Day-by-day, members of the U.S. military continue to reach new heights as they capitalize upon their talents outside of the service. Trey Taylor, class of 2023 Air Force Academy graduate, has recently been drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders. Taylor was the third pick in the seventh round of the National Football League (NFL) draft. Learn more about the player who made the cut. Related read: Flag on the Play: EA Sports College Football NIL Excludes Military Teams

Trey Taylor: Stats, Awards, and More

During his time at Air Force Academy, Trey Taylor won the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award for the nation’s top defensive back and the Defender of the Nation Award. He was a first-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). In doing so, Taylor was the first Air Force Falcon since 2010 to earn first-team honors. Taylor also earned a third-team All-America honor by Associated Press (AP), the first Falcon to earn AP honors since Weston Steelhammer in 2016. Last season, Trey Taylor registered a career-high 74 tackles, five tackles for loss, three interceptions, and a touchdown. Taylor’s playing style is full of focus and strict discipline. After the draft, Taylor discussed how his experience at the Academy prepared him for the Raiders. He said, “I've talked to the weight staff, I talked to the coaches and talked to the coaches and talked to a lot of the key personnel, and you can tell they run a tight ship. I love that… it fits me well coming from the Academy and I feel like I'm a killer on the field,” Taylor continued, “I have a different instinct when I get on the field and I brought that from the Academy, and I'm hoping to bring it onto this team.” To Trey Taylor, football playing, serving the country, and studying at one of the most prestigious schools in America were opportunities that he credits for his growth. Additionally, he said that the academy taught him a lot about himself, his maturity, and essentially the person he is today. Suggested read: Small Fraction of Sexually Harassed Vets File a Report, Here’s Why

Taylor Was Drafted as the 10th Overall Air Force Player

Trey Taylor has made Air Force draft history. Taylor is the 10th Air Force player drafted overall, and the first since defensive lineman Jordan Jackson. Jackson was taken in the sixth round and was No. 198 overall, by the New Orleans Saints in 2022. Trey Taylor joins the following list of Air Force members in the NFL draft:

• Ernie Jennings, WR, San Francisco 49ers, 1972 (10th/#257)
• Dave Lawson, PK, New York Giants, 1976 (16th/#444)
• Chad Hennings, DT, Dallas Cowboys, 1988 (11th/#290)
• Joe Wood, PK, Houston Oilers, 1992 (12th/#332)
• Steve Russ, LB, Denver Broncos, 1995 (7th/#218)
• Dan Palmer, OL, San Diego Chargers, 1996 (6th/#178)
• Bryce Fisher, DL, Buffalo Bills, 1998 (7th/#248)
• Austin Cutting, LS, Minnesota Vikings, 2019 (7th/#250)
• Jordan Jackson, DT, New Orleans Saints, 2022 (6th/#198)
• Trey Taylor, S, Las Vegas Raiders, 2024 (7th/#223)

Continue Watching Trey Taylor For More Milestones

Trey Taylor, NFL draft pick No. 223 overall, did not receive a combine invite. He is on the smaller side for a safety at 206 pounds. However, his past, growth as a player, and person evolution speaks volumes. Taylor was all over the field at Air Force Academy and was a playmaker. Continue watching Trey Taylor, Air Force Academy graduate, as he reaches for greater heights in the NFL. You can follow his new LA Raiders profile on ESPN, here, to keep up with his stats as he competes for a starting spot entering the upcoming season. Read next:9 Famous Female Veterans Who Not Only Served, But Made History