Part of one of the most physical linebacking trios in college football, Taylor, Jarvis Jackson and Danny Verdun Wheeler combined to start 91 games during their careers. It seems like Bulldog fans have been cheering for a Taylor at linebacker for a long time, as his father, Nate, was a standout linebacker at Georgia from 1979-82.

A versatile defender with outstanding hands, Taylor made the national media take notice of his play in 2006, as he tied for eighth in the nation with seven interceptions.

Taylor was an Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super Southern 100, Top 50 in Georgia, and AAAA first-team all-state selection as a defensive back in his junior and senior seasons at Oconee County High School. He was a Georgia Sports Writers Association all-state defensive back, Prep Star All-American, Super Prep All-Dixie Team and Athens Banner Herald 2001 Northeast Georgia Player of the Year as a senior.

He was named to the All-Northeast Georgia team during his junior and senior years, as the versatile athlete played safety, linebacker, tailback, fullback, kick returner and punt returner. Taylor recorded 54 tackles, four sacks, four interceptions and scored four defensive touchdowns his senior year. He also rushed for 816 yards and 16 touchdowns on 112 carries as a senior, and caught 25 passes for 356 yards and two scores.

As a junior, Taylor recorded 91 tackles and two interceptions. He was an all-area pick as a goalie in soccer, his first year competing in the sport. A two-year starter in basketball, he recorded a quadruple-double in a game as a senior.

Following in his father's footsteps, it was a natural for Taylor to line up at linebacker in 2002 for Georgia. He appeared in 14 games, starting against Georgia Tech, finishing his first season with 38 tackles (20 solos) and a stop for a loss. He took over weakside outside linebacker duties in 2003, missing the Alabama game with a knee sprain. He totaled 82 tackles (51 solos), a sack, four stops for losses and two pressures. He deflected two passes and intercepted two others.

During 2004 spring drills, Taylor tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and suffered other leg damage that required surgery. The injury would sideline him for the year and he was granted a medical hardship. He returned to action in 2005, starting nine games at middle linebacker, but was forced to sit out four contests after undergoing in-season left knee surgery. He still managed to finish fifth on the team with 56 tackles (36 solos), adding a sack and 5.5 stops for losses, along with five pressures.

Taylor shifted back to weakside linebacker in 2006. He earned second-team All-Southeastern Conference honors while starting 13 games. He led the team with 96 tackles (65 solos), adding three sacks, 11 pressures and 7.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage. He returned one of two fumble recoveries for a touchdown and ranked second in the SEC with seven interceptions, returning one for a score.

In 49 games at Georgia, Taylor started 35 times. He registered 272 tackles (172 solos) with five sacks for minus-35 yards, 18 stops for losses of 58 yards and 18 quarterback pressures. He caused three fumbles and recovered four others, returning two a total of 38 yards, including a touchdown. He deflected seven passes and intercepted 10 others for 111 yards in returns, including a score.

Positives: Has adequate muscle definition, but his thick frame can carry at least another 15 pounds of bulk … His ability to plug holes at the line of scrimmage and a lack of range make him more ideally suited to play in the middle than on the weak side … Solid-effort type who battles until the whistle … Inside-the-box type who is best making plays that come directly toward him (lacks speed and range) … Solid contact hitter who keeps his pad level low and arms extended to wrap and secure … Displays natural hands and great ball skills, doing a nice job of looking the ball in … Will compete for jump balls and shows good ball anticipation (has a knack for knowing when to break on the thrown ball) … Is quick to make his reads and has the low center of gravity to slip blocks and make plays in the gaps … Can cover in the zone's short area and takes good angles in backside pursuit.

Negatives: Has marginal speed or range and a long history of knee problems that make him a potential medical risk … Struggles to get through trash (needs a free lane to penetrate), as he lacks the bulk to prevent the bigger blockers from locking-on and controlling him at the line … Lacks the hip wiggle and foot speed to come off the edge efficiently (runs around blocks rather than through them) … Needs to do a better job of using his hands to shed blocks and disengage (gets locked-on often) … Does not show the hand punch needed to re-route tight ends and backs … Lacks the speed to get wide and make plays outside the box … Does not have the loose hips to mirror receivers and struggles to come out of his breaks cleanly … Fails to get good depth in his pass drops to be effective playing the zone at the next level … Lacks route recognition or the ability to anticipate the receiver's moves … Has no explosion to surprise a lethargic blocker on the blitz … Has had two off-field incidents that warrant further explanation.

Compares To: Takeo Spikes, Philadelphia -- He is certainly not the talent that Spikes is/was, but there are comparisons, as injuries could also prevent Taylor from playing up to the speed that he showed earlier in his career … Despite impressive interception figures, Taylor's lack of range and quickness make him a liability on passing downs … He is a possible fit as a middle linebacker, but with his injury history, using a draft pick on him could be risky.

2002: Sustained a concussion in early September, but did not miss any games.

2003: Sat out the Alabama game with a right ankle sprain.

2004: Missed the entire season after undergoing surgery in April to repair a right knee torn anterior cruciate ligament.

2005: Sat out the Vanderbilt and Arkansas games with a left knee ulnar collateral ligament sprain … Missed the Kentucky and Georgia Tech contests after undergoing left knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus.

Campus: 4.88 in the 40-yard dash … 34-inch vertical jump … 32-inch arm length … 8 3/8-inch hands … Right-handed … Wears contacts.

Combine: 4.95 in the 40-yard dash … 1.71 10-yard dash … 2.86 20-yard dash … 4.36 20-yard shuttle … 11.95 60-yard shuttle … 7.17 three-cone drill … 32-inch vertical jump … 9-foot broad jump … Bench pressed 225 pounds 26 times.

Attended Oconee County (Watkinsville, Ga.) High School, playing football for head coach Jeff Arnette … Atlanta Journal-Constitution Super Southern 100, Top 50 in Georgia, and AAAA first-team all-state selection as a defensive back in his junior and senior seasons … Georgia Sports Writers Association all-state defensive back, Prep Star All-American, Super Prep All-Dixie Team and Athens Banner Herald 2001 Northeast Georgia Player of the Year as a senior … Named to the All-Northeast Georgia team during his junior and senior years, as the versatile athlete played safety, linebacker, tailback, fullback, kick returner and punt returner … Recorded 54 tackles, four sacks, four interceptions, and scored four defensive touchdowns his senior season … Rushed for 816 yards and 16 touchdowns on 112 carries as a senior and caught 25 passes for 356 yards and two scores … As a junior, Taylor recorded 91 tackles and two interceptions … All-area pick as a goalie in soccer, his first year competing in the sport … Two-year starter in basketball, recording a quadruple-double in a game as a senior.

Sports Studies major … Father, Nate Taylor, was four-year letterman at linebacker for Georgia (1979-82) … Born July 21, 1984 … Resides in Watkinsville, Ga.