Taybor Pepper Bio
Taybor Pepper (born May 28, 1994) is an American professional football long snapper. He played college football for the Michigan State Spartans and has spent the majority of his National Football League career with the San Francisco 49ers after stints with several other franchises. Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and listed at 245 pounds, Pepper has carved out a reputation as a reliable specialist in one of football’s most specialized positions.
After going undrafted in the 2016 NFL draft, Pepper worked his way onto an NFL roster in 2017 and has since built a career spanning close to a decade. His journeyman path through multiple franchises has been marked by consistent performance, allowing him to remain a steady presence on special teams units across the league.
Early Life and Background
Taybor Pepper was born on May 28, 1994, in Urbana, Illinois. He grew up in the region and later attended Saline High School in Michigan, where he developed into a college-caliber long snapper. His early athletic foundation in the Midwest helped shape the work ethic and technique that would later define his professional career.
Pepper’s introduction to the long snapping role came during his developmental years, and his tall frame combined with his hand speed made the position a natural fit. By the time he finished high school, he had attracted the attention of several college programs looking for a reliable specialist.
Path to American Football
Pepper attended Michigan State University, where he served as the starting long snapper for the Michigan State Spartans. Over four seasons, he appeared in a total of 54 career games for the program, providing dependable play on field goals, extra points, and punts. His consistency at the college level allowed the Spartans’ kicking game to operate smoothly throughout his tenure.
In 2015, college football analyst Phil Steele named Pepper to the preseason second All-America team, a recognition that highlighted his status among the top long snappers in the country. That honor helped raise his profile heading into his senior season and the subsequent NFL draft process.
Taybor Pepper Career
Early Career (2017)
After going undrafted in the 2016 NFL draft, Pepper was not signed by a team during the 2016 season. He signed a reserve/futures contract with the Green Bay Packers on January 27, 2017, marking his first entry into an NFL organization. Later that summer, on August 28, he signed with the Baltimore Ravens but was waived just four days later.
Pepper returned to the Packers on September 25, 2017, joining the active roster to replace an injured Brett Goode. His second stint in Green Bay showed early promise, but on November 3, he was placed on injured reserve after suffering a broken foot in practice, ending his rookie season.
New York Giants (2019)
On January 2, 2019, Pepper signed a reserve/future contract with the New York Giants, hoping to earn a roster spot heading into training camp. He participated in the offseason program and competed for the long snapper position during the preseason.
Despite his efforts, Pepper was waived by the Giants on August 31, 2019, ending his brief tenure with the team.
Miami Dolphins (2019–2020)
On September 2, 2019, Pepper signed with the Miami Dolphins, joining the team at the start of the regular season. He provided depth and competition at the long snapper position during the early portion of his time in Miami.
Pepper was waived by the Dolphins on April 26, 2020, as the team made adjustments to its roster ahead of the new league year.
San Francisco 49ers Era (2020–2024)
On September 30, 2020, Pepper signed with the San Francisco 49ers, beginning the most stable and productive stretch of his NFL career. He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on December 28, 2020, and was activated on February 2, 2021. Shortly after, on February 4, 2021, Pepper signed a two-year contract extension with the 49ers, signaling the organization’s confidence in his long-term role.
On February 25, 2023, Pepper signed a three-year contract extension with the 49ers, further cementing his status as the team’s primary long snapper. Through the 2024 season, he had appeared in 100 career NFL games, recording two total tackles while maintaining his specialist duties. However, on March 13, 2025, Pepper was released by the 49ers after the team signed fellow long snapper Jon Weeks.
Miami Dolphins Second Stint (2026)
After spending the 2025 season unsigned, Pepper returned to the Miami Dolphins, signing with the team on March 19, 2026. The reunion provided him with another opportunity to contribute on special teams.
Pepper was released by the Dolphins on May 4, 2026, concluding that brief return to the franchise.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a long snapper, Pepper’s value lies in his precision, timing, and consistency on every snap for field goals, extra points, and punts. His 6-foot-4 frame allows him to deliver clean, accurate snaps over long distances, while his experience across multiple organizations has made him adaptable to varying coaching styles and special teams schemes.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most significant milestones in Pepper’s career came in 2015, when he was named to Phil Steele’s preseason second All-America team during his time at Michigan State. Another notable moment arrived in 2023, when he signed a three-year contract extension with the San Francisco 49ers, reflecting the trust the organization placed in his ability to anchor its special teams unit.
Taybor Pepper Family
Personal Life
Taybor Pepper was born and raised in Urbana, Illinois, and later moved to Michigan, where he attended Saline High School. He played college football at Michigan State University from 2012 to 2015, serving as the program’s long snapper for all four seasons.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season marked a transitional period for Taybor Pepper. After being released by the San Francisco 49ers on March 13, 2025, following the team’s signing of long snapper Jon Weeks, Pepper entered the open market looking for a new opportunity. He remained unsigned throughout the 2025 regular season, stepping away from game action for the first extended period since his 2017 rookie year.
During this time, Pepper focused on training and maintaining his readiness, drawing on more than 100 career NFL games of experience. His absence from the field came after a long run as the 49ers’ primary long snapper, a role that had defined his professional identity for several seasons.
Looking ahead, Pepper’s future in the league remains tied to opportunities as teams seek experienced specialists. His consistent track record and durability across multiple franchises position him as a reliable option whenever a long snapper vacancy arises, and his career trajectory suggests continued pursuit of opportunities to extend his time in professional football.