Biography
Career
• Played in 61 career games for NIU between 2019-24, the most for any player on the Huskie roster and among the most ever for a Huskie defender.
• Missed just one game since the beginning of the 2020 season.
• Finished his career with 106 tackles, 52 solo, with 13.5 tackles for loss.
• Tallied three quarterback sacks, forced three fumbles, knocked down five passes and recovered one fumble.
2024
• Posted 21 tackles, 13 solo, from his defensive tackle spot.
• Recorded a career-high five tackles for loss as a senior.
• Forced a fumble, tallied a sack and broke up one pass.
• Made three tackles in win over Central Michigan (11-30), two for loss; also forced a fumble that was recovered by NIU.
• Credited with a season-high six tackles, including a sack, in the Toledo game (10-19).
• Made four tackles, with two for loss, versus Buffalo (9-21).
• Had a pair of stops at NC State (9-28) and at Bowling Green (10-12).
• Part of defensive line rotation that was instrumental in NIU’s top five ranking in total defense.
• The Huskies ranked among the Top 20 teams in the nation in five defensive categories.
2023
• Played in every regular season game before missing the bowl contest.
• Accounted for 24 tackles with 12 solo stops.
• Three of his tackles went for loss.
• Contributed at least one tackle in nine of 12 games played.
• Made a season-best six tackles, with 1.5 for loss, versus Ball State (11-7).
• Had three stops, with a TFL, at Toledo (9-30).
• Credited with four solo tackles in win over Akron (10-7).
• Came back with three tackles and a half tackle for loss versus Ohio (10-14).
• Also totaled three stops, two solo, in shutout of Western Michigan (11-14).
• Recorded a pair of solo tackles at Central Michigan (10-31).
2022
• Made 20 tackles with three tackles for loss and two sacks in 12 games.
• Registered two tackles with his first career sack at Tulsa (9-10).
• Recorded his second sack of the season at Kentucky (9-24) while making a career-high seven tackles.
• Credited with three tackles at Ball State (10-1) and two versus Toledo (10-8).
• Broke up a pass and added a solo tackle in the win at Eastern Michigan (10-15).
• Forced a fumble and had a tackle for loss against Central Michigan (11-2).
• Tallied two stops versus Miami (11-16).
2021
• Saw action in all 14 games and started 10 at defensive tackle.
• Compiled 29 tackles, 15 solo, with two tackles for loss, two passes defended, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
• Posted a season-best four tackles three times, vs. Wyoming (9-11), at Michigan (9-18) and at Western Michigan (11-23).
• Tallied three tackles with a tackle for loss and a pass break-up vs. Bowling Green (10-16).
• Recorded a PBU at Central Michigan (10-23).
• Forced a fumble and had a tackle for loss versus Eastern Michigan (10-2).
• Recovered a Buffalo fumble at the one-yard line to end the Bulls’ possession in overtime (11-17); NIU won the game on its first play of the extra session.
• Credited with at least one tackle in 11 of 14 games on the year.
2020
• Started two games, Buffalo (11-4) and at Western Michigan (11-28), while playing in all six contests.
• Amassed 10 tackles, a career best, and a tackle for loss.
• Recorded a career-high five tackles at Ball State (11-18), including a half tackle for loss.
2019
• Appeared in four games during redshirt season.
• Made NIU debut against Illinois State (8-31).
• Tallied a pair of tackles and half tackle for loss at Utah (9-7).
HIGH SCHOOL
• A four-year letterwinner at East St. Louis High School where he started all four years on the defensive line.
• Led Flyers to back-to-back Southwestern Conference championships in 2017 and 2018, as well as consecutive IHSA Class 7A quarterfinals appearances.
• Finished his high school career with 285 total tackles and 15 sacks.
PERSONAL
• Born November 20 in East St. Louis, Illinois.
• Son of Shaletta Nelson and Demond Taylor, Sr.
• Graduated with his bachelor's degree in communications in May 2023.
