The Right Decision
When Jonathan Taylor committed to the University of Wisconsin on November 1st, 2016, Badger fans around the country were excited to see the next great Wisconsin running back. Not only did Wisconsin get a top-20 running back recruit, but he committed after breaking his verbal commitment to home-state Rutgers University. After visiting Madison October 15th, Taylor removed all Rutgers from his socials, and later officially decommitted on October 29th. Days later he was a Badger.
As a freshman, Taylor went beyond expectations early, rushing for 223 yards and 3 touchdowns in his second ever game in a 31-14 win against Florida Atlantic. Taylor would go on to run for 175+ rushing yards three times in Big Ten play, finishing the season with 1977 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. His sophomore season was as good as a sophomore jump that you could have asked for, leading the country in rushing yards, ending the season with 2194 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Photo Cred: Bleacher Report
Entering Taylor’s junior season and eyeing potentially declaring for the NFL draft, Taylor knew he had to have his best season yet. He worked the offseason working on his receiving skills, to become a dual-threat back, and it all paid off. Taylor led the Badgers to a ten win season and a Rose Bowl appearance. He ended the season with 2003 rushing yards and a career high 21 touchdowns, but also added 252 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns. He ended the season 5th in Heisman votes, and was a unanimous All-American. A couple days after the Rose Bowl, Taylor declared for the NFL draft by no surprise to fans.
The Perfect Situation
To a surprise, Taylor wasn’t the first running back selected, and wasn’t even selected in the first round. After watching two running backs go before him, Jonathan Taylor heard his name called 41st by the Indianapolis Colts, hoping to be the franchise running back for years to come. He joined a team that had the second best run blocking grade of any offensive line the season before, headlined by superstar guard Quentin Nelson.
From the jump, the pairing seemed like a home run hit, rushing for 1,169 yards and 11 touchdowns, being named First Team All Rookie. But more was expected, and Taylor entered his second season ready to avoid a sophomore slump. Taylor broke out, leading the league in rushing yards with 1,811 yards, while also leading with 18 rushing touchdowns. He was subsequently named a Pro Bowler and a First-team All-Pro. He tied the NFL record for consecutive games with at least 100 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown with 8, and broke the record of youngest players with 2,000 yards from scrimmage and 20 touchdowns in a season. Everything was in line for Jonathan Taylor to repeat his success and push for an Offensive Player of The Year award, but that didn’t happen.
Photo Cred: CNN
Injuries Suck
Taylor started his 2022 campaign strong with 161 yards and a touchdown in Week 1. But late in the fourth quarter of week 4 against the Titans somebody landed on Taylor’s ankle, which forced him to miss his first NFL game of his career. In Week 15 he reinjured the same ankle, spraining it and ultimately being put on the IR, ending his season. He ended with 861 rushing yards and four touchdowns in eleven games.
On August 29th, 2023, Taylor was placed on the physically unable to perform list with complications from his ankle. During this period, it was reported that the standoff with his contract worsened, with Taylor requesting a trade after meeting with the Colts owner Jim Irsay. Taylor was unhappy with his contract and either wanted it fixed or a change of scenery. After four weeks of stalled negotiations, Taylor was activated off the PUP list and signed a three-year, 42 million dollar extension. He also injured his thumb which required surgery, and forced him to miss weeks 13-15. In the season finale however, he rushed for a season high 188 yards and a touchdown against the Texans. He finished the season with 741 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.
The Resurgence
Entering 2024, Jonathan Taylor was ready to make his comeback. After struggling with injuries after signing a massive extension, he needed to remind fans why they paid that money. Jonathan Taylor had his best season since the 2021 season, rushing for over 1,400 yards and 11 touchdowns, and being named a Pro Bowler for the second time in his career. Still, Taylor missed games with an ankle injury stemming back to the previous seasons. The offseason was about getting that ankle right.
“I know what I can do when I’m healthy.”
The 2025 offseason was a big one for the Indianapolis Colts that saw change. The biggest addition was Daniel Jones from Minnesota to be their starting quarterback over Anthony Richardson. The Colts entered the season as heavy favorites, -400, to win the AFC South.
So far, the Colts have been the talk of the league. They opened Week 1 with a 33-8 domination over the Dolphins, and followed it with wins in Weeks 2 & 3 with Taylor having a combined 338 yards and three touchdowns in the 3-0 start. Since then, the Colts as a team have been elite. They have started the season going 7-1 in large parts to Taylor’s performances including the game winning touchdown against the Cardinals and five total touchdowns in two games versus Tennessee. Jonathan Taylor is currently leading the NFL in rushing yards with 850, while also leading with 12 rushing touchdowns.
Looking ahead of the Colts schedule, they do not play very many teams that have good run stopping defenses. The Colts already have the best record in the NFL, and there is a real possibility that they win 6-8 of their remaining games with Taylor leading the way. He is on pace for over 1700 yards and over 25 touchdowns, which is putting him really close to the all-time season mark of 28 held my LaDanian Tomlinson.
Jonathan Taylor has managed to prove to the entire NFL he is, and has been the best running back in the NFL. Injuries stop most players, specifically running backs from having long careers, and with running backs being the most replaceable position, it is hard to fight your way back. Taylor has proven his work ethic will not let him down and he is the face of running backs in the league and is continuing to be for the rest of his career.
