Trey Taylor Bio
Trey Taylor (born January 30, 2001) is an American professional football safety. He played college football for the Air Force Falcons, where he won the Jim Thorpe Award in 2023 as the nation’s top defensive back. Drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders in 2024, Taylor is working to establish himself at the professional level.
Early Life and Background
Trey Taylor was born on January 30, 2001, in Frisco, Texas, and grew up in the same North Texas community. He attended Lone Star High School in Frisco, where he lettered in both football and track and field. His performance in two sports at Lone Star helped him build the athletic foundation that would later define his reputation as a defender.
Coming out of high school, Taylor decided to commit to playing college football for the Air Force Falcons. The choice reflected his willingness to embrace a demanding program that combines academic, military, and athletic responsibilities. That decision set the stage for his emergence as one of the most respected defensive backs in college football.
Path to American Football
Taylor’s path to top-level college competition began with a developmental period at the United States Air Force Academy. In his first two seasons with the Falcons in 2019 and 2020, he did not appear in any games, using the time to adjust to the program’s intensity. The patience paid off, as he gradually earned a role within the defensive backfield.
By the 2021 season, Taylor had established himself as a regular contributor, recording 62 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a sack, five pass deflections, an interception, and a forced fumble. The following year, in 2022, he totaled 69 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, a sack, four pass deflections, and two interceptions. These steady improvements positioned him as a leader of the Air Force defense heading into his final collegiate season.
Trey Taylor Career
Early Career (2019–2022)
Taylor’s early career at Air Force was defined by patience and steady development. After two seasons without game action, he broke into the lineup in 2021 and immediately showed a knack for producing tackles and creating turnovers. His production climbed again in 2022, when he added a second-team All-Mountain West selection to his resume, reinforcing his trajectory as a rising defender.
Senior Season and National Recognition (2023)
The 2023 season was the defining year of Taylor’s college career. In week seven against Wyoming, he recorded ten tackles, including one for a loss, a performance that earned him Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week honors. He followed that with another ten-tackle outing against Colorado State in week nine, demonstrating the consistency that opposing offenses struggled to solve.
At the conclusion of the 2023 season, Taylor was named a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to the nation’s top defensive back. On December 8, 2023, he was announced as the award winner, becoming the centerpiece of Air Force’s national profile that year. He was also recognized as a first-team All-American and a first-team All-Mountain West selection. In late January 2024, Taylor received the Pat Tillman Award at the East–West Shrine Bowl, an honor recognizing character and leadership.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2024–Present)
Taylor was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders in the seventh round, 223rd overall, of the 2024 NFL Draft. Shortly after the draft, he was placed on injured reserve on August 27, 2024, to begin his rookie season. He was activated on October 12, 2024, and finished his first professional campaign with the Raiders organization.
On August 26, 2025, Taylor was waived by the Raiders as part of final roster cuts. The following day, he was re-signed to the team’s practice squad, reflecting the organization’s continued interest in his development. On September 1, 2025, he was waived from the practice squad. Despite the back-and-forth transactions, Taylor remained in the Raiders’ system, continuing his pursuit of a regular roster spot.
Notable Events and Milestones
Taylor’s signature moment came on December 8, 2023, when he was awarded the Jim Thorpe Award as college football’s top defensive back. His selection as a first-team All-American that same year placed him among the most decorated players in Air Force football history. Receiving the Pat Tillman Award at the East–West Shrine Bowl in January 2024 further highlighted his reputation for leadership and character.
Trey Taylor Career Wins
Trey Taylor’s career highlights are rooted more in individual accolades and defensive production than in championship victories. His Jim Thorpe Award in 2023 stands as the centerpiece of his resume, supported by first-team All-American and first-team All-Mountain West honors that year, along with a second-team All-Mountain West nod in 2022.
College Defensive Highlights
Across his Air Force career, Taylor accumulated consistent tackle totals, including 62 stops in 2021 and 69 in 2022, while forcing turnovers with interceptions and a forced fumble. His 2023 campaign featured standout performances against Wyoming and Colorado State, where his Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week award underscored his impact in signature games.
Trey Taylor Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public details about Trey Taylor’s immediate family are limited. He is the cousin of NFL Pro Football Hall of Famer Ed Reed by marriage, a connection that links him to one of the most accomplished safeties in league history. The relationship provides a notable football lineage within his extended family.
Personal Life
Taylor’s personal life, including information about a spouse or children, has not been publicly disclosed. His professional commitments and connection to the Air Force Academy’s service expectations remain a central part of his public profile.
2025 Season Performance
Trey Taylor’s 2025 campaign began with the Las Vegas Raiders before he was waived on August 26 as part of final roster cuts. The move reflected the depth the Raiders had assembled at defensive back and the competitive nature of his position group. The next day, Taylor was re-signed to the practice squad, keeping him within the organization.
On September 1, 2025, Taylor was waived from the practice squad, continuing a turbulent start to his second professional year. Despite the transactions, his work ethic and 2023 Jim Thorpe Award pedigree make him a candidate to resurface with another NFL opportunity. His 2025 outlook hinges on demonstrating the same ball skills and tackling reliability that defined his Air Force career.