Air Force safety Trey Taylor had a breakout season in 2023. Taylor was named the Jim Thorpe Award winner as the nation’s top-performing defensive back. The Frisco, Texas native recorded a team-high 74 tackles. Taylor also showcased a terrific nose for the football by hauling in three interceptions and seven pass breakups en route to First-Team All-Mountain West honors.
The 6-foot, 213-pound Taylor recently spoke exclusively with The Draft Network about his week-long experience at the East-West Shrine Bowl, versatility in the defensive backfield, getting advice from Hall of Fame safety Ed Reed, which teams are showing interest in his services, and more.
JM: You were a standout performer at this year’s East-West Shrine Bowl. What do you think you proved to general managers and scouts in attendance?
Trey Taylor: That’s a great question. First and foremost, there were some question marks about my ability to play against the top competition in the country. That’s always going to be the case when you’re coming from Air Force.
Playing where we play, people already have their preconceived notions about the players and the overall talent level of the team. The Shrine Bowl gave me an opportunity to address those questions. I did a great job competing against big-school prospects out there. It was really good for me. I really excelled at that level. I’m thrilled.
My ability to play man coverage was another question mark that was hanging over my head. I showed the scouts that I was very strong with my man coverage. I played great against tight ends and wide receivers in one-versus-one drills.
The scouts quickly realized that I’ve taken big steps forward in man coverage. Hopefully, the narrative is more positive moving forward.
JM: You addressed those questions. You won the weigh-in process as well. You’re rocked up, man. You look the part. You measured in at 6 feet tall and 213 pounds. How do you use size and strength to your advantage on a play-by-play basis?
Trey Taylor: If I stretched that morning, I probably would have been 6-foot-1 (laughs).
I feel like I’m a mismatch weapon against those smaller slot receivers, I can cover them out in space. I also feel like my size makes me a great matchup versus those bigger tight ends.
The Shrine did a great job putting me in a position to cover those tight ends. I showed I can defeat those blocks in the run game as well. I think I can provide a lot of balance with size and quickness at my size.
JM: You probably met with every team in attendance at Shrine. Did any of those team meetings particularly stand out? Did you get a great vibe from any teams?
Trey Taylor: I spoke with 31 teams. There’s only one team that didn’t speak with me. I had a bunch of great conversations. Carolina, Washington, Chicago, Green Bay, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, and Las Vegas really stood out to me.
Those were the top six or seven teams that I left the meetings feeling great about. I left with a clear mind. I saw a strong possibility to be an early mid-round pick by one of those teams.
JM: They watched the tape. You’ve led the team in tackles two years in a row. This past season, you had a career-high 74 tackles. What is it about your game that leads to you always being around the ball?
Trey Taylor: It was all about getting those reps in. Sophomore year, when I first got on the field, I feel like I was running around like a chicken with its head cut off (laughs). I was just running to the ball. I wasn’t worried about my assignments. I was just trying to make plays.
Those reps slowed the game down for me. You start to see things over and over again. It’s repetition and getting more comfortable. You build tendencies and instincts for the game. That leads to you being around the ball a little bit more.
I made plays around the ball whenever I was there. Those reps were so key. Anybody who balls out in that first season, I have complete respect for them (laughs). It took me some time to build tendencies. I had to feel things out before the game slowed down for me.
JM: That makes total sense to me. Let’s talk about your ball skills. You also had three interceptions and seven pass breakups this year.
Trey Taylor: My ball skills have always been pretty good. I dropped two balls this season that I should have had. Other than that, I think I do a great job catching the ball. I’m not one of those defensive backs that plays DB because I can’t catch (laughs).
I’ve been groomed as a DB that can play the ball better in the air than some receivers. That’s why the coaching staff had me roam the back third of the field. They knew that I could play the ball in the air.
My ball skills have definitely gotten better over the years. Catching the NFL ball, it’s a lot bigger, so I’m getting those reps in now. The pre-draft training process is going great into my Pro Day.
JM: Ed Reed is actually your cousin. It must be pretty nice to have a Hall of Fame family member at your position. What’s the best piece of advice the legendary Ed Reed has ever given you?
Trey Taylor: He taught me to carry myself with confidence everywhere I go. If I’m going to be called the best defensive back in America after winning the Jim Thorpe Award, I need to act like it on a daily basis no matter the talent I’m around. That confidence propels you to play at the level you’re supposed to be playing at.
There are always question marks and self-doubt that creep up from time to time in anybody’s game. Hearing that from Ed Reed really helped clear my head. I carry that confidence with me on the field and everywhere I go. It’s really changed my overall mindset and approach.
I walked into the Shrine Bowl with confidence. I walk into EXOS every day knowing I belong. Pro Day is next on the calendar for me to attack. That’s the best advice Ed Reed gave me.
JM: That’s outstanding stuff. I love that answer. I’ve appreciated your time today. Why should a team use one of their draft picks in the 2024 NFL Draft on Trey Taylor?
Trey Taylor: For me, I feel like whatever team is going to get me is going to get a winner. I’m used to winning. I’ve been bred to win. I help teams win. I work hard to eliminate the weaknesses of our defense. I turn negatives into positives.
I make the team better wherever I go. It’s about my leadership style and how I carry myself in the locker room. They’re going to get somebody whose goal is to win the Super Bowl next season. I’m not going to slouch. I’m going to do everything I can to make that happen for the team.
You won’t find a prospect with a better mindset. I’m the ultimate leader coming into our locker room.