Deon Taylor

Deon Taylor

No. 23 – Palm Beach Solar Bears
Position:	Cornerback
Personal information
Born:	(2006-07-23)July 23, 2006 (aged 54) St. Louis, Missouri
Height:	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:	195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school:	Soldan High School
College:	Missouri
DSFL Draft:	2029  / Round: 12 / Pick: 68
Career history
Roster status:	Active
Career highlights and awards
2x Second-team All-SEC (2027, 2028)

Deon Taylor (born July 23, 2006) is an American football cornerback for the Palm Beach Solar Bears of the Developmental Simulation Football League (DSFL). He played college football for Missouri (MIZZOU) before being drafted by the Palm Beach Solar Bears in the 2029 DSFL Draft (S14).

Early years

Deon Taylor was born in St. Louis, Missouri on July 23, 2006. At a young age, he started playing football in the backyard with his father Desmond Taylor. Desmond was a former football player at Soldan High School and a walk-on Wide Reciever/Athlete at Missouri. But unfortunately he would never play a snap for Mizzou. After graduating, Desmond still had a passion for football and decided to coach at his alma mater, Soldan High School. Desmond would often bring Deon to practices to meet the players and hopefully build a love for the game within Deon. It worked out for Desmond as Deon fell in love with football. Early on in Deon's football career, it was obvious he was a step above all his competition. He shined at every position he played, but gravitated toward Quarterback in Elementary School. Somewhere along the way, maybe being because his father was the Defensive Cordinator at Soldan High School, he decided to change to a Defensive Back. Once reaching High School, Deon was quick to start playing on the varsity team. It only took one game on the JV team for the coaches to realize he belonged on the varisty field. Starting off as a kick/punt returner, he got to show off his athletic ability. Midway through the season, he was named to the starting lineup as a Cornerback. He would continue to return kicks and sometimes play Wide Reciever throughout his High School career. He would end his career with 17 interceptions (which included 6 pick sixes), 5 punt returns, 3 kick off returns and 374 total tackles. Even with this impressive stat line, Deon didn't seem to draw much attention from colleges. He did not recieve a single Divison 1 offer and chose to follow his father's footsteps by walking on at Mizzou.

College career

Freshman Year

After deciding to walk on, Deon would quickly impress the coaches with his abilities. He was added to the active roster his Freshman year but was used mostly as a depth piece in Missouri's defense. He would not start a single game his Freshman year but did get some field time.

Sophomore Year

He started his sophomore year as the 4th cornerback on the roster. So although he didn't start, he would get playing time in certain defensive schemes. He would move up the depth chart as the season progressed by playing tough against SEC's talented receivers. During Week 6 against Kentucky, Missouri's top corner Trey Wilson went down with a knee injury early in the second quarter. This led to Deon being brought in to cover Kentucky's best receiver, Marquise Rose. He would limit Rose to only 2 catches and 21 yards. Deon would also pick up his first career interception at Mizzou that day. From that game until the end of his college career, Deon would be named the starting cornerback. During the second to last game of the year against Tennesse, Deon would suffer a fractured ankle, ending his sophomore season. The injury would not require surgery and Deon would be ready to play for next season.

Junior Year

Coming off an ankle injury, Deon wanted to prove he wouldn't regress from the previous year. He would start off strong in his Junior year by only letting up 5 catches in his first 3 games. He would go on to add 3 forced fumbles, 1 interception, and half a sack to his Junior year stat line. Missouri finished the regular season as the #19 team in the nation with a 9-4 record. Deon's Junior year would end with a 31-13 loss to Miami in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl. Deon ended the game with 4 tackles and a pass deflection.

Senior Year

Missouri would start Deon's senior year ranked #17 in the country. Missouri was home to a lethal defense led by Deon Taylor and other lockdown corner, Frank Williams. Deon's best career performance came against Missouri's biggest rival, the Kansas Jayhawks. It was a decisive 41-10 victory led by Deon's interception, forced fumble, and the fumble recovery. He also did not allow a single catch all game resulting in 2 pass deflections. Halfway through the season, the Missouri Tigers were ranked at #8 in the nation and held a 7-0 record. But in the last 6 weeks, the Tigers would go 2-4 and fall to the #22 ranking. Prior to week 8, Missouri was starting to get some buzz as a potential playoff contender. But at the end of the regular season, they would end up ranked lower than the previous year. Hoping to end the year on a high note, Missouri would set their eyes towards Northwestern, their opponent in the Holiday Bowl. Deon's career would end in a heartbreaking 37-34 loss to Northwestern in the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl. Northwestern would make the game-winning field goal with 11 seconds left, leaving a sad ending for the Tiger's once hopeful season. Deon's last game would include an interception, 7 tackles, and 2 pass deflections.

College career statistics

Missouri Tigers
Year	Class	Position	GP	Tackles					Interceptions					Fumbles
				Solo	Ast	Total	Loss	Sack	Int	Yards	Avg	TD	PD	FR	Yards	TD	FF
2025	Freshmen	CB	5	11	4	15	0.0	0.0	0	0	0.0	0	3	0	0	0	1
2026	Sophomore	CB	12	20	13	33	1.5	0.0	1	17	17.0	0	8	0	0	0	0
2027	Junior	CB	13	29	12	41	0.5	0.5	1	6	6.0	0	12	1	8	0	3
2028	Senior	CB	13	37	17	54	1.0	1.5	3	37	12.3	0	12	0	0	0	1

Professional career

DSFL career

Deon was drafted by the Palm Beach Solar Bears with the 68th overall pick in the 12th round.