July 10, 2007

NJCU'S TAYLOR SIGNS WITH THE ARENA FOOTBALL LEAGUE'S COLUMBUS DESTROYERS

GOTHIC KNIGHT TRACK STANDOUT INKED CONTRACT ON JUNE 26

Former NJCU rack and field and football standout Johnnie Taylor has signed a free agent contract with the Columbus Destroyers of the Arena Football League, the AFL announced on June 26. Taylor, becomes only the second Gothic Knight on record to sign with an AFL club in the 21-year history of that league.  

Taylor was signed to the Destroyers’ practice squad as a defensive back in time for the Columbus AFL Wildcard victory over with the Tampa Bay Storm on July 7.

“It is a dream come true,” Taylor said. “I’ve always wanted to play football since I was a child, and all of the hard work that I’ve put in throughout my life has made this possible. NJCU will always be with me, and this proves you do not need to go to a large school to gain recognition—you just have to work hard.”

Taylor opened his professional football career in April when he signed with the Lehigh Valley Outlawz of the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL). He led Lehigh Valley this season with eight interceptions in nine games, and has been nominated for the CIFL’s Defensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year. 

In a three-year career at NJCU that spanned from 2003-05, Taylor was a three-time NCAA Division III First-Team All-American. Including the indoor season, he was collectively a four-time All-American—the second highest combined total of any men’s track athlete to ever compete for the University.           

A three-sport athlete at NJCU, Taylor started as a freshman wide receiver for the Gothic Knights in 2002 during the final season football was offered as part of the intercollegiate program. That year he played in eight of nine games, and led the Knights with 21 receptions on a run-dominated offense. He finished the season fourth on the team with 188 receiving yards, averaging 23.5 yards per game and 9.0 yard per catch. He scored one touchdown and was fifth on the club in scoring.