
KELVIN TAYLOR
Position: Running back
College: Florida
Height: 5 foot 10 1/4
Weight: 207 pounds
Selection: Sixth round, No. 211 overall
SANTA CLARA -– Kelvin Taylor grew up quickly as a running back.
He watched his dad, Fred Taylor, become the 16th leading rusher in NFL history while with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Before that, Taylor played varsity football as an eighth-grader and surpassed Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith as Florida’s all-time leading prep rusher as a junior.
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“I watched a lot of film of Emmitt, my father, Frank Gore,” Taylor said on Saturday after the selected the Florida running back in the sixth round.
When asked to name his favorite running back, Taylor answered, "That's a no-brainer. I have to say my father."
Taylor comes to the 49ers looking to earn a spot behind presumptive starter Carlos Hyde. Taylor will compete with Shaun Draughn, Jarryd Hayne, Mike Davis, Kendall Gaskins and DuJuan Harris for a role.
“I feel like I’m a great back and I just feel like I’m a back who can do it all,” Taylor said on a conference call with Bay Area reporters. “I feel like I’m an every down back, and I want to get out there in camp and start making plays. I’m very thankful and blessed for this opportunity.”
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Taylor finished his college career with the Gators with a strong season. He rushed for 1,035 yards and 13 touchdowns on 259 rushing attempts. He also caught 17 passes for 150 yards.
Taylor said he met with the 49ers at the NFL Scouting Combine. The Raiders, Atlanta and Green Bay showed the most interest in him, he said, with the Packers placing multiple phone calls to him on Saturday.