Cincinnati Football: Bearcats fifth-year defensive end Jabari Taylor declares for NFL Draft

Bearcats graduate defensive end Jabari Taylor announced his decision to declare for the 2023 NFL Draft today! The Akron native played in 56 games during his five-year career at Cincinnati.

Taylor appeared in six games during his redshirt freshman season in 2018 and became an integral part of the Bearcats dominant defense in recent years, playing in every game from 2019-2021.

Despite battling injuries this year, Taylor totaled a career-best 36 tackles to go with five tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks, highlighted by a 2.5-sack performance in a 31-21 win at Tulsa in October.

The 6’1, 280-pound defensive end finished his career with 109 total tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries including a touchdown against Kennesaw State this season.

Cincinnati Football: Bearcats fifth-year defensive end Jabari Taylor declares for NFL Draft

Taylor joined a ton of Bearcats to declare for the draft alongside Arquon Bush, Charles McClelland, Ja’Von Hicks, Wilson Huber, Tyler Scott, Leonard Taylor, Tre Tucker, James Tunstall and Josh Whyle.

Stay up to date with the latest news as the Bearcats await decisions from a few more starters, most notably All-American linebacker Ivan Pace Jr and senior running back Ryan Montgomery.

Just over a week after the Fenway Bowl, Taylor declared for the NFL Draft with a thank you to his teammates and the entire Cincinnati program. Check out an excerpt from the Instagram post!

"“All I ever needed and all I’ll ever need is an opportunity, and you all gave me one. It really became a family here in Cincinnati and we all made some crazy history. I was a part of something special down to my last day and that’s something I can’t forget if I tried. We made history. Don’t forget it. With that being said, heading into this next chapter of my life, I want to leave no stone unturned. I’m shooting my shot and declaring for the NFL Draft.”"