John Taylor Biography

John Gregory Taylor, born on March 31, 1962, was an American professional football player who played as a wide receiver and kick returner for the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL. He attended Pennsauken High School and was one of six NFL players to emerge from his high school during the 1980s. Taylor played college football at Delaware State College, where he was a member of the Hornets football team. He initially tried to walk on at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina, but was not successful. During his college career, he recorded 42 touchdowns, including 33 receiving, with 15 touchdowns in his senior season across just 10 games, both conference records. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 1986 NFL Draft with the 76th overall pick. By the end of the 1988 season, he had caught 23 passes in two years with the 49ers and was primarily used as a punt and kick returner.