Jake Taylor

Duke tight end Jake Taylor runs after making a catch during the Blue Devils' 45-21 victory at Cal on October 4, 2025.

Photo by: Duke Athletics

Jake Taylor runs after making a catch at Wake Forest.

Photo by: Duke Athletics

Jake Taylor jumps and catches a pass against SMU.

Photo by: Duke Athletics

Jake Taylor leans down on the field against SMU.

Photo by: Duke Athletics

Jake Taylor waits for a snap against UNC.

Photo by: Duke Athletics

Photo by: Duke Athletics

Position:
Tight End
Height:
6-5
Class:
Redshirt Senior
Hometown:
Apex, N.C.

2026: Returning tight end … 2025 Academic All-ACC selection … in 32 career games (six starts), has recorded 14 receptions for 108 yards (7.71) … with Duke’s tight end group riddled by injuries in 2024, took over starting duties for the second half of the season ... owns 3+ receptions in two games with a career-high five at Wake Forest in 2024 ... surpassed 20+ receiving yards once, at Wake Forest (40) in 2024 ... has played 636 career snaps.

2025: Academic All-ACC honoree … saw action in 13 games, missing just the NC State contest … caught two passes for 20 yards (10.00) … hauled in a year-long 16-yard catch at California and added a four-yard grab versus Georgia Tech ... on the field for 146 snaps.

2024: Recipient of the team's Duke Tough Award, which is presented annually to the football student-athlete who personifies the physical and mental toughness required to be a Blue Devil ... saw action in all 13 games (six starts), registering 11 receptions for 74 yards (6.73) … with the tight end group ravaged by injuries, stepped into starting role in the second half of the season ... carded 2+ receptions twice ... excelled down the stretch, registering eight receptions for 52 yards in his final two games, at Wake Forest and versus Ole Miss in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl ... recorded a season-high five receptions for 40 yards against Wake Forest … earned a season-long 14-yard reception versus SMU ... on the field for 454 snaps.

2023: Played in six games against Lafayette, Connecticut, Notre Dame, NC State, Florida State and Louisville … registered one reception for 14 yards (14.00) against Lafayette … on the field for 36 snaps … transitioned from tight end to wide receiver during the fall.

2022: Did not see game action.

PRIOR TO DUKE: Lettered three seasons at Cardinal Gibbons under head coach Steven Wright … rated a three-star prospect by ESPN.com, 247Sports.com and Rivals.com … listed as the No. 30 tight end in the country by ESPN.com … ranked as the No. 31 and No. 34 prospect from the state of North Carolina by ESPN.com and 247Sports.com, respectively … recorded 35 receptions for 577 yards with eight TDs in 22 games … helped Cardinal Gibbons to a 35-6 record, including the 2021 4A state championship … an NCPreps.com First Team All-State and Cap 6 all-conference selection ... honorary captain … also lettered in basketball and track & field.

PERSONAL: Majoring in sociology while minoring in psychology and pursuing a certificate in markets and management … son of Jeff and Stacie Taylor … father lettered three seasons in football (1991-92, 95) at Slippery Rock University … uncle, Mike Steinbaugh, played nose guard at Duke (1996-97-98-99) … sister, Makenzie, played one season of volleyball at NC State (2020).