Wisconsin legend Jonathan Taylor reacted to future NFL Hall of Fame running back Frank Gore saying he can rush for 2,000 yards with the Indianapolis Colts this season on Tuesday.
Gore, who was selected to five Pro Bowls during his illustrious 16-year NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills and New York Jets, recently told ESPN he believes Taylor can ninth player in NFL history to reach the rushing milestone.
“If he stays healthy, I won’t be surprised if he gets 2,000,” Gore told ESPN in an interview last week.”With his ability and with the way he moves, it’s crazy. I already knew he was fast. But what I like is how he moves in small spaces, man. I didn’t think he had that.”
Taylor, who left Wisconsin as a two-time Doak Walker Award winner and back-to-back unanimous first-team All-America team member, trained with Gore this offseason.
“He’s one of my biggest supporters,” Taylor told NFL commentator Kay Adams in Tuesday’s training camp interview. “That’s one person you want to have supporting you.”
The only other players to eclipse the number are O.J. Simpson (1973), Eric Dickerson (1984), Barry Sanders (1997), Terrell Davis (1998), Jamal Lewis (2003), Chris Johnson (2006), Adrian Peterson (2012) and Derrick Henry (2020).
“It’s been done before. It’s not like it’s crazy to think that no one has done before,” Taylor said. “Not to take anything from Derrick Henry. You guys know what he brings to the table.”
Do we think Jonathan Taylor hits 2K rushing yards this season?
Frank Gore says yes. I say he hit 1800 and now has AR so yessss.
How bout you, @JayT23 ?@Colts pic.twitter.com/3zWoU6zkuJ
— Kay Adams (@heykayadams) August 13, 2024
Prior to a pair of injuries in 2022 and 2023, Taylor amassed a remarkable 1,811 rushing yards in a historic 2021 campaign. He averaged over 100 yards per contest on the ground and rushed for 18 scores as well.
If the former Badger star remains healthy, he could certainly make history this fall. Plus, the addition of a healthy Anthony Richardson under the gun presents another offensive weapon for defenses to consider.
The Colts open the season at home against the Houston Texans on Sept. 8 with Taylor starting at running back.