Ranking the Top 5 Florida Gator Running Backs of All-Time
#3 Fred Taylor (1994-1997)
Fred Taylor was a member of the 12-1 Gator team that won it all in 1996 and is the only running back on this list to win a National Championship. Taylor attended Florida right in the apex of the program’s golden years and helped lead the Gators to bowl victories in the 1997 Sugar Bowl (the National Championship) and the 1998 Citrus Bowl. He provided a great running game to complement the unstoppable passing attack of quarterback Danny Wuerffel.
“Taylor attended Florida right in the apex of the program’s golden years”
In four seasons, Taylor finished his collegiate career with 31 rushing touchdowns and 3,075 rushing yards. Besides winning a National Championship, some of Taylor’s other honors include:
- SEC Champion in 1994, 1995, and 1996
- First Team All-SEC in 1997
- Third Team All-American in 1997
- UF Hall of Fame inductee in 2010
In the 1998 NFL Draft, Taylor was able to stay in the state of Florida after the Jacksonville Jaguars drafted him ninth overall. He played 10 years for the Jags before ending his career with the New England Patriots in 2010. He made one Pro Bowl in 2007 and totaled 66 rushing touchdowns and 11,695 yards in his NFL career.
His son, Kelvin Taylor, is entering his junior year at the University of Florida and is also a running back. He wears #21 to honor his father.
Next: No. 2 Errict Rhett