2016 Football Roster
Jersey Number 4
D.J. Taylor
- Ht./Wt.:
- 6-0 / 190
- Position:
- WR
- Hometown:
- Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
- High School:
- University School
2016 Senior
- Played in 10 games at wide receiver
- Seven receptions for 65 yards on the season
- Five of seven receptions came in the last five games
- Season-best 24 yards against Western Michigan
- Tied career long with 19-yard reception against Western Michigan
2015 Junior
- Played in 11 games, including three starts
- 22 receptions for 216 yards (19.6 yards per game) on season
- Career-highs in receptions (5) and receiving yards (46) against Western Illinois
- Career high with 46 yards on three receptions against Wisconsin, including a season-long 19-yard reception
- First career start vs. Middle Tennessee
2014 Sophomore
- Played in six games but didn't record any stats
- Saw action against Northwestern, Iowa, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Washington, Western Kentucky and Youngstown State
2013 Freshman
- Played in eight games, catching one pass for five yards
- Caught his first career pass, a five-yarder, against Miami (Ohio)
- Made Illini debut in the season-opener against SIU
High School
- Three-star recruit by Rivals and 247Sports
- Ranked as the No. 103 wide receiver in the nation by 247Sports
- Helped University High win the Florida 3A state title as a senior with an undefeated 13-0 season
- Team was also named the 2012 MaxPreps Small School National Champion
- Team finished 2012 as top-ranked team in South Florida and No. 2 overall team in Florida
- Earned Associated Press 3A second-team all-state honors
- Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel All-County selection
- Miami Herald All-County pick
- As a senior, had 40 catches for 577 yards (14.43 yards per catch / 72.1 yards per game) and seven touchdowns
- As a junior, had 34 receptions for 530 yards and five touchdowns
- Four-year varsity letterwinner in football
- Also lettered in track in 2012
Personal
- First name pronounced dee-ON-tay
- Born Sept. 29, 1993
- Parents are Schreaka and John Taylor
- Nickname is "D.J."
- Chose Illinois over Nebraska, Syracuse, Central Florida, Louisville and Cincinnati among many others
- Active in his high school's art institute
- Favorite athlete is NFL quarterback Michael Vick because "he set a trend that led to a new breed of athletic quarterbacks."
- Majoring in communication
Career Highs
Receptions: 5 vs. Western Illinois 9/12/15
Receiving Yards: 46 vs. Western Illinois 9/12/15
Long Reception: 19, twice (last vs. Western Michigan 9/17/16)
Punt Returns: 1 vs. Purdue, 10/8/16
Punt Return Yards: -1 vs. Purdue, 10/8/16
Illinois Football | Bret Bielema Press Conference 3/5/26
Thursday, March 05
Illinois Football | Bobby Hauck Introductory Press Conference 2/12/26
Thursday, February 12
Illinois Football | Bret Bielema Press Conference 2/4/26
Thursday, February 05
Illinois Football | Xavier Scott Return Announcement Press Conference Press Conference 1/21/26
Wednesday, January 21
