Topic: Fred Taylor

Frederick Antwon Taylor (born January 27, 1976) is an American football running back for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars ninth overall in the 1998 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida.

Taylor was born in Pahokee, Florida. He attended Glades Central High School in Belle Glade, Florida, where he initially played football as a linebacker, but switched to running back as a junior. As a senior, he ran for 1,700 yards and 22 touchdowns, including a 301-yard, 5-touchdown outing. He received Florida "Super Senior" and all-state honors, and was also Florida's "Mr. Football" in 1993. In 2007, 13 years after he graduated from high school, the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) recognized Taylor as one of the "100 Greatest Players of the First 100 Years" of Florida high school football.

After graduating from high school, Taylor attended the University of Florida beginning in 1994. He started two games as a true freshman, picking up 873 yards and eight touchdowns. As a sophomore in 1995, he played in six games, gaining 281 yards and scoring five touchdowns. He returned in 1996 to start two of the seven games he played, running for 629 yards and five touchdowns, and helping the 12–1 Gators win the national championship. As a senior in 1997, Taylor was the team's leading rusher with 1,292 yards on 214 carries and scoring 13 touchdowns, while earning first-team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) selection and Walter Camp first-team All-American honors. He finished his college career ranked fourth in school history with 3,075 yards and 31 touchdowns.