A salute to 86
Junior tight end Mason Taylor announced Thursday that he would be forgoing his final year of eligibility and entering the 2025 NFL Draft.
Taylor made the announcement on his Instagram.
“From the moment I could say ‘football,’ I had a front-row seat to witnessing this great game played at its highest level, inspiring my dreams and aspirations of one day doing the same,” Taylor wrote. “Louisiana State University has given me the opportunity to play with and against the absolute best college football has to offer, and has prepared me to transform those childhood dreams into reality.
“After prayer and consideration, I have decided to forgo my senior season and declare for the 2025 NFL Draft.”
Taylor’s status for whatever bowl game LSU is bound for is to be determined. His decision comes two days after Will Campbell also declared for the NFL Draft.
Taylor leaves LSU as the most productive tight end in program history. He has an LSU tight ends record for receptions (129) and yards (1,308) and caught six touchdowns. His most famous play, of course, was catching the game-winning two point conversion in overtime against Alabama as a freshman in the 2022 season.
Taylor will most likely be a Day Two pick in this upcoming draft and between his own ability and the pedigree from his father (Hall of Fame defensive end Jason Taylor) and uncle (Hall of Fame linebacker Zach Thomas), Taylor ought to have a long, productive professional career.
With Taylor departing, LSU projects to have three scholarship tight ends for the 2025 season: Ka’Morreun Pimpton, Trey’Dez Green, and incoming freshmen JD LaFleur. Tight end might be a position LSU looks to supplement in the transfer portal as Pimpton and Green are both relatively new to football and are more pass catching threats rather than blockers.