Roc Taylor
PositionWide receiver
Birth dateSeptember 26, 2002 (age 23)
Birth placeOxford, Alabama, U.S.
Height6 ft
Height in2
Weight lb213
High schoolOxford
CollegeMemphis (2021–2024)
Undraftedyear2025
Pastteams
CflstatusAmerican
Highlights
PfrTaylRo02

Rokafewlloa Onasis "Roc" Taylor (born September 26, 2002) is an American professional football wide receiver. He played college football for the Memphis Tigers. He was selected by the Columbus Aviators during the 2026 UFL free agent draft.

Early life

Taylor attended Oxford High School in Oxford, Alabama. As a junior he recorded 71 receptions for 1,306 yards and 17 touchdowns, earning first-team Class 6A all-state honors.[1] As a senior Taylor tallied 52 receptions for 1,014 yards and 17 touchdowns.[2] Coming out of high school, he was rated as a three-star recruit and committed to play college football for the Tennessee Volunteers.[3] However after being committed for the Volunteers for over a year, after head coach Jeremy Pruitt was fired and new Tennessee coach Josh Heupel was brought in, Taylor's scholarship was pulled by the new coaching staff.[4] He subsequently committed to play for the Memphis Tigers.[5]

College career

In his first two collegiate seasons in 2021 and 2022, Taylor appeared in 18 games where he notched 28 receptions for 342 yards and a touchdown.[6][7] In the 2023 season opener, he tallied six receptions for 78 yards versus 2023 Bethune–Cookman.[8] In week 4, Taylor recorded seven receptions for 143 yards against Missouri.[9] In week 5, he recorded five receptions for 102 yards and a touchdown in a win over Boise State.[10] Taylor finished the 2023 season with 69 catches for 1,083 yards and four touchdowns.[11]

In week 9 of the 2024 season, Taylor caught the game-winning 24-yard touchdown to help beat Charlotte.[12] In his final collegiate season in 2024, he notched 66 receptions for 950 yards and two touchdowns for the Tigers.[7][13]

Professional career

Pittsburgh Steelers

Taylor signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent on April 26, 2025.[14] He was released by the Steelers on August 18.[15]

Columbus Aviators

On January 14, 2026, Taylor was selected by the Columbus Aviators of the United Football League (UFL).[16] He was released on April 7.[17]

Ottawa Redblacks

On April 20, 2026, Taylor signed with the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL).[18] He was released on May 24.[19]

References

  1. ^ Thomas, Ben (July 15, 2020). "Auburn putting ‘full-court press’ on Tennessee wide receiver commit Roc Taylor". AL.com. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  2. ^ Thomas, Ben. "Oxford wide receiver Roc Taylor commits to Memphis, 1 day after he was dropped by Vols". AL.com. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  3. ^ Martin, Brandon. "Analysis: Vols Getting Versatile Jumbo Athlete in Roc Taylor Commitment". Tennessee Volunteers on SI. SI.com. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  4. ^ Toppmeyer, Blake (3 February 2021). "High school coach says Vols pulled offer from Roc Taylor. 'It’s just really crappy'". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  5. ^ Barnes, Evan (3 February 2021). "Roc Taylor is Memphis football's highest-rated 2021 signee after Tennessee reportedly pulls offer". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  6. ^ Fragoza, James. "2024 AAC WR Rankings: Memphis Has Conference’s Best Trio in Roc Taylor, Demeer Blankumsee, and Koby Drake". College Football Network. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  7. ^ "Roc Taylor". Sports Reference. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  8. ^ Bonner II, Frank. "It’s Roc Taylor’s time to shine in his third year with the Tigers". The Daily Memphian. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  9. ^ Dylan, Jonah (5 October 2023). "Memphis football's Roc Taylor shows restraint in diet, not on the football field". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  10. ^ Buckley, Tim. "Buckley: Tigers had an ‘inexcusable, pedestrian start.’ Roc Taylor woke them up.". The Daily Memphian. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  11. ^ Dylan, Jonah (14 November 2024). "How Rokafewlloa (Roc) Taylor lived up to his name during dynamic 4-year Memphis football career". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  12. ^ Dylan, Jonah (26 October 2024). "Roc Taylor's TD catch is all-time Memphis football moment, other overreactions from Charlotte win". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  13. ^ Buckley, Tim. "Buckley: Roc Taylor wasn’t about to drop the pass that saved the day". The Daily Memphian. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  14. ^ "Steelers agree to terms with free agents". Steelers.com. April 26, 2025.
  15. ^ Varley, Teresa. "Steelers make moves, sign three". Steelers.com. Retrieved 24 March 2026.
  16. ^ "Day Two of UFL Draft Introduces New Faces and Ignites the New Era of Spring Football". www.theufl.com. Retrieved 2026-01-16.
  17. ^ Inabinett, Mark. "UFL Roundup Week 2: Renegades win through the air again". AL.com. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  18. ^ Heilman, Michael. "Ottawa Redblacks sign WR Roc Taylor, two others". BGMSportsTrax.com. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  19. ^ "Ottawa Redblacks add two Canadians to six-game injured list". 3DownNation.com. Retrieved 26 May 2026.