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Steve Taylor
Tale of the Tape – 6’0” 205 lbs. QB listed, probably 5’10” 180 lbs. in reality
Awards – 1986 Sugar Bowl MVP, 1st in Big 8 passing TDs in 1987 (!) with 13
College career – athletic option QB who was 3-year starter under Tom Osborne at Nebraska. Came off the bench as a freshman to lead Cornhuskers to 27-23 victory over Michigan in Fiesta Bowl. Team was always one of the top-ranked programs in the nation, attaining #1 status in 1987 before losing Oklahoma game. Was the rival to the Sooners’ Jamelle Holieway, but went 1-2 against him. Led Big 8 in passing TDs in 1987, proving how run-oriented that conference was in the 80’s. Ran for 2125 yards and 32 TDs in his career, while throwing for 2815 yards and 30 TDs.
One Steve Taylor highlight was throwing for 5 TDs against Troy Aikman’s UCLA squad. Another was Taylor’s 4 TDs against Barry Sanders’ Oklahoma State team in an underrated 63-42 shootout win.
What happened next: Lack of passing ability (career 45% comp in college) and size made Taylor a less-than-appealing NFL prospect. Was a 12th round pick by the Colts, but did not make team. Instead, spent 8 years in the CFL as a backup QB.
