The last player profile is a bit of a bittersweet one to write. Tory Taylor has been one of the most fun players to cover over the years. For any other school, saying that about the punter sounds crazy. Those schools aren’t Iowa though, and they certainly don’t have the man, the myth, the legend, Tory Taylor.
In a 2022 season that, in all honesty, was pretty dismal given the offense, punter Tory Taylor brought us some joy. An honorable mention All-Big Ten selection by league coaches and media the year prior, Taylor immediately established himself as one of the best in the nation in Iowa’s first game. As the offense was booed off the field, Taylor became a national star.
He totaled a career-high 10 punts for 479 yards versus South Dakota State for a 47.9 yards per punt average. Seven punts were downed inside the 20-yard line. Five were downed inside the 12-yard line. His fantastic leg was honestly the sole reason the Hawkeyes even scored points. Those two safeties he set up were the difference in the 7-3 win over the Jackrabbits.
Taylor did this all year, pinning Iowa’s opponents back and placing Phil Parker’s defense in fantastic positions. Many times he was the most valuable player for the Hawkeyes last season.
After a fantastic season where he was named first-team All-America by the Football Writer’s Association of America, Phil Steele and Pro Football Focus, Taylor is back in Iowa for one last rodeo. It was an easy decision for the Melbourne, Australia, native to return, seeking to finalize his career at Kinnick with a bang.
We are all so fortunate and excited to see Taylor don the black and gold one last time for the Hawkeyes, but saddened that his time in Iowa City will be coming to an end. He is a once in a generation type of player, and one we should all cherish this season.
One last time, here is a look at punter Tory Taylor.