Mason Taylor is a name that may be becoming increasingly familiar to NFL fans, especially those who follow college football closely. As a rising star at LSU, he has the potential to be one of the top tight ends in the 2025 NFL Draft. As NFL teams continue to prioritize versatile players who can impact both the passing game and the blocking game, Taylor’s skills and development over the next year will be closely watched. In this comprehensive profile, we’ll cover everything NFL fans need to know about Mason Taylor, his journey to LSU, his skill set, and what he brings to the NFL.
1. Background and Early Life
Mason Taylor was born on May 22, 2003, in Miami, Florida. As the son of Jason Taylor, a Hall of Fame defensive lineman who played 15 seasons in the NFL, Mason was raised in an athletic environment. His father is a well-known figure in the NFL, having made numerous Pro Bowls, been a Defensive Player of the Year, and achieving All-Pro honors multiple times. While his father was an NFL legend, Mason carved his own path in football, focusing on the tight end position.
Growing up in a football-centric family, Mason was exposed to the sport from a young age. He attended St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he became a standout player. Although he initially played defensive end, his transition to tight end during high school helped set the stage for his development at the collegiate level.
2. High School Career at St. Thomas Aquinas
At St. Thomas Aquinas, Taylor quickly made a name for himself as a dynamic, athletic tight end. His combination of size, speed, and football IQ made him a matchup nightmare for high school defenses. During his time at the school, Taylor helped lead his team to several state championships and earned recognition as one of the top tight end prospects in the country.
Taylor’s high school stats are impressive, but it’s his intangibles—his work ethic, football intelligence, and dedication—that stood out. Despite his father’s legacy in the NFL, Mason was determined to forge his own path, and his performance on the field proved that he was more than just a product of his father’s name.
3. Recruitment and Decision to Join LSU
After a standout high school career, Taylor was one of the most sought-after recruits in the country. He received offers from numerous top programs, but ultimately, he chose to play for LSU. Taylor committed to the Tigers in 2021, citing the opportunity to play in the SEC and learn from a coaching staff that had developed some of the best talent in the nation.
LSU has a long-standing tradition of developing top-tier tight ends, and Taylor saw it as the perfect place to continue his development. His decision to join LSU also provided him the opportunity to play in a high-powered offense under head coach Brian Kelly, and it was clear from the outset that he had the potential to make an immediate impact on the field.
4. College Career at LSU
Mason Taylor’s college career began in 2022, and he quickly established himself as one of the most promising tight ends in college football. His debut season was impressive, as he played in all 13 games for the Tigers and caught 38 passes for 414 yards and 4 touchdowns. His ability to stretch the field as a receiving tight end, combined with his excellent blocking skills, made him an invaluable asset to LSU’s offense.
One of Taylor’s standout performances in 2022 came against Alabama, where he caught a game-winning touchdown pass, showcasing his clutch ability and ability to come through in big moments. Over the course of his first season, Taylor’s role in the offense expanded, and he became a go-to target for quarterback Jayden Daniels.
In 2023, Taylor continued to develop into a more complete player. He was able to showcase his skills as both a blocker and a receiver, helping LSU reach new heights on offense. Throughout the season, Taylor proved that he was not just a pass-catching tight end, but also someone who could effectively contribute to the run game with his blocking ability. His versatility and willingness to do the dirty work in the trenches made him even more appealing as a potential future NFL prospect.
5. Physical Attributes and Playing Style
Mason Taylor’s physical attributes stand out as a key reason for his NFL potential. At 6’5″ and 240 pounds, Taylor has the ideal size for a modern NFL tight end. His blend of length, strength, and agility makes him a dangerous weapon both as a blocker and a receiver.
Blocking Ability
One of the most important skills a tight end can have in the NFL is the ability to block effectively. In many ways, Taylor’s blocking ability is one of his most underrated traits. While not as dominant in the run game as some of the more physical tight ends in the NFL, Taylor has shown the ability to hold his own at the line of scrimmage, whether he’s engaging with defensive linemen or helping protect the quarterback.
Taylor’s technique and leverage are developing well, and he is already showing the potential to be a reliable blocker at the next level. His willingness to stay engaged in the trenches will make him a key asset in the run game, especially in teams that prioritize balance and play-action passing.
Receiving Skills
As a receiver, Taylor is a threat in both short and intermediate passing situations. He has excellent hands and the ability to catch passes in traffic, something that will be crucial at the NFL level where defenders are faster and more aggressive. Taylor’s ability to run clean routes and use his size to box out defenders makes him an ideal target in the red zone.
Taylor’s athleticism allows him to create mismatches against slower linebackers and smaller safeties, and his ability to stretch the field will make him a top target in the passing game. He can work the middle of the field effectively and create opportunities for big plays downfield.
Athleticism
Mason Taylor’s athleticism sets him apart from other tight end prospects in this draft class. He has the speed to run deep routes and the agility to make defenders miss in the open field. His combination of size and athleticism allows him to be an explosive weapon after the catch, an important skill in the modern NFL where tight ends are often relied on to generate yards after contact.
6. NFL Projection and Future Outlook
Heading into the 2024 season, Mason Taylor’s stock is rising, and many scouts have pegged him as one of the top tight end prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. His combination of size, athleticism, blocking ability, and pass-catching prowess makes him an intriguing prospect for NFL teams.
While Taylor still has areas of his game to refine, such as his ability to consistently block against elite pass rushers and develop his route-running to be more crisp, his ceiling is incredibly high. Many analysts view him as a player with the potential to be a dynamic dual-threat tight end who can impact both the passing game and the running game.
Taylor has the versatility to play in multiple offensive systems, whether as a traditional in-line tight end, a move tight end, or even a wide receiver in certain packages. His adaptability and well-rounded skill set make him an enticing prospect for NFL teams looking for a player who can contribute in multiple ways.
Mason Taylor is a player to watch closely over the next year as he continues to develop at LSU. His combination of size, athleticism, blocking ability, and receiving skills makes him a standout prospect in the tight end class. While he may not be a finished product yet, his upside is undeniable, and he has the potential to be a key contributor in the NFL for years to come.
NFL teams are always looking for versatile, dynamic playmakers, and Taylor fits that description to a tee. His father’s legacy as an NFL legend may have given him a unique perspective on the game, but it is his own talent and work ethic that will determine his success at the next level. As he prepares for his final season at LSU, Taylor’s draft stock is only likely to continue rising, and he’s a player worth keeping an eye on for NFL fans looking ahead to the 2025 draft.
