Mason Taylor makes his mark at the 2025 NFL Combine.
Mason Taylor is stepping into his own spotlight. The LSU tight end carries a last name that belongs in Canton, but he’s proving that legacy means nothing without the work to back it up. At the 2025 NFL Combine, he stood out. His performance in on-field drills put him at the top of the tight end class, making it clear he belongs in the conversation as one of the best prospects this year.
Connections might open doors, but they don’t keep them open. Taylor knows that better than anyone. Just like his father and uncle, he’s building his future the only way that works—by putting in the work.
Mason Taylor comes from football royalty. His father, Jason Taylor, dominated the NFL as a defensive end for the Miami Dolphins, earning a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His uncle, Zach Thomas, followed a similar path, overcoming doubts about his size to become one of the best linebackers in NFL history.
Despite growing up in a football family, Mason Taylor wasn’t watching game film as a kid. His memories of his father’s playing days are different.
“My only memory when my dad was playing was messing around with my brother and sister in the suite or in the locker room tackling each other,” Taylor said at the NFL Scouting Combine. “Not much memory there, but just having him in my supportive group and my team and my family of course being supportive of me throughout the whole way throughout ups and downs has been huge.”
Taylor wasn’t forced into football, but it was always around him. He had access to insights that most prospects don’t. His father and uncle didn’t take the easy path to the NFL. Jason Taylor was overlooked in high school, landed at Akron, and fell to the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft. Zach Thomas was too small to be considered a top prospect, but he fought his way to the league as a fifth-round pick out of Texas Tech. Both ended up with gold jackets in Canton.
That journey shaped Mason Taylor’s mindset.
“Even my dad and my uncle, they both weren’t the highest recruited coming out of high school or college, and it just shows that there’s no shortcuts to the game,” Taylor said. “It’s all straight hard work and dedication, and seeing their work ethic… that’s what it takes to be on this next level.”
Mason Taylor didn’t participate in athletic testing at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, but he made an impression. His on-field drills were smooth, and his performance in the gauntlet drill was the best among tight ends. His ball skills and fluidity stood out.
“Had the best on-field drill performance of any player regardless of position,” ESPN’s Jordan Reid reported. Taylor’s stock is climbing, with some analysts projecting him as a top-50 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
He was just as dominant at the Senior Bowl, where he showcased his blocking and receiving ability. His footwork and hands separated him from the other tight ends in Indianapolis.
Rich Eisen and Daniel Jeremiah couldn’t hide their excitement as Taylor ran the gauntlet drill, making it look effortless. Analysts expected tight ends like Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland to be ranked ahead of him, but Taylor has entered the conversation as a potential first-rounder.
LSU’s offense leaned heavily on its star wide receivers, which limited Taylor’s opportunities. If he had been the focal point, his numbers might have matched the top tight ends in the draft. What sets him apart, though, is his blocking. He might be the best blocker in this class.
Taylor will have one final chance to boost his stock at LSU’s Pro Day, where he’ll take part in physical testing. A strong performance in the 40-yard dash and other drills could push him into the first-round conversation.
For now, Mason Taylor has done what his father and uncle did—put in the work and let his game speak for itself.
Read More: 2025 NFL Combine Day 2 Results: NFL Combine Winners and Losers
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