Sean Taylor

CAREER: A burgeoning star for Miami at free safety… had an excellent season in his first year as the starter… has a rare combination of size, speed, strength and agility… brutally hard hitter who also displays excellent skills as a coverage man and in run support… a standout in the tradition of former UM safeties Edward Reed and Bennie Blades… one of two Hurricanes (along with tight end Kellen Winslow) named to the prestigious Playboy magazine Preseason All-America Team for 2003.

2002 (SOPHOMORE): A first-team All-BIG EAST selection by the league’s head coaches in his first season as a starter… third on the team in tackles with 85 (53 solos), broke up 15 passes, intercepted four passes, forced one fumble, blocked a kick and returned a punt for a touchdown… led all defensive backs in tackles, interceptions and passes broken up… had a career-high 11 tackles (two solos) and intercepted two passes in the Fiesta Bowl against Ohio State… made 10 tackles against Virginia Tech, including seven solo stops, broke up a pass, forced a fumble and had a tackle for a loss… made a career-high 11 tackles (eight solos) at Syracuse… caught a pass on a fake punt and ran 47 yards for a touchdown against the Orangemen… had five tackles (three solos) and broke up a pass against Pittsburgh… returned a punt 78 yards for a touchdown against the Panthers… named BIG EAST Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance against Pittsburgh… had one tackle against Tennessee… had ten tackles, including one tackle for a loss of two yards, while intercepting a pass and returning it 45 yards and also knocking down another pass against West Virginia… made eight tackles, including four solos, and broke up two passes in the win over Florida State… recorded three solo tackles, broke up a pass, and blocked a punt, and also had a punt return for 23 yards in the win over Connecticut… made 3 tackles (one solo), and broke up two passes against Boston College… had two solo tackles against Temple… registered nine tackles (four solos) with a tackle for a loss of six yards and a pass deflection against Florida… made three tackles (two solos) and broke up a pass in the season opener against Florida A&M, his first starting assignment… took over the starting role at free safety following the departure of two-time consensus All-American Edward Reed.

2001 (FRESHMAN): One of just four true freshmen to play for Miami in the 2001 national championship season… carved a niche for himself in Miami’s secondary in nickel and dime coverage packages… played in 10 games, making an impact on special teams… had 26 tackles, 20 of which were unassisted… made one solo tackle in his Miami debut at Penn State… had a season-high six tackles (four solos) in a 38-0 win over Temple… had four tackles against both Troy State and Florida State… had three stops against Pittsburgh, West Virginia and Syracuse… had two tackles against Washington.

HIGH SCHOOL: Gulliver Prep… the No. 7 prospect in Dade County by the Miami Herald… rated the nation’s No. 18 skill athlete by SuperPrep… a SuperPrep All-American… the No. 23 overall prospect in Florida, regardless of position, by SuperPrep… an Orlando Sentinel Super Southern Team selection… listed as the No. 1 athlete on the Florida Times-Union Super 75 list… the No. 14 player in Florida by the Gainesville Sun… accounted for three touchdowns (two receiving, one rushing) in the state title game victory over Marianna… a teammate of Gulliver Prep quarterback and fellow UM signee Buck Ortega… helped lead Gulliver to the Florida Class 2A State Championship in 2000… was a star on both sides of the ball in 2000, Taylor rushed for 1,300 yards and a state-record 44 touchdowns… played running back, defensive back and linebacker at Gulliver… rushed for more than 200 yards twice during Gulliver’s state playoff run… racked up more than 100 tackles during the 2000 season… displayed excellent hands as a receiver… coached by Steve Howie at Gulliver Academy.

PERSONAL: Born 4/1/83… full name is Sean Michael Taylor… undecided on a major… chose Miami over Clemson… son of Pedro Taylor and Donna Junor.

TAYLOR’S CAREER STATISTICS

TAYLOR’S 2002 GAME-BY-GAME STATISTICS

TAYLOR’S 2001 GAME-BY-GAME STATISTICS