Devin Taylor, DE, South Carolina Gamecocks: 2013 NFL Draft Player Profile

Feb 25, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks defensive lineman Devin Taylor does a defensive drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Height: 6’7″

Weight: 266 pounds

Position Rank:

Drafted By:

40 Yard Dash:  4.72

Bench Press:  14

Vertical Jump:  35″

Broad Jump:  128

2012 Statistics

Career Highlights

2012: Senior defensive end who started all 13 games… logged 40 tackles with 8.5 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks… also credited with five pass breakups and three hurries… garnered a spot on Phil Steele’s third-team All-SEC unit… had a pair of tackles for loss against UAB… logged 1.5 sacks in the win at Kentucky… earned a spot on Phil Steele’s second-team Midseason All-SEC squad… had 2.0 tackles for loss including a nine-yard sack among his four stops at Florida… had a season-best eight tackles against Wofford including 1.5 tackles for loss… teamed with Jadeveon Clowney for a sack at Clemson… played in 52 games over the past four seasons, making 45 starts… credited with 161 tackles, 35.5 tackles for loss, 18.5 sacks and 22 quarterback hurries… ranks among the Gamecocks’ career top-10 in both sacks (sixth) and tackles for loss (tied for second)… graduated in December with a degree in integrated information technology… participated in the East-West Shrine Game following the season… invited to the NFL Combine.

2011: Talented defensive end who was named honorable mention All-SEC by the Associated Press… started all 13 games, logging 42 tackles, including 31 solo stops… had 8.5 tackles for loss, including 6.0 sacks… credited with an interception, two pass breakups, six hurries and a pair of fumble recoveries… had a season-high nine tackles in the win over Navy… recorded a nine-yard sack against Vanderbilt… added sacks in three consecutive games against Mississippi State, Tennessee and Arkansas… added a sack in the regular season finale against Clemson… had fumble recoveries against Kentucky and Florida… had 2.0 tackles for loss including a sack among his five stops in the Capital One Bowl win over Nebraska… was on the preseason Bednarik, Hendricks, Lombardi and Nagurski watch lists.

2010: Named first-team All-SEC by the Associated Press, Phil Steele and Rivals.com… named second-team All-SEC by the league’s coaches…also was an All-Sophomore first-team selection by CollegeFootballNews.com… started all 14 games… had 46 tackles to lead the Gamecocks’ defensive linemen… led the team and ranked eighth in the SEC with 13.0 tackles for loss… had 7.5 sacks, second on team and fourth in the SEC… led the team with eight pass breakups and 11 quarterback hurries… had five tackles in season-opener vs. Southern Miss… posted five tackles, including 2.0 sacks and 3.0 tackles for loss, in win over Georgia… had five stops, one sack and 2.5 tackle for loss vs. Kentucky… recorded four tackles, 3.0 for loss, and 2.0 sacks vs. Vanderbilt… scored his first career touchdown vs. Tennessee with a 24-yard interception return… also recovered two UT fumbles and had one tackle and a pass breakup, earning SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week accolades… logged a career-high seven stops in the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Florida State.

2009: Split time at defensive end with Clifton Geathers… earned third-team Freshman All-America honors by CollegeFootballNews.com and was a Freshman All-SEC performer according to the SEC coaches… played in 12 of the 13 games (did not dress against Florida due to a bruised sternum) and started each of the first five games… logged 28 tackles with 5.5 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks… also forced two fumbles… made his first start in Carolina’s 7-3 win at NC State… on his first snap from scrimmage, he forced a fumble, which the Gamecocks recovered, leading to the game’s only touchdown… blocked a punt on NC State’s second possession… later forced another fumble… finished the game with six tackles, including a game-high 3.0 tackles for loss and a sack, earning SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors for his efforts… had four tackles each against SC State and Tennessee.

2008: Redshirted as a true freshman.

Scouting Report/Player Notes

One of the top defensive ends in his class, Taylor has been producing ever since he was a sophomore for the Gamecocks. He has great size for a base defensive end, and he can both stop the run and get pressure on the quarterback. As a sophomore, he had 12 tackles for loss and eight sacks, and he followed that up in 2011 as a junior with 8.5 tackles for loss and six sacks. Really good in pursuit, a fantastic athlete, and his length allows him to recover quickly against linemen who otherwise might have the upper hand. Does a good job of getting his hands in the quarterbacks face, causing disruption in the passing lanes. Has some experience dropping back in coverage, and had an interception for a touchdown last season. He could be a candidate to play end/OLB in a 3-4 alignment. Has very good quickness and speed off the ball in passing situations. Could be an elite pass rusher at the NFL level if he works hard enough. Does a pretty good job of reading plays and the direction the play is developing. Knows when to stay home and when to push upfield. Can get caught guessing at times.

Video Highlights (via YouTube)