Miami football: 25 greatest Hurricanes of all time
By Joe Romano
7. Sean Taylor
Safety, 2001-2003
From time-to-time there comes a player in college football who is so dominant that it is apparent he is a once in a generation type player. The first time I watched Sean Taylor play that is what ran through my head. Fair warning, this is my favorite football player of all time so prepare for a soliloquy of how dominant Taylor was.
Stepping on campus during the famed 2001 campaign Taylor carved out a role as a sub-package player for a talented secondary that also featured another great safety in Ed Reed, along with All-Big East corner Phillip Buchanon, and future All-Pro Antrel Rolle.
It was not until Reed’s graduation that Taylors mark was truly felt on the team. He was a ball-hawk on the back-end even during that first season but his sophomore campaign showed how special he was. His 85 tackles were third on the team to go along with 4 interceptions, 15 passes defended and a return touchdown. Unfortunately, a blunder that allowed a big score for Ohio State in the National Championship is how that season will be remembered for Taylor. That was a painful game and made worse by arguably the team’s best defender having a mental error to aid in the loss.
2003 was Taylor’s last on campus and his best. His 10 interceptions were the best in the nation and led to Taylor being a unanimous All-American, All-Big East and a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award. three of those interceptions would be returned for touchdowns, a school record. His 77 tackles would lead the Hurricanes and he was a big reason the team was able to lock down so many opposing offenses that featured devastating weapons. In 2004 Taylor was selected fifth overall by the Washington Redskins. A record six Miami Hurricanes would go in the first round with Taylor being the first.
His career would only last three and a half seasons in the NFL. Taylor was tragically shot and killed in his home during the 2007 season defending his home from a robbery. He had previously been involved in troubling behavior off the field but was being praised for turning his life around. It made his tragic death even more painful. At the time of his death, he was playing like the best defensive back in football, leading the league in interceptions despite not appearing in two games.
Washington honored Taylor by putting a 21 decal on the back of all helmets for the season. He was named to the team’s Ring of Honor. The NFL voted Taylor to the Pro Bowl in the 2007 season and the team lined up without a safety for the first play of the game. His Miami Hurricanes teammates constantly discussed the man and player he was. Some still argue Taylor had the potential to be the greatest safety the NFL has ever seen. His talent was unquestioned and his untimely death was tragedy still felt years later.