#53 Vince Taylor

2014
Taylor enjoyed his finest season as a senior defender in team’s 3-4 defensive scheme… Participated in 11 games, earning starting assignment at nose tackle in each encounter… Gave interior of defense a physical presence… Topped all Commodore interior linemen with 43 total tackles and shared team high with two fumble recoveries… Also contributed 20 solo tackles, 1.5 quarterback sacks and three tackles for loss… Posted at least two tackles in every appearance… Set single-game high with six tackles against Temple and Mississippi State… Registered sacks against Ole Miss and Tennessee, and notched fumble recoveries with Ole Miss and Tennessee… Missed the UMass game.

2013
Taylor saw action in all 13 games for the Commodores, enjoying 11 starting assignments at defensive tackle… Part of four-player DT rotation that included Jared Morse, Barron Dixon and Adam Butler… Finished the regular season by setting career highs with 12 solo tackles, 18 total stops and a QB hurry… Post four tackles in opener vs. Ole Miss… Had at least two tackles in seven games. Started on the defensive line vs. Austin Peay helping hold the Govs to only 85 yards rushing… In his first career start at DT he made a career-best four tackles against Ole Miss.

2012
Taylor has enjoyed an important role this season on the Commodore interior front… He has played in all 13 games, part of a five-player rotation at tackle… He contributed 14 total stops for the Vanderbilt defense… Among his stops are 1.5 tackles that resulted in losses for the Georgia offense… Also had three total tackles at Georgia.

2011
A first-year contributor on the defensive interior, Taylor saw action in the final 12 games as a defensive tackle… Finished the season with six solo tackles, 12 total stops and 1.5 tackles for loss… Produced important play in win over Connecticut, forcing a turnover by recovering a Connecticut fumble.. Had two solo tackles in narrow loss to Arkansas.

2010
Taylor did not play during his first year on campus… Coaches made decision to keep talented defensive tackle out for season after he suffered hand injury in preseason camp that lingered into early games of schedule.

High School
Senior captain… Two-year starter at DT… As senior, helped Warriors to 6A state finals, contributing 97 solo tackles, 117 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss, seven QB sacks and a pair of fumble recoveries, including one returned 55 yards for a TD… Named first team All-State DT for all classifications by Jackson Clarion-Ledger… Had impressive effort as DT in the Alabama-Mississippi Prep All-Star Game held in December… Helped 2008 team to 12-2 mark and state semifinal appearance, contributing eight sacks and 14 tackles for loss… Three-year letterwinner as shot put/discus thrower in track & field.

Personal
Vincent Eugene Taylor… “VT”… Son of Lisa Taylor… Born May 14, 1992 in Michigan… Mom is self-employed… Resides in Sumrall community west of Hattiesburg… Four prep teammates, including WR Steve McNair Jr., also inked football letters-on-intent… Fan of the Chicago Bears… Majoring in Special Education at the Peabody College.

Career Highs
Total Tackles: 6, (2x) Last at Mississippi State, 11/22/2014
Solo Tackles: 3 (2x) Last vs. Tennessee, 11/29/2014
Tackles for Loss: 1.0, vs. Tennessee, 11/29/2014
Sacks: 0.5, vs. Tennessee, 11/29/2014