Jason Taylor II Bio
Jason Taylor II is an American professional football safety known for his work as a defensive back at both the collegiate and professional levels. Born on December 30, 1999, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, he developed into a reliable playmaker during his college years at Oklahoma State University before reaching the National Football League (NFL). Across his professional journey, he has been associated with the Los Angeles Rams, Arizona Cardinals, and Kansas City Chiefs, and he later joined the Orlando Storm of the United Football League (UFL). Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighing approximately 203 pounds, Taylor is recognized for his instincts in coverage and his ability to contribute on special teams.
Early Life and Background
Jason Taylor II was raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where he attended Carl Albert High School in nearby Midwest City. As a senior, he put together one of the most productive seasons of any defensive back in the state, earning recognition as The Oklahoman’s Defensive Player of the Year after intercepting nine passes. That performance helped establish him as one of the top high school defensive prospects in Oklahoma.
Coming out of high school, Taylor was recruited by several college football programs. He ultimately committed to Oklahoma State University, choosing the Cowboys over scholarship offers from Tulsa and SMU. The decision set the foundation for his development into a top-tier Big 12 Conference defender and gave him a clear path toward the professional ranks.
Path to American Football
Taylor’s progression through the sport began during his formative years in Oklahoma, where football is deeply embedded in the local culture. His senior-season accolades drew the attention of multiple college programs, and his commitment to Oklahoma State marked the first significant step in his athletic career. The Big 12 Conference provided a highly competitive stage on which to refine his technique as a safety.
At Oklahoma State, Taylor worked his way gradually into a featured role. After a redshirt season, he appeared mainly on special teams before an injury to starting safety Tre Sterling created an opening in the lineup. Taylor stepped into the starting role and produced steadily, eventually earning conference recognition and the attention of NFL scouts by the end of his college career.
Jason Taylor II Career
Early Career (2018–2022)
Taylor enrolled at Oklahoma State in 2018 and saw limited action during his true freshman season, appearing in three games before redshirting. The following year, he primarily contributed on special teams while continuing to develop his skills at the safety position. Those early seasons were formative, allowing him to learn the Cowboys’ defensive system and adjust to the physical demands of major college football.
As a redshirt junior, Taylor became a starter after an injury to a teammate, and he responded with 48 tackles, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble, four passes defended, and two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. That performance earned him honorable mention All-Big 12 Conference honors, signaling his emergence as a playmaker. As a redshirt senior, he recorded 99 tackles and six interceptions, leading to first-team All-Big 12 recognition and second-team All-American honors from the Walter Camp Football Foundation. After the season, Taylor declared for the 2023 NFL draft.
NFL Breakthrough (2023–2024)
Jason Taylor II entered the professional ranks when he was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the seventh round, 234th overall, of the 2023 NFL draft. His initial season with the Rams was disrupted by a stint on injured reserve beginning September 15, 2023, though he was activated on November 25 and finished the year. He recorded five total tackles during his rookie NFL campaign.
In 2024, Taylor was waived by the Rams on August 27 before being re-signed to the team’s practice squad, and he was released again on September 10. He signed with the Arizona Cardinals practice squad on September 17, 2024, and remained there until being released on October 29 of the same year. On January 9, 2025, he signed a reserve and future contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, though he was later waived by the Chiefs on May 1.
Orlando Storm Era (2026–Present)
On January 14, 2026, Taylor was selected by the Orlando Storm in the 2026 UFL Draft, beginning a new chapter in his professional career. The Orlando Storm compete in the United Football League, a spring football circuit that brings together top professional talent. Taylor was released on March 19 before being re-signed on April 28, allowing him to continue his development as a defensive back.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a safety, Jason Taylor II is recognized for his instincts in coverage, his willingness to support against the run, and his nose for the football, qualities highlighted by his nine high school interceptions and six senior-season picks at Oklahoma State. He has demonstrated the ability to contribute on special teams, an attribute that has helped him remain in professional football through practice-squad opportunities and reserve contracts.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Taylor’s career are his 2022 senior season at Oklahoma State, where he recorded 99 tackles and six interceptions, and his selection in the 2023 NFL draft by the Los Angeles Rams. His transition from the NFL to the UFL, where he was chosen by the Orlando Storm in 2026, marks another important chapter in his ongoing professional journey.
Jason Taylor II Career Wins
Jason Taylor II’s professional resume is highlighted by his consistent presence on practice squads and active rosters across multiple organizations. While his career statistics are still developing, his progression from a seventh-round draft pick to a continued role in professional football reflects his perseverance. His contributions are most visible in his special-teams work and in the interceptions he recorded at the collegiate level.
NFL Highlights
In his NFL career, Taylor has appeared in limited regular-season action, recording five total tackles during his time with the Los Angeles Rams. He has signed reserve and future contracts and spent time on practice squads with the Arizona Cardinals and Kansas City Chiefs, experiences that have helped him grow within league structures.
Other Wins & Performances
At the collegiate level, Taylor earned first-team All-Big 12 recognition in 2022 and second-team All-American honors from the Walter Camp Football Foundation. His 99-tackle, six-interception senior season stands as his most decorated campaign, while his state Defensive Player of the Year award as a high school senior underscored his earlier promise as a defensive back.
Jason Taylor II Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jason Taylor II was raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, though details about his immediate family are not widely documented in public sources. His commitment to Oklahoma State over other regional programs reflected the strong football culture of his home state and the influence of his upbringing on his athletic development.
Personal Life
Taylor keeps his personal life largely private, with limited public information regarding his relationships or family beyond his Oklahoma roots. His professional social media presence includes accounts on X and Instagram under the handle jctii_, where he has shared updates about his career and personal interests.
2025 Season Performance
Jason Taylor II began 2025 in transition after signing a reserve and future contract with the Kansas City Chiefs on January 9, 2025. The agreement gave him an opportunity to compete for a roster spot during the offseason program. However, on May 1, Taylor was waived by the Chiefs, ending that chapter of his professional journey.
Following his release, Taylor’s football career continued to evolve outside the NFL structure. He was selected by the Orlando Storm in the 2026 UFL Draft on January 14, 2026, before being released on March 19 and subsequently re-signed on April 28. His path through multiple teams reflects both the challenges and the persistence that have defined his time in professional football.
