Deon Taylor

Deon Taylor

No. 23 – New Orleans Second Line
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
ISFL Draft:	2030  / Round: 3 / Pick: 27
DSFL Draft:	2029  / Round: 12 / Pick: 68
Career history
Palm Beach Solar Bears (2029 (S14)) New Orleans Second Line (2030 (S15) - 2035 (S20))
Roster status:	Active
Career highlights and awards
2x Second-team All-SEC (2027, 2028) DSFL Pro Bowl (2029) 3x NSFL Pro Bowl (2030, 2031, 2033)
Career NSFL statistics as of Week 1, 2035
Total tackles: 309 Pass deflections: 105 Interceptions: 16 Forced fumbles: 2 Fumble recoveries: 1 Defensive touchdowns: 1

Deon Taylor (born July 23, 2006) is an American football cornerback for the New Orleans Second Line of the National Simulation Football League (NSFL). He played college football for Missouri before being drafted by the Palm Beach Solar Bears in the 2029 DSFL Draft (S14). He would then be selected with the 27th overall pick in the 3rd round of the 2030 ISFL Draft (S15) by the New Orleans Second Line.

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 Coordinator 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 varsity 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 287 total tackles. Even with this impressive stat line, Deon didn't seem to draw much attention from colleges. He did not receive 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

Pre-draft measurables

Ht	Wt	40‑yd dash	20‑ss	3‑cone	Vert jump	Broad	BP	Wonderlic
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	195 lb (88 kg)	4.40 s	4.24 s	7.11 s	29.3 in (0.74 m)	10 ft 6 in (3.20 m)	19 reps	39
NSFL Season 15 Scouting Combine

DSFL career

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

Deon would start all 14 games for the Solar Bears ending the season with 75 tackles, 3 interceptions and 9 passes defended.

NSFL Draft

Deon was drafted by the New Orleans Second Line with the 27th overall pick in the 3rd round.

Two days later, Deon signed a 3 year, $9,000,000 contract to start his career in New Orleans.

2030: Rookie Year

Deon quickly jumped onto the scene as he grabbed two interceptions in his NSFL debut against the Orange County Otters. They would end up losing the game 26-34, but it was a very impressive beginning to his career. For the rest of the season, Deon would fall short of the expectation he left himself after the first game. He would only tally one more interception the whole year after the impressive two-interception debut. But the Second Line would end with an even more disappointing 2-12 record. But as a silver lining, Deon would get the first Pro Bowl invitation of his career.

2031

In his second season, Deon would have an almost identical statistical year to his rookie campaign. Having the same number of tackles, interceptions and one less pass defended, he would again find himself in the pro bowl. New Orleans would fall one game short of the playoffs finishing 6-7.

2032

After back to back pro bowl appearances, Deon failed to get selected in 2032. Some felt that he got snubbed as fellow teammate Jordan Andrews got selected while tallying the same amount of interceptions, one less pass defended and 14 fewer tackles than Taylor. But when asked about it, Deon said "Jordan definitely deserved recognition for his solid rookie year. Obviously I wanted to be selected again, but I missed out and I am happy the spot went to Jordan. He's a great guy."

His third year in the league would once again end in the regular season as the Second Line would finish the year with a disappointing 4-9 record. But with the team still young and developing, there were high hopes for the next season.

2033

New Orleans would start the 2033 season with a lot of expectations. The young and talented group that they built through the draft had gained some experience and were now expected to turn that into wins. They would start the year off strong by winning their first 3 games. Things were looking good in New Orleans. They followed up the win streak with a record of 2-2 in their next 4 games. Sitting at 5-2, the Second Line were in a great position to reach their first postseason in 7 years, as well as the first postseason appearance for Deon Taylor. But New Orleans would drop the last 6 games of the year and end with a 5-8 record.

For the 4th year in Deon's career, he would be on the outside looking in for the playoffs. Although the season was a disappointment for the team, Deon would secure his third pro bowl appearance in 4 years.

2034

Prior to the 2034 season, New Orleans made some moves to bolster their roster. They added veteran receiver Vinny Valentine, defensive tackle Blake Faux and 2033 Offensive Rookie of the Year Marcella Tōriki to name a few. Also holding the 1st, 3rd and 8th pick in the draft, the Second Line was in a great position to improve lots going into the 2034 season. They would use those picks to add linebacker Mack Arianlacher, tight end Austin McCormick and safety Mason Blaylock to the roster. With all these moves, and with the core of young talent starting to get older, this was the most expectations a Second Line team has had in quite a while.

Even with all the additions to the lineup, New Orleans would start the year 2-4. It was needless to say a very disappointing start for a very hopeful team. But starting in week 7, the team would go on a hot streak winning 6 of their last 7 games. For the first time since 2026, the New Orleans Second Line were heading to the playoffs. This also marked the first playoff appearance in Deon Taylor's career.

The Second Line would win their quarterfinal matchup against the Austin Copperheads 28-17. Deon had a quiet night only tallying 3 tackles and 1 pass deflection. The win granted them a bid to the ASFC Championship Game against the two time defending Ultimus Bowl champions, the Orange County Otters.

In the ASFC Championship Game, Deon would have an even quieter performance after only having two tackles. But unlike last week, Deon's quiet performance didn't result in a win. New Orleans fell to Orange County by a score of 13-28. New Orleans couldn't establish the run game and the Second Line defense couldn't contain the firepower that was the Otter's offense. Orange County would go on to win their 3rd Ultimus Championship in a row, as well as their 8th in franchise history.

Although it was disappointing to end the year on a loss, Deon would have a career year with 5 interceptions (2nd in the league) and 27 passes defended (1st in the league). It also came with 58 tackles which ranked 12th for cornerbacks.

Even with the amazing year he had, Deon would fall one vote short of winning the Defensive Back of the Year award. This sparked controversy throughout the league as the winner Richard D’Attoria V was a hybrid safety/linebacker and didn't play solely defensive back. Many felt as though Deon Taylor deserved the award and got snubbed by a player that was playing out of position. Soon after, the league made a rule that prevented players from winning awards for their listed position, if they played out of position. Deon also received one vote for Breakout Player of the Year.

DSFL statistics

Year	Team
		GP	Tackles	PD	Int	Yds	Avg	TD	FF	FR
2029	PB	14	75	9	3	26	8.6	0	0	0
Career		14	75	9	3	26	8.6	0	0	0

NSFL statistics

Regular season

Year	Team
		GP	Tackles	PD	Int	Yds	Avg	TD	FF	FR
2030	NOLA	14	59	21	3	-1	-0.3	0	0	0
2031	NOLA	13	59	20	3	12	4.0	0	0	0
2032	NOLA	13	72	20	2	48	24.0	0	0	0
2033	NOLA	13	61	17	3	101	33.6	1	2	1
2034	NOLA	13	58	27	5	7	1.4	0	0	0
2035	NOLA	13	60	12	2	55	27.5	0	2	1
2036	NOLA	13	65	13	2	27	13.5	1	1	0
Total		92	434	130	20	249	12.4	2	5	2

Postseason

Year	Team
		GP	Tackles	PD	Int	Yds	Avg	TD	FF	FR
2034	NOLA	2	5	1	0	0	0.0	0	0	0
Total		2	5	1	0	0	0.0	0	0	0

Awards and records

Awards

• NSFL Defensive Back of the Year Runner-up: 2024
• NSFL Pro Bowl Selection (3): 2030 , 2031 , 2033
• DSFL Pro Bowl Selection (1): 2029

Records

NSFL

Season

• 2034: 9th all time for passes defended in a season (27)

New Orleans Second Line

Career

• 1st all time for career passes defended (105)

• 3rd all time for career interceptions (16)

• Tied for 8th in all time career defensive touchdowns (1)

• 11th all time for career tackles (309)

Season

• 2034: 3rd all time for passes defended in a season (27)

• 2034: Tied 8th all time for interceptions in a season (5)