Devin Taylor

Devin Darnell Taylor (born November 15, 1989) is an American football defensive end for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at South Carolina, and was drafted by the Lions in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

Taylor was born on Lady's Island, South Carolina. He attended Beaufort High School, where he helped lead his Beaufort Eagles to the Class AAAA state championship game his senior year. He recorded 110 tackles with 10 quarterback sacks and 19 tackles for a loss during his senior campaign, and was recognized with first-team all-state selections from the Associated Press and The State. He recorded 80 tackles and four sacks as a junior. Taylor also lettered in basketball and track and field. As a senior, he won the Class 4A state title in the triple jump with a leap of 48 feet 3 inches.

Taylor received an athletic scholarship to attend the University of South Carolina, where he played for coach Steve Spurrier's South Carolina Gamecocks football team from 2008 to 2012. He redshirted as a true freshman in 2008. He started the first five games but split playing time with Clifton Geathers for the duration of the 2009 season. Taylor earned recognition as the SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week in his first career college football game against NC State. In his first career college snap, Taylor forced a fumble that was recovered by the Gamecocks, which led to the only touchdown of the game. On NC State's second possession, he blocked a punt. He finished the game with six tackles (three for a loss), two forced fumbles, and a sack. In the 2009 season he recorded a total of 28 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks.

As a sophomore, Taylor started all 14 games and led USC defensive linemen with 46 tackles, including thirteen tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. He also led the team with eight pass breakups and eleven quarterback hurries. He scored a touchdown on a 24-yard interception return at Tennessee, which coupled with two fumble recoveries earned him recognition as SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week. Taylor, along with teammates Alshon Jeffery and Marcus Lattimore, was a first-team selection for the 2010 Associated Press All-SEC team.

Taylor started all 13 games for the 2011 Gamecocks, accruing 42 tackles and six sacks. He also had an interception returned for a touchdown in a loss against Arkansas. In 2012 Taylor started all 13 games, and logged 40 tackles with 8.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. He was also credited with five pass breakups and three hurries.

The Detroit Lions selected Taylor in the fourth round, with the 132nd overall pick, of the 2013 NFL Draft.

On December 3, 2015, Taylor was involved in a controversial penalty call, where he was flagged for a face mask on Aaron Rodgers. The Packers would throw the game winning Hail Mary after the call.