Fred Taylor

Fred Taylor transitioned from a highly productive NFL running back to a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ ‘Pride of the Jaguars’, and later an owner of a USL Championship soccer club. After being drafted ninth overall in the 1998 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Fred Taylor immediately established himself as a formidable force in the league. In his rookie season, he played 15 games, starting 12, amassing 1,223 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, alongside 44 receptions for 421 yards and 3 touchdowns. His exceptional performance earned him third place for the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1998.

Taylor was named first-team All-Southeastern Conference and Associated Press third-team All-American in 1997, later inducted into the Florida–Georgia Hall of Fame in 2008 and the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame as a ‘Gator Great’ in 2010. Beyond his Hall of Fame football career, Taylor maintains an active presence in the sports world. In 2023, he joined Tim Tebow as a co-owner of a Jacksonville USL Championship soccer club, demonstrating his continued commitment to professional athletics. Further diversifying his professional profile, Taylor graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in sociology in May 2024, showcasing his ongoing pursuit of intellectual and personal growth.