2015 DETROIT LIONS MEDIA GUIDE

98 - DEVIN TAYLOR
Defensive End South Carolina Beaufort, S.C.
Year: 3 Ht: 6-7 Wt: 275 Born: 11/15/89
Draft: ’13, R4 (132)-Det
Complete biographical information available on Detroitlions.com.
TRANSACTIONS
‣ ¾ Drafted by the Detroit Lions in the fourth round (132nd overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft.
PRO
A fourth-round pick (132nd overall) in 2013, Taylor is a lengthy defensive end who rotated into the Lions’ stout defensive
line as a rookie last season, and continued to produce again in 2014.
2014: Contributed at defensive end in a rotational role along the defensive line, finishing his second NFL season with 15
total tackles (11 solo), one sack (two yards) and one pass defense.
‣ ¾ Recorded a quarterback hit in Week 1 vs. New York Giants (9/8).
‣ ¾ Recorded four tackles, including a tackle for loss and a quarterback hit in Week 2 at Carolina (9/14).
‣ ¾ Registered one tackle in Week 4 at New York Jets (9/28).
‣ ¾ Posted one tackle in Week 5 vs. Buffalo (10/5).
‣ ¾ Deflected one pass that led to a LB Tahir Whitehead interception in Week 6 at Minnesota (10/12).
‣ ¾ Registered two tackles and a quarterback hit in Week 10 vs. Miami (11/09).
‣ ¾ Posted two tackles in Week 11 at Arizona (11/16).
‣ ¾ Recorded two tackles (one for loss), one sack and one quarterback hit in Week 15 vs. Minnesota (12/14).
‣ ¾ Posted one tackle in Week 17 at Green Bay (12/28).
2013: Played in 14 games (two starts) in his rookie season, tallying 14 tackles (nine solo), 2.5 sacks (18.5 yards), one pass
defense and two forced fumbles. Combined with fellow rookie DE Ezekiel Ansah to form one of the best rookie defensive
end combinations in the NFL in 2013.
‣ ¾ Made his rookie debut in Week 2 at Arizona (9/15).
‣ ¾ Inactive in Week 3 at Washington (9/22).
‣ ¾ Recorded a quarterback hit in Week 4 vs. Chicago (9/29).
‣ ¾ Posted two solo tackles in Week 5 at Green Bay (10/6).
‣ ¾ Registered three tackles (two solo), one sack (14 yards) and one forced fumble in Week 6 at Cleveland (10/13).
‣ ¾ Posted two tackles (one solo), including one tackle for loss, and one quarterback hit in Week 7 vs. Cincinnati (10/20).
‣ ¾ Registered one solo tackle in Week 8 vs. Dallas (10/27). Drew a crucial holding penalty late in the fourth quarter that
stopped the clock and gave QB Matthew Stafford enough time to engineer an 80-yard game-winning touchdown drive.
‣ ¾ Started his first game and had one quarterback hit in Week 10 at Chicago (11/10).
‣ ¾ Started his second consecutive game at defensive end in Week 11 at Pittsburgh (11/17).
‣ ¾ Had his best game of the season on Thanksgiving Day, racking up 1.5 sacks (six yards), one of which forced a fumble,
three tackles (two solo) and two quarterback hits in Week 13 vs. Green Bay (11/28).
‣ ¾ Assisted on a tackle and had one quarterback hit in Week 15 vs. Baltimore (12/16).
‣ ¾ Posted one solo tackle for loss and a pass defense in Week 16 vs. New York Giants (12/22).
COLLEGE
Powerful defensive end with great length that started 45-of-52 games at South Carolina, including the final 40 games of
his career. Recorded 161 tackles (107 solo), including 35.5 tackles for loss, 18.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, five fumble
recoveries, 16 pass defenses and two interceptions (both returned for a touchdown) at strong-side defensive end.
2012: Named All-Southeastern Conference Third Team as he started all 13 games for the Gamecocks, extending his
impressive string to 40 consecutive assignments with the first unit. Posted 45 tackles (27 solo), three sacks, one fumble
recovery and six pass defenses.
‣ ¾ Part of a defensive unit that finished 11th in the nation in total defense (315.54 ypg) as the unit recorded a total of 40
sacks on the season.
PERSONAL
Attended Beaufort (S.C.) High School where he helped lead his team to the Class 4A state championship game his senior
year. As a senior, recorded 110 tackles with 10 sacks and 19 tackles for loss and received Associated Press First Team
All-State honors.
‣ ¾ Also lettered in basketball and track & field where as a senior, he won the Class 4A state title in triple jump with a
leap of 48 feet 3 inches.
‣ ¾ Graduated from South Carolina with a degree in Integrated Information Technology.
‣ ¾ Wears several thin wrist bands, each one representing a different life event.
‣ ¾ Son of Sylvia Cuyler and Larry Taylor.
TAYLOR’S SINGLE-GAME BESTS
Tackles:.....................................................................................4 at Car 09/14/14
Sacks:.................................................................................... 1.5 vs. GB 11/28/13
Sack Yards:.............................................................................14 at Cle 10/13/13
Forced Fumbles:.............................................. 1 (twice) Last vs. GB 11/28/13
Pass Defenses:.....................................................................1 vs. NYG 12/22/13
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