Reese Taylor Bio
Reese Taylor (born August 27, 1999) is an American professional football cornerback and special teamer for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Indiana Hoosiers and Purdue Boilermakers and was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2023. Taylor has developed as a defensive back with experience on practice squads before earning his first promotion to an NFL active roster in 2025.
Early Life and Background
Reese Taylor was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on August 27, 1999. He attended Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis, where he played quarterback for the varsity team. Taylor demonstrated exceptional talent as a dual-threat quarterback, earning All-State honors twice during his high school career. His leadership and playmaking ability carried Ben Davis to a state championship during his senior season in 2017.
Taylor’s outstanding performance as a high school quarterback earned him the prestigious 2017 Indiana Mr. Football Award, recognizing him as the top high school football player in the state. This achievement highlighted his athletic abilities and football instincts that would later translate to success at the collegiate level.
Path to American Football
Following his record-breaking high school career, Taylor accepted a scholarship to play at Indiana University. He joined the Indiana Hoosiers football program in 2018, where he initially played on offense as a reserve player. During his freshman season, Taylor appeared in all 12 games, recording 7 tackles while also contributing 174 receiving yards and 83 rushing yards, showcasing his versatility.
Prior to the 2019 season, Taylor made a significant positional transition by moving from offensive player to cornerback on defense. This switch demonstrated his willingness to adapt his skills to meet team needs and established the foundation for his professional career as a defensive back.
Reese Taylor Career
Indiana Hoosiers (2018–2021)
Taylor’s transition to cornerback proved successful early on. In the 2019 season, he appeared in 11 games with one start, recording 13 tackles, one interception, one tackle-for-loss, and two pass breakups. His defensive instincts and ball skills became evident as he adjusted to the new position.
The 2020 season marked a breakthrough for Taylor as a defensive player. He led the Indiana defense with seven pass breakups while accumulating 29 tackles, one interception, four tackles-for-loss, and one sack. Additionally, he began contributing on special teams as a punt returner, gaining 73 punt return yards throughout the season.
In his final season with the Hoosiers during 2021, Taylor continued his development with 25 tackles, three tackles-for-loss, one sack, and two pass breakups across nine games with five starts. He also added 32 punt return yards, further establishing his value as a multi-position player capable of contributing on both defense and special teams.
Purdue Boilermakers (2022)
For his fifth year of college eligibility, Taylor transferred to Purdue University in 2022 to join the Purdue Boilermakers program. This move provided him with a fresh start and additional opportunities to showcase his abilities as a senior. He immediately earned a starting role, appearing in all 13 games and making 12 starts at cornerback.
Taylor’s 2022 season at Purdue represented his most productive collegiate campaign. He recorded a career-high 34 tackles, demonstrating his growth as an instinctive defender. He also contributed one interception and four pass breakups, reflecting his reliability in pass coverage. This strong senior season positioned him well for his transition to professional football.
Kansas City Chiefs (2023)
After going unselected in the 2023 NFL Draft, Taylor signed as an undrafted free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs. He participated in the Chiefs’ offseason program and played extensively during the preseason, recording 65 defensive snaps across all three games. He accumulated six tackles and one quarterback hit during the exhibition season before being waived during final roster cuts. The Chiefs signed him to their practice squad the following day, though he was released shortly thereafter.
Denver Broncos Era (2023–Present)
On November 8, 2023, Taylor was signed to the Denver Broncos practice squad. He demonstrated consistency and dedication throughout the 2023 and 2024 seasons while remaining on the practice squad, ultimately signing a reserve/futures contract on January 8, 2024. He experienced roster fluctuation during the 2024 and 2025 seasons, being waived and re-signed to the practice squad multiple times while continuing to develop his craft.
On November 15, 2025, Taylor was promoted to the Broncos active roster for the first time in his career. This milestone marked the culmination of his perseverance through multiple seasons on practice squads and represented his official arrival as an NFL player. His promotion reflected his continued preparation and readiness when called upon.
Driving Style and Strengths
Taylor’s playing style as a cornerback emphasizes physicality and tactical intelligence in coverage. His background as a quarterback provided him with valuable understanding of offensive schemes and receiver routes, giving him an analytical edge in anticipating plays. His experience as both a defensive player and special teams contributor has made him a versatile asset capable of filling multiple roles when needed.
Notable Events and Milestones
Taylor’s career is highlighted by his perseverance through adversity. Being undrafted and spending multiple seasons on practice squads tested his dedication to the sport. His first promotion to an NFL active roster in November 2025 stands as the defining milestone of his professional career thus far. His ability to remain patient and prepared throughout this process demonstrated his mental toughness and commitment to his craft.
Reese Taylor Career Statistics
Through the 2025 season, Taylor has accumulated limited but meaningful NFL experience. His career statistics reflect his development as a special teams contributor and defensive reserve during his time with the Broncos organization.
NFL Statistics Summary
Taylor’s professional career statistics as of the 2025 season include 2 tackles at the NFL level. While his statistical output remains modest, his value extends beyond traditional defensive metrics to his contributions on special teams units and his continued development as a cornerback in professional football.
College Career Highlights
At the collegiate level, Taylor’s most productive season came during his senior year at Purdue in 2022, when he recorded 34 tackles with one interception and four pass breakups across 13 starts. During his time at Indiana, his standout campaign came in 2020 when he led the team with seven pass breakups and recorded 29 tackles with one interception and four tackles-for-loss. His career trajectory showed consistent improvement across his four collegiate seasons, particularly after his transition to cornerback.
Reese Taylor Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Limited verified information is available regarding Reese Taylor’s family background or any athletic lineage within his family. His personal family details remain private and have not been publicly disclosed in sources meeting the required confidence threshold.
Personal Life
Taylor grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he developed his passion for football at a young age. His athletic journey from high school quarterback to college cornerback to NFL player reflects his adaptability and commitment to football. Taylor maintains a presence on social media, connecting with fans through his Instagram account. Information regarding his marital status, spouse, or children has not been publicly verified and remains private.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a breakthrough year for Taylor with the Denver Broncos organization. After spending portions of the 2023 and 2024 seasons on the practice squad, Taylor’s consistent preparation and performance in practice earned him consideration for the active roster. His experience across multiple seasons of learning the Broncos’ defensive schemes and special teams packages positioned him well for expanded opportunities.
Taylor’s promotion to the active roster on November 15, 2025, marked the culmination of his journey from undrafted free agent to NFL player. Throughout the 2025 season, he contributed on special teams while continuing to develop as a cornerback in the Broncos’ defensive secondary. His first career promotion validated his perseverance through initial setbacks and demonstrated the value of patience in pursuing an NFL career.