Springfield native Taylor signs with Jaguars

Cincinnati's Leonard Taylor (11) is chased by Notre Dame's JD Bertrand (27) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in South Bend, Ind. Cincinnati won 24-13. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Credit: Darron Cummings

Credit: Darron Cummings

Cincinnati's Leonard Taylor (11) is chased by Notre Dame's JD Bertrand (27) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in South Bend, Ind. Cincinnati won 24-13. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Springfield High School product Leonard Taylor is getting a shot in the NFL.

Soon after the 2023 NFL draft ended Saturday night, Taylor, a 6-foot-5, 235-pound tight end who played collegiately at Cincinnati, signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent.

“I’m so excited to be a part of this team and community,” Taylor said on Twitter.

Taylor caught 18 passes for 170 yards and two touchdowns this season for the Bearcats. He teamed with Josh Whyle to give the Bearcats one of the top tight end duos in the country. Whyle was drafted in the fifth round by the Titans.

Taylor played in 60 games for the Bearcats over five seasons. He finished his college career with 69 receptions for 697 yards and eight touchdowns.

Taylor earned a degree in interdisciplinatry studies with a minor in criminal justice from Cincinnati. He said at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis last month he wants to use his education to give back to his community,

Taylor graduated from Springfield in 2018. A four-star recruit who was the No. 5 ranked player in Ohio, he played quarterback and defensive end for the Wildcats.

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

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