bit at Colorado," Taylor told the Philadelphia media late Friday night. "I know I'm going to fit in perfectly, and just throughout the draft process I've learned a lot when it comes to just that scheme. I just know I'm going to fit in perfectly, and I'm ready to get in and start learning because I'm just anxious just to get on the field."
I can't say enough about @DavionTaylot ... greatest person ever, hardest worker ever, most improved player I have ever coached!
— Coach Summers (@Coach__Summers) April 25, 2020
Most appreciative player, greatest team player ever, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this young man! He made me better as person and a coach every MINUTE of every DAY! https://t.co/jkErETm0PI
