University of Florida right tackle Jawaan Taylor will forego his senior season and enter the 2019 NFL Draft.
Taylor made the announcement on twitter just hours after Florida’s 51-14 win over Michigan in the Peach Bowl.
“First and foremost let me give thanks to God for all of my blessings. Looking back, I have been very fortunate to have so many wonderful people guide me to where I am today, and it starts with my amazing family who, no matter what, are there for me and have always been super supportive towards me from day one!”
He continued.
“I want to thank Gator Nation for being the most loyal and supportive fans in the country. My journey as a Florida Gator has prepared me to take that next step and I therefore announce that I will forego my senior season and declare for the 2019 NFL Draft.”
Taylor’s journey is an incredible one. As a junior in high school he desperately wanted to be a Florida Gator but Jim McElwain and Mike Summers told him he needed to lose weight before they’d offer him. Taylor weighed 390-plus pounds and they wanted him to weigh close to 330 before they would give him a scholarship. Taylor dedicated himself and lost the weight. He earned a scholarship and played in all 13 games as a freshman. He played in and started in all 11 games as a sophomore and played and started every game this season.
Taylor is projected to be a first round draft pick.
Thank You to ALL GATOR NATION!🔸🔹It’s been an honor to play for the best University in the Country🇺🇸🙏🏽🐊✌🏽 pic.twitter.com/V8aSiPoMQU
— Jawaan. T 6️⃣5️⃣ (@jawaan_taylor74) December 30, 2018