New Jersey native named to FWAA Freshman All-America Team

When Jonathan Taylor left Salem, NJ to continue his education and football career at the University of Wisconsin, even he probably couldn’t expect the on-field success to come so quickly. Well, quick success is exactly what happened, leading to a tremendous season for the Badgers true freshman running back.

Taylor was named to the 17th annual Football Writers Association of America Freshman All-America Team, announced Monday.

In his first collegiate game, September 1, 2017,  Taylor ran for 87 yards on just nine carries against Utah State. On average, that’s nearly ten yards per carry. He also scored his first collegiate touchdown. The freshman was just getting started.

In Wisconsin’s second game this season, against Florida Atlantic, Taylor ran all over the Owls, completing his first 200+ yard rushing game. He finished the contest with 223 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries. That’s just over 8.5 yards per carry. The three touchdowns was a season high.

Taylor had his best game on October 7 on the road in Nebraska. Against the Cornhuskers, Taylor ran for a career high 249 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries. All in just his second ever Big Ten conference game.

There was no slowing down the New Jersey native. On the season, Taylor recorded ten games of over 100 yards rushing. He was over 200 yards in three games.

In the final game of the season, Taylor ran for 130 yards on 26 carries in a 34-24 win over #11 Miami in the Capital One Orange Bowl on December 30.

Taylor was the Big Ten rushing leader with 1977 yards. That total was the third highest in the country in the 2017-18 season. He averaged 141.2 rushing yards per game.