At just 25 years old, Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor has already established himself as one of the NFL’s premier talents. Standing 5’10” and weighing 226 pounds, Taylor combines speed, power, and durability in a way that few players can. Since being drafted in 2020, he’s racked up 5,711 rushing yards, 48 rushing touchdowns, and an impressive 4.9 yards per carry across 65 career games. In the 2024 regular season alone, Taylor has delivered 1,129 rushing yards, 8 rushing touchdowns, and an average of 4.8 yards per carry over 12 games.
Taylor’s success isn’t limited to running the ball. He’s amassed 6,788 total yards and 53 total touchdowns during his career, which shows he can do more than just run. He’s a huge part of the Colts’ offense, and he’s only getting better. But behind all the stats, there’s a lot more to this guy’s story. Here are a few things you might not know about Jonathan Taylor.
6. Jonathan Taylor Is A Scholar With Love For Science And Philosophy
Jonathan Taylor is more than just a football star; he’s a true intellectual. Back in high school, he was a standout student in Salem’s International Baccalaureate program, excelling in academics while dominating in sports. His love for science, particularly astrophysics, was so strong that he considered attending Ivy League schools like Yale. Inspired by the renowned Neil deGrasse Tyson, Taylor even received a telescope as a graduation gift and remains deeply fascinated by the stars.
At the University of Wisconsin, Taylor went above and beyond, double-majoring in physics and astrophysics—a rare achievement for a Division I athlete. His curiosity didn’t stop there, though. He also developed a love for philosophy, and his teammates often talk about his deep questions and reflective nature, which sets him apart from others in the league.
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5. From Track Star To NFL Speed Demon
Before Taylor was making defenders miss on the football field, he was lighting up the track. In high school, he won the New Jersey 100-meter title in both his junior and senior years, with times of 10.61 and 10.63 seconds. His 2017 win was especially impressive, considering he was running against a headwind of 2.5 mph. Taylor earned the title of New Jersey’s fastest man twice, setting the stage for his blazing speed on the football field.
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At the 2020 NFL Combine, Taylor showed off his speed with a 4.39-second 40-yard dash—the fastest time of any Big Ten player and one of the quickest for all running backs that year. Combine that with his vision and quick burst, and it’s no wonder he’s one of the most explosive players in the game.
4. Training In Extreme Cold To Become Stronger
Taylor’s insane durability comes from some seriously crazy training. In 2020, he joined an Under Armour cold-weather program in Mount Rainier National Park. Over four days, Taylor and other athletes braved sub-zero temperatures, carrying heavy packs through snowy and icy terrain. They built ice caves for shelter, practiced breathing exercises, and meditated to sharpen their focus under extreme conditions.
This kind of training definitely pushed Taylor to his limits, and it can be seen every time he steps on the field. His ability to stay explosive late in games and take hits without slowing down is all thanks to that wild, cold-weather training.
3. An Overlooked Recruit Who Rewrote Wisconsin’s Record Books
Coming out of Salem High School in New Jersey, Jonathan Taylor rushed for an astounding 4,642 yards and 51 touchdowns. During his senior year, he set a South Jersey single-season rushing record with 2,815 yards. Despite these incredible stats, he was only ranked the No. 24 running back nationally and the No. 8 overall player in New Jersey. Initially committing to Rutgers, Taylor de-committed after their poor season and joined Wisconsin, a decision that changed his life.
At Wisconsin, Taylor shattered records. He became the first FBS player to rush for 6,000 yards in just three seasons, finishing with 6,174 yards and 50 touchdowns from 2017 to 2019. His freshman campaign saw him rush for 1,977 yards, setting a school record, and his sophomore season brought 2,194 yards, the most ever for a Wisconsin player in a single season. By the time he left, Taylor was a two-time Doak Walker Award winner and a three-time All-American.
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2. Jonathan Taylor’s Family Keeps Him Grounded
A big part of Taylor’s success is the support he gets from his family. His father, Jonathan James, played basketball at San Francisco State and taught Taylor the importance of hard work and dedication, even though he didn’t make it to the pros.
Furthermore, since they met at Salem High, Taylor’s high school sweetheart, Ayanna Chapman, has been by his side. Ayanna, a former field hockey player and political science major, has supported him every step of the way. The couple keeps things low-key, focusing on their shared goals and mutual support, which has helped Taylor stay grounded through his rise in the NFL.
1. A Historic Start To His NFL Career
Jonathan Taylor wasted no time making a name for himself in the NFL. The Colts picked him 41st overall in 2020, and by the middle of his rookie season, he was already the starting running back. He rushed for 1,169 yards and 11 touchdowns that year, landing a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team. In 2021, he went full beast mode, leading the NFL in rushing yards (1,811) and rushing touchdowns (18). He also put up 2,171 scrimmage yards, becoming just the third Colts player to ever top 2,000 yards in a season.
By Week 16 of 2024, Taylor’s already second on the Colts’ all-time rushing list with 5,711 yards, passing legends like Marshall Faulk and Lydell Mitchell. He’s now only behind Hall of Famer Edgerrin James, who has 9,226 rushing yards. With just 65 games and 1,111 carries to his name, Taylor is on track to break James’ record within the next few years and become one of the greatest players ever to wear a Colts jersey.
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