Darius Taylor

NFL Draft Profile: Darius Taylor

Position: Running Back | School: Minnesota | Class: Junior

Height: 5'11" | Weight: 215 lbs | Archetype: 3-Down Back (All-Purpose)

College Career Summary

Darius Taylor’s career in Minneapolis has been defined by high-octane production often interrupted by the "injury bug." Since his freshman season, where he set a school record with 208 rushing yards in the Quick Lane Bowl, Taylor has been the undisputed motor of the Gophers' offense. In 2024, he was a Big Ten leader in running back receptions (54), proving he is a true modern weapon.

The 2025 season was a rollercoaster. After a massive 141-yard opener, Taylor missed nearly a month due to a nagging hamstring/leg injury. He returned to torch Nebraska and capped his season with a dominant performance in the Rate Bowl, where he led Minnesota to an overtime win over New Mexico. While his statistical totals were dampened by missing four games, his film remains some of the most impressive in the country, showcasing elite "one-cut" efficiency and pro-level contact balance.

2025 Regular Season Stats

• Rushing: 143 carries, 670 Yds, 4 TD (4.7 avg)

• Receiving: 34 Receptions, 245 Yds, 0 TD

• Passing: 1 Att, 0 Comp (Career: 1 TD pass in 2024)

• All-Purpose: 915 Yards (in 10 active games)

2025 Game-by-Game Grades

Week	Opponent	Stats (Rush/Yds/TD)	Grade	Scout's Notes
1	vs Buffalo	30/141/0	A-	Massive volume; 177 all-purpose yards. Pure workhorse.
2	vs NW State	3/20/0	B	Limited snaps; exited early to preserve health.
3-4	—	—	N/A	Out (Leg/Hamstring).
5	@ #1 Ohio St	8/12/0	D+	Season Low. Overmatched by OSU front; clearly playing at 70%.
6	vs Purdue	14/32/0	C	High-level receiving (67 yds) but no room to run between tackles.
7	vs #25 Nebraska	24/148/1	A+	The Statement. Shredded a Top-25 defense; looked 100% healthy.
8	@ Iowa	1/1/0	F	Disaster. Injured on the first drive; did not return.
9	—	—	N/A	Out (Injury).
10	@ #12 Oregon	10/57/0	B	Efficient change of pace; showed burst against elite speed.
11	@ Northwestern	10/43/1	B+	Scored the go-ahead TD; reliable in the 4th quarter.
12	vs Wisconsin	19/100/1	A	The Axe. 49-yard TD run highlighted his breakaway gear.
Bowl	vs New Mexico	24/116/1	A+	Bowl MVP. Carried the offense in an OT thriller.

Scouting Grade Rubric

Intangibles (.20) — Grade: 94/100

• Leadership: The heartbeat of the offense. P.J. Fleck frequently cites his maturity and "rowing the boat" mentality.

• Mental Toughness: Has battled back from three separate multi-week injuries in three years without losing his edge.

• Competitor: Wants the ball in the 4th quarter; high-effort player on every snap.

• Star Power: When he is on the field, Minnesota’s win probability significantly increases.

Physical Tools (.20) — Grade: 84/100

• Height/Weight: 5'11", 215 lbs. (Ideal density for the NFL).

• Stamina: Capable of 30-carry games, though his body has struggled to sustain that over a full season.

• Durability/Injury History: Primary Concern. Recurring hamstring and leg issues have caused him to miss 10+ games in three years.

Attributes (.20) — Grade: 95/100

• Ball Security: Excellent. High-and-tight carrier with minimal career fumbles.

• Vision: Elite. Patient runner who excels in zone schemes; understands how to "press" the hole.

• Contact Balance: Exceptional. He has a rare ability to absorb a hit, spin, and stay upright.

• Catching: Pro-ready. He is a mismatch for linebackers in the passing game.

• Pass Block: Technically sound; identifies the "mike" and sticks his face in the fan.

Athleticism (.20) — Grade: 88/100

• Speed: Functional home-run speed (49-yd TD vs Wisconsin), but lacks the "Saquon-level" 4.3 gear.

• Agility: Elite short-area twitch. His spin move is a legitimate weapon at the second level.

• Acceleration: Sudden. Reaches his top speed quickly after the initial cut.

• Break Tackle: Uses body control and low center of gravity to slip tackles rather than just "trucking" them.

IQ (.20) — Grade: 96/100

• Awareness: High processing speed; excellent at identifying blitzers pre-snap.

NFL Scouting Report

• Strengths: Pro-style frame with elite contact balance; high-volume receiving floor; exceptional vision in zone-blocking systems; high-character leadership.

• Weaknesses: Significant medical red flags (chronic leg injuries); lacks elite breakaway "track" speed; heavy workload when healthy leads to durability questions.

• Scheme Fit: Ideal for an Outside Zone or West Coast system that uses the RB as a heavy receiving threat (e.g., 49ers, Rams, Packers).

• NFL Comparison: Rashad White (Bucs) / Kyren Williams (Rams).

Scout's Final Word

"Darius Taylor has Round 1 tape but a Round 4 medical folder. He is arguably the most complete 3-down back in the Big Ten when healthy, possessing the vision of a veteran and the hands of a slot receiver. If an NFL team trusts their training staff to manage his soft-tissue injuries, they are getting a potential Pro Bowl-caliber starter. Projected: Round 3–4 (Medical dependent)."