Herschel Walker. Ron Dayne. Ricky Williams. Adrian Peterson. LaDainian Tomlinson. Dominant running backs. Legendary names. Unrivaled production … until now.
There’s a new kid on the block and he’s "Bringing Running Back," back into the spotlight, just like those that came before him. And his name is Jonathan Taylor.
His Place Among The Greats
Jonathan Taylor rushed for more yards than any player in FBS history through his first 3 seasons:
- Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin (2017–19) 6,174
- Herschel Walker, Georgia (1980–82) 5,596
- Ron Dayne, Wisconsin (1996–98) 5,091
- LaMichael James, Oregon (2009–11) 5,082
Taylor became just the 7th player in FBS history to rush for 6,000 career yards and the 1st to do so in just 3 seasons
- Ron Dayne, Wisconsin (1996–99) 7,125
- Ricky Williams, Texas (1995–98) 6,592
- Tony Dorsett, Pitt (1973–76) 6,526
- Donnel Pumphrey, SDSU (2013–16) 6,405
- Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin (2017–19) 6,174
- Charles White, USC (1976–79) 6,245
Despite playing just three seasons, Taylor ranks 2nd in Big Ten history in career rushing yards:
- Ron Dayne (WIS), 1996–99 7,125
- Jonathan Taylor (WIS), 2017-Present 5,932
- Archie Griffin (OSU), 1972–75 5,589
2019… By The Numbers
2003
Rush Yds.
2255
Total Yds.
143.1
Rush YPG
161.1
Total YPG
6.5
Yards Per Touch
26
Total TDs
| Opponent | Rushes | Rush Yards | Average | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Total Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USF | 16 | 135 | 8.4 | 2 | 48 | 4 |
| C. Michigan | 19 | 102 | 5.4 | 3 | 17 | 4 |
| Michigan | 23 | 203 | 8.8 | 1 | 5 | 2 |
| Northwestern | 26 | 119 | 4.6 | 3 | 15 | 1 |
| Kent State | 19 | 186 | 9.8 | 3 | 29 | 5 |
| Michigan State | 26 | 80 | 3.1 | 3 | 22 | 2 |
| Illinois | 28 | 132 | 4.7 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Ohio State | 20 | 52 | 2.6 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Iowa | 31 | 250 | 8.1 | 1 | 8 | 0 |
| Nebraska | 25 | 204 | 8.2 | 2 | 11 | 2 |
| Purdue | 28 | 222 | 7.9 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Minnesota | 18 | 78 | 4.2 | 2 | 39 | 3 |
| Ohio State | 20 | 148 | 7.4 | 2 | 8 | 1 |
| Oregon | 21 | 94 | 4.5 | 2 | 43 | 0 |
- In 2019, Taylor led the country in touchdowns scored (26).
- In 2019, Taylor finished second in the country in total yards from scrimmage (2,255).
- Taylor is the only FBS player to rush for at least 1,900 yards in 3 consecutive seasons.
- Taylor joined Ron Dayne (1996, ’99) and Iowa State’s Troy Davis (1995, ’96) as the only players to record multiple 2,000–yard seasons.
- Taylor’s combined 4,197 yards in 2018 and 2019 are the highest 2–year total in FBS history, breaking the former record of 4,196 held by UW’s Melvin Gordon.
- Taylor’s career average of 150.6 rushing yards per game is tied for 5th–best in FBS history.
What They're Saying About JT23
- Bleacher Report — Jonathan Taylor wants more, more more
- SI.com — The Insatiable Curiosity of Jonathan Taylor Drives His Relentless Dominance
- 247Sports — Jonathan Taylor's pursuit of NCAA rushing history is on
- TheScore.com — Wisconsin's Taylor is a star on the field and in the classroom
- Saturday Tradition — The ridiculous rushing marks Jonathan Taylor can reach this season
- The Athletic — How Jonathan Taylor quietly became the ‘baddest dude in the country’
- SI.com — From Nation's Leading Rusher to Wisconsin Track Weapon, Jonathan Taylor Keeps Running
Trophy Case
- 2019 Doak Walker Award
- 2019 Unanimous First–Team All–American
- 2019 Ameche–Dayne Big Ten Running Back of the Year
- 2018 Doak Walker Award
- 2018 Unanimous First–Team All–American
- 2018 Ameche–Dayne Big Ten Running Back of the Year
- 2018 New Era Pinstripe Bowl MVP
- 2017 Thompson–Randle El Big Ten Freshman of the Year
- Three–time consensus first–team All–Big Ten
Jonathan Taylor is the third repeat Doak Walker Award winner, joining Texas’ Ricky Williams (1997–98) and Arkansas’ Darren McFadden (2006–07). Wisconsin running backs have now won the Doak a record five times.
Taylor is the first UW player to finish in the top 10 of the Heisman Trophy voting 3 times. He was 6th as a freshman in 2017, 9th in 2018 and 5th in 2019.
