For the second straight year, it seemed like former Florida Gators and Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor was on the cusp of securing his rightful place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Once again, however, he was snubbed, failing to earn enshrinement despite an impressive career that undoubtedly warrants football’s highest individual honor.
Taylor, a first-round pick in the 1998 NFL Draft, has now been a semifinalist six times and a finalist twice. Yet, the former Jaguars star continues to be overlooked, even as lesser-accomplished players earn their gold jackets.
During his time with the Jaguars (1998-2008), Taylor played in 153 games, starting 137, and amassed 11,695 rushing yards and 66 touchdowns on 2,534 carries. His 4.6 yards per carry average places him in elite company alongside Barry Sanders and Adrian Peterson.
He spent his final two seasons with the New England Patriots, where he added another 424 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Taylor ranks 17th on the all-time rushing list, with 14 of the 16 players ahead of him already in the Hall. The only exceptions—Frank Gore and Adrian Peterson—aren’t yet eligible.
While Taylor has the statistics to make the Hall of Fame, part of his perception problem is playing in Jacksonville versus a flashier market.
Additionally, he played during an era that featured elite running backs like LaDainian Tomlinson, Shaun Alexander, and Edgerrin James, who often overshadowed him. With just one Pro Bowl selection to his name, critics argue that he lacked the accolades typically associated with Hall of Famers.
During his time with the Florida Gators, Taylor ran for 3,075 yards, the 4th most in Florida history, and 31 touchdowns. After 873 yards his freshman year, injuries impacted Taylor his sophomore and junior years, but he did run for 1,292 yards his senior year, also the 4th most for a single season.
Taylor was a member of the 1996 national title team and was inducted into the Florida Gators Hall of Fame in 2010.