On Saturday, the Chicago Bears confirmed the signing of their fourth-round draft selection, Tory Taylor.
Taylor, a standout punter from the University of Iowa, was recognized as the top punter in college football last season. He earned first-team All-American honors and received the Ray Guy Award. Additionally, he set the NCAA record for the most punting yards in a single season with 4,479 yards.
Taylor also holds the NCAA record for the highest career punting average at 46.3 yards and ranks fifth all-time with a total of 13,657 punting yards.
Standing at 6’4” and weighing 223 pounds, the Melbourne, Australia native is known for his powerful leg and exceptional ability to place punts deep within the opponent’s territory.
During his freshman year, he was named the Big Ten Punter of the Year after successfully placing 18 punts inside the twenty-yard line. He continued this impressive performance in the following two seasons, placing 38 punts inside the twenty each year. His remarkable 2023 season saw him average 48.2 yards across 93 punts, with 32 of those landing inside the twenty.
Chicago’s special teams coordinator, Richard Hightower, noted that it is “rare” to find a player who combines such strength and precision, describing Taylor as “as good as advertised.”
#Bears Tory Taylor is booming punts! pic.twitter.com/SHT63GFTzz
— 2nd City Gridiron (@2ndCityGridiron) May 11, 2024
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