Reese Taylor Bio
Reese Taylor (born August 27, 1999) is an American professional football cornerback and special teamer for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and listed at 188 pounds, he plays in the secondary and contributes on special teams units. He played college football for the Indiana Hoosiers and Purdue Boilermakers before entering the professional ranks. Taylor signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2023 and currently wears jersey number 35 for the Broncos.
Early Life and Background
Reese Taylor was born on August 27, 1999, in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he grew up and developed his early love for football. He attended Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis, a program with a strong football tradition. As a young athlete in the city, he was exposed to the sport at a competitive level through local youth and high school competition.
At Ben Davis, Taylor lined up at quarterback, a position that showcased his arm talent and football intelligence. He was selected as an All-State quarterback twice during his high school career. As a senior, he led the Ben Davis Giants to a state championship, a defining moment for his prep career.
That senior campaign earned him the 2017 Indiana Mr. Football Award, recognizing him as the top high school player in the state. The award reflected his production as a passer and his leadership on the field. His performance at Ben Davis drew the attention of multiple college programs and set the stage for his transition to the college level.
Path to American Football
Coming out of Ben Davis High School, Taylor was a highly regarded quarterback recruit in the state of Indiana. His senior accolades, including the Indiana Mr. Football Award, made him a priority target for in-state programs. The transition from high school quarterback to college defensive back would not happen immediately, but his athleticism and ball skills made the eventual position switch possible.
Taylor signed with the Indiana Hoosiers in 2018 as a member of their recruiting class. His first season with the program allowed him to adjust to the speed and physicality of the Big Ten while contributing in a reserve role. The early years at Indiana gave him a foundation in college-level competition and prepared him for a larger role on defense.
Prior to the 2019 season, Taylor made the move to cornerback, a position change that would define his career. The shift allowed him to use his coverage instincts and ball skills in a different phase of the game. The move to defense marked the beginning of his development as a professional prospect at the cornerback position.
Reese Taylor Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
Taylor signed with the Indiana Hoosiers in 2018, where he played in all 12 games as a reserve, totaling 7 tackles, 174 receiving yards, and 83 rushing yards. His versatility as a young player was on display in his first college season. The following offseason, he transitioned to cornerback ahead of the 2019 campaign.
In 2019, Taylor recorded 13 tackles, one interception, one tackle-for-loss, and two pass breakups across 11 games and one start. By 2020, he led Indiana in pass breakups with seven, adding 29 tackles, one interception, four tackles-for-loss, and one sack, while also returning 73 punt yards. In 2021, he posted 25 tackles, three tackles-for-loss, one sack, two pass breakups, and 32 punt return yards across nine games and five starts.
Indiana Breakthrough (2019–2021)
Taylor’s move to cornerback ahead of the 2019 season marked the start of his identity as a defensive back. Across his first full year at the new position, he delivered a balanced stat line with 13 tackles, an interception, and two pass breakups. The work he put in during that transition year paid off in his coverage assignments and run support.
The 2020 season was his most productive at Indiana, leading the team with seven pass breakups while also recording 29 tackles, an interception, four tackles-for-loss, and a sack. He also began returning punts, accruing 73 punt return yards, which added a special teams dimension to his game. In 2021, he continued to produce, recording 25 tackles, three tackles-for-loss, a sack, two pass breakups, and 32 punt return yards across nine games and five starts.
Purdue Era (2022)
In 2022, Taylor transferred to Purdue as a fifth-year senior, joining the Boilermakers for his final college season. The move gave him a fresh start and a chance to showcase his experience in a new conference environment. He quickly earned a starting role and became a regular presence in the Purdue secondary.
Taylor started all 13 games of the 2022 season, recording a career-high 34 tackles along with one interception and four pass breakups. His production as a starting cornerback confirmed his development and helped establish him as a legitimate professional prospect. Following the season, he declared for the 2023 NFL draft.
Kansas City Chiefs Era (2023)
After going unselected in the 2023 NFL draft, Taylor was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent. He played 65 snaps across all three of the Chiefs’ preseason games, recording six tackles and a quarterback hit. The preseason showing gave him an opportunity to compete for a roster spot in Kansas City.
Taylor was waived during the final roster cuts but was signed to the Chiefs’ practice squad the following day. The opportunity did not last long, as he was released by the Chiefs the very next day. His brief stint in Kansas City ended without a regular-season appearance.
Denver Broncos Era (2023–Present)
On November 8, 2023, Taylor was signed to the Denver Broncos’ practice squad, beginning a new chapter in his professional career. He signed a reserve and futures contract on January 8, 2024, securing his place with the organization into the next league year. The futures deal reflected Denver’s interest in his development as a depth cornerback and special teamer.
On August 27, 2024, Taylor was waived by the Broncos during roster cuts. The next day, he was re-signed to the practice squad to continue his role within the organization. He signed another reserve and futures contract on January 13, 2025, keeping him in Denver for the following season.
On August 26, 2025, Taylor was waived by the Broncos during roster reductions. The next day, he was re-signed to the practice squad, preserving his path back to the active roster. On November 15, 2025, Taylor was promoted to the active roster for the first time in his career, marking a significant milestone in his professional journey.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Taylor’s career was earning the 2017 Indiana Mr. Football Award following his senior season at Ben Davis. At the college level, his career-high 34 tackles during his lone season at Purdue stand out as a personal best. Professionally, his promotion to the Denver Broncos’ active roster on November 15, 2025, marked the first time he appeared on a 53-man roster in the NFL.
Reese Taylor Family
Personal Life
Reese Taylor was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he attended Ben Davis High School. Public details about his family background and personal life outside of football are limited.
2025 Season Performance
Taylor’s 2025 season has been defined by a series of roster moves with the Denver Broncos. He signed a reserve and futures contract in January to remain in Denver, but was waived during the August roster cuts before being quickly re-signed to the practice squad. His work on the practice squad kept him in position to contribute when called upon.
On November 15, 2025, Taylor was promoted to the active roster for the first time in his career, a significant step in his development as a professional. The promotion reflects the work he put in on the practice field and the trust the Broncos organization placed in his coverage and special teams ability. His role with the team going forward centers on contributing as a depth cornerback and special teamer.
Through the early portion of his active roster time in 2025, Taylor has recorded 2 tackles, according to his career NFL statistics. The Broncos have used him primarily in a reserve capacity as he continues to adjust to the speed of regular-season NFL action.