Jonathan Taylor Bio
Jonathan Taylor (born January 19, 1999) is an American professional football running back for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Wisconsin, where he became one of the most prolific rushers in NCAA history before being selected by the Colts in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Taylor has established himself as one of the premier running backs in the NFL, leading the league in rushing yards and touchdowns during the 2021 season and earning multiple Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors throughout his career.
Early Life and Background
Jonathan Taylor was born on January 19, 1999, in Salem, New Jersey, to Elizabeth Taylor and Jonathan James. His father, Jonathan James, played basketball for San Francisco State University from 1982 to 1986, providing young Jonathan with a strong athletic foundation. Taylor attended Salem High School in his hometown, where he quickly made a name for himself as an exceptional football player.
During his high school career, Taylor amassed 4,642 rushing yards and 51 touchdowns. As a senior, he set the New Jersey state record with 2,815 rushing yards, breaking the previous mark held by former Wisconsin Badgers running back Corey Clement. Taylor averaged 234.6 yards per game during his senior season, rushing for 35 touchdowns and scoring 37 total. His outstanding performance earned him the Jim Henry Award as the high school area player of the year for New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.
Beyond football, Taylor was also an accomplished track and field athlete at Salem High School. He won two state titles in the 100-meter dash, posting a personal best time of 10.49 seconds. 247Sports rated Taylor as a three-star prospect and the 24th-ranked running back in the class of 2017. He initially committed to Rutgers University before changing his commitment to the University of Wisconsin-Madison on November 1, 2016.
Path to Professional Football
Taylor arrived at the University of Wisconsin in 2017 as part of a loaded backfield that included Bradrick Shaw and Chris James. He immediately demonstrated his exceptional talent, rushing for 87 yards and a touchdown in his college debut against Utah State. His breakthrough came in Week 2 against Florida Atlantic, where he recorded 26 carries for 223 yards and three touchdowns. By mid-season, Taylor had entered the Heisman Trophy conversation and was regularly ranked among the top-five Heisman candidates.
Taylor reached the 1,000-yard rushing milestone in just his seventh collegiate game, tying the FBS freshman record previously set by legends including Emmitt Smith, Marshall Faulk, and Adrian Peterson. He finished his freshman season with 1,977 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, setting the NCAA record for most rushing yards by a freshman. His performance helped lead Wisconsin to a school-record 13 wins, an appearance in the Big Ten Championship Game, and a victory over Miami (FL) in the Orange Bowl.
His sophomore season in 2018 saw Taylor elevate his game to even greater heights. He led the entire FBS with 2,194 rushing yards and 307 attempts while finishing among the top ten in yards per attempt (7.1) and rushing touchdowns (16). His signature performance came against Purdue, where he rushed for a career-high 321 yards and three touchdowns in triple overtime. Taylor became just the third Wisconsin running back to eclipse the 2,000-yard mark, joining Ron Dayne and Melvin Gordon. He won the Doak Walker Award as college football’s top running back and was named a unanimous first-team All-American.
Jonathan Taylor Career
Wisconsin Badgers (2017–2019)
Taylor’s junior season in 2019 proved to be his most remarkable collegiate campaign. He became the first Wisconsin player to rush for 200 yards against Michigan, finishing the game with 203 yards and two touchdowns. Against Nebraska, he broke Herschel Walker’s record for the most rushing yards through a junior season. He accumulated 2,003 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns, tying for the Big Ten lead in both categories.
Taylor became the second FBS player ever to record two 2,000-yard seasons, joining Troy Davis. He finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting and became the first player to win the Doak Walker Award twice since Darren McFadden in 2006 and 2007. Taylor concluded his college career as the sixth all-time rusher in NCAA history with 6,174 yards (including bowl games) and the first player in FBS history to rush for more than 6,000 yards in any three-year span.
Indianapolis Colts (2020–Present)
Rookie Season (2020)
The Indianapolis Colts selected Taylor in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the 41st overall pick, acquiring the selection from the Cleveland Browns in a trade. He began the season as the backup to Marlon Mack, but his opportunity came immediately when Mack suffered a torn Achilles tendon in Week 1. Taylor stepped into the starting role and never looked back.
His rookie season featured several standout performances, including a 253-yard, two-touchdown game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 17 that broke the Colts franchise record for rushing yards in a game, surpassing Edgerrin James. Taylor finished his rookie year with 1,169 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns across 15 games, earning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month for December and a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
Breakthrough Season (2021)
The 2021 season marked Taylor’s emergence as an elite NFL running back. He started all 17 games and became the first player in league history to compile 100-plus scrimmage yards and at least one rushing touchdown in eight consecutive games. His signature performance came in Week 11 against the Buffalo Bills, where he recorded 185 rushing yards and five total touchdowns, breaking Colts franchise records for rushing touchdowns and total touchdowns in a single game.
Taylor finished the 2021 season as the NFL’s leading rusher with 1,811 yards and the leading rusher in touchdowns with 18. He was unanimously selected First-team All-Pro and earned his first Pro Bowl selection. The Maxwell Football Club awarded him the 2021 Bert Bell Award, recognizing him as the league’s top player. He was named AFC Offensive Player of the Month twice during the season and finished second in AP Offensive Player of the Year voting.
Recent Seasons (2022–2025)
The 2022 season was cut short by injuries, as Taylor suffered an ankle injury in Week 4 and a high ankle sprain in Week 15 that ended his year. He finished with 861 rushing yards and four touchdowns across 11 games. The 2023 season saw a contract dispute that led Taylor to request a trade after a meeting with Colts owner Jim Irsay, though the situation was resolved when he signed a three-year, $42 million extension in October.
Taylor returned to form in 2024, rushing for 1,431 yards and 11 touchdowns while earning his second Pro Bowl selection since 2021. The 2025 season proved to be another remarkable year. He rushed for 244 yards and three touchdowns against the Atlanta Falcons in Berlin, Germany, breaking Edgerrin James’ Colts franchise record for career rushing touchdowns. Taylor finished the 2025 season leading the NFL in rushing attempts and rushing touchdowns with 18, earning his third Pro Bowl selection.
Playing Style and Strengths
Taylor is known for his exceptional combination of speed, power, and vision. His 5-foot-10, 226-pound frame allows him to break tackles while his track and field background gives him breakaway speed. He excels at finding holes and hitting the open field, consistently gaining yards after contact. His durability and ability to contribute as a receiver out of the backfield make him a complete three-down running back in the Colts offense.
Notable Events and Milestones
Taylor has accumulated several franchise and league records throughout his career. His 253-yard rushing game as a rookie remains one of the best performances in Colts history. His record-breaking 2021 season established him among the NFL’s elite at his position. The milestone of surpassing Edgerrin James as the Colts’ all-time leading rusher in career rushing touchdowns in 2025 solidified his place in franchise history.
Jonathan Taylor Career Wins
Throughout his college and professional career, Jonathan Taylor has accumulated impressive statistics across multiple levels of competition. His collegiate career at Wisconsin produced record-breaking numbers, while his NFL tenure has seen him become one of the most productive running backs in the league.
NFL Career Statistics
Through the 2025 season, Taylor has accumulated 7,598 career rushing yards with a 4.9 yards-per-carry average and 69 rushing touchdowns. He has also contributed as a receiver with 187 receptions for 1,469 yards and seven receiving touchdowns. His career highlights include leading the NFL in rushing yards (2021) and rushing touchdowns (2021, 2025), earning First-team All-Pro honors (2021), and being selected to three Pro Bowls (2021, 2024, 2025).
College Achievements
Taylor’s college career at Wisconsin produced remarkable numbers. He finished sixth all-time in NCAA rushing yards with 6,174 yards across three seasons. He led the FBS in rushing yards twice (2018, 2019) and was the NCAA scoring leader in 2019. His two Doak Walker Awards (2018, 2019) recognized him as the nation’s top running back in consecutive seasons. He was a unanimous first-team All-American twice and finished in the top ten of Heisman Trophy voting three times.
| Competition Level | Games Played | Rushing Yards | Rushing TDs | Receptions | Receiving Yards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFL Career (through 2025) | 89 | 7,598 | 69 | 187 | 1,469 |
| College (Wisconsin 2017–2019) | 41 | 6,174 | 50 | 26 | 252 |
Jonathan Taylor Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jonathan Taylor comes from an athletic family with notable sports accomplishments. His father, Jonathan James, played college basketball at San Francisco State University from 1982 to 1986, competing at the Division I level. This athletic heritage provided Jonathan with both the genes and the mindset for success in competitive sports from an early age.
Personal Life
Despite his growing fame as a professional athlete, Taylor maintains strong connections to his New Jersey roots. He has leveraged his platform to connect with fans and has been active on social media. As of 2025, Taylor remains focused on his football career with the Indianapolis Colts while continuing to build on his legacy as one of the NFL’s premier running backs.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a triumphant return to elite form for Jonathan Taylor. After navigating a challenging 2023 season that included a contract dispute and limited action, Taylor reclaimed his status among the NFL’s top running backs. His performance against the Atlanta Falcons in Berlin, Germany, served as the defining moment of his season, as he broke Edgerrin James’ franchise record for career rushing touchdowns while delivering a game-winning overtime performance on an international stage.
Taylor’s consistency throughout the 2025 season demonstrated his durability and continued excellence. He led the NFL in rushing attempts and rushing touchdowns with 18, proving he remains a central figure in the Colts offense. His ability to contribute both as a rusher and receiver kept defenses honest and opened opportunities for the entire offense. Earning his third Pro Bowl selection validated his bounce-back campaign and reinforced his standing as one of the most dynamic running backs in the league.
The future looks bright for Taylor and the Colts organization. With his contract extension through 2026, Taylor has the opportunity to continue building his legacy in Indianapolis. As he enters his sixth NFL season, Taylor appears poised to add to his impressive collection of records and achievements while helping the Colts pursue postseason success.