Mason Taylor is headed to the Big Apple.
Taylor, who spent all three collegiate seasons at LSU, was selected 42nd overall by the New York Jets in the 2025 NFL Draft on Friday night.
As a freshman, the Plantation, Florida native earned his way onto the field, starting for the Tigers. In his 2022 season, Taylor hauled in 38 passes for 414 yards and three touchdowns.
His biggest moment would go down in his freshman year as he caught the game-winning two-point conversion to take down Alabama at home 32-31 in overtime. In the game, Taylor caught three passes for 36 yards and a touchdown to upset the 6th-ranked Crimson Tide.
In his 2023 sophomore season, Taylor remained LSU’s starting tight end but took a step back statistically. His 36 catches, 348 yards, and one scores was a product of quarterback Jayden Daniels being the leading passer and rusher for the Tigers, leading to the senior signal caller hoisting the Heisman Trophy.
2024 was better for Taylor as he set career-highs in receptions and yards in his junior season. The 6’5′ and 250-pounder finished the year with 55 catches for 546 yards and two touchdowns as the Tigers went 9-4.
Taylor’s family is deeply rooted in the NFL. Mason’s father is Miami Dolphins legend Jason Taylor. Dad was a 15-year veteran at defensive end and linebacker for the Dolphins, Washington Redskins, and New York Jets. Jason isn’t the only notable Dolphins player who is blood-related to Mason. Taylor’s uncle is Zach Thomas, who spent over a decade in Miami and was a player in the league for 13 seasons.
Now, Taylor takes his talents to New York as the newest member of the Jets. Taylor will become quarterback Justin Fields’ security blanket at the intermediate part of the field, as wide receiver Garrett Wilson will handle the outside,e and Breece Hall remains the lead ball carrier.