2026 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Taylen Blaylock, S, Furman University

• Name: Taylen Blaylock
• Position: Safety
• College: Furman University
• Height: 5’10
• Weight: 200
• Twitter: TayBlay20
• Instagram: tayblay_

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2026 NFL Draft? 

• I think I am the complete package of what you look for in a safety. I can run, I move very well, I will come down and hit and tackle very well. I can cover any position on the field at an efficient level, I have great instincts, but most importantly, I am smart and I am super coachable. I know what the offense is going to do before they do it because I am a student of the game. 

What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?

• One thing NFL teams should know about me is that I am a team player. Whatever teams need me to do, I am going to bust my butt doing it, and make everybody else around me better in the process. 

If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be? 

• World hunger 

Who was your role model? 

• My dad was and still is my role model. He made it to the level I am trying to make it to, so I soak up any information he has for me. Just watching how he raised me and my siblings and how he led our family and treated my mom I was blessed to have somebody to look up to like him. 

Who is your favorite NFL team?

• Washington Commanders

Who is the most underrated teammate at your school? 

• AK Burrell. Hands down. He came off of a pretty serious injury last season and to see the way he performed this year I always applaud him for that. He is a baller, and when he gets 100% healthy he is going to be one of the best players in the nation.  

What is your biggest pet peeve? 

• When people smack their food 😂

Who is your favorite teacher ever?

• I’ve had a lot of great teachers in my life, but I would have to say my favorite is Dr. Katrina Hutchins. I took one of her classes at Furman and it was the most impactful classes I have ever taken. The way she actually cared about us as people and not just students in a class stood out the most. 

Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome? 

• All of the injuries I have been through were pretty hard to overcome, and at times more mentally than physically. I think a lot of people that were put in my position would have gave up. My faith is important to me, so I just put my trust in God that he knew what he was doing and just put my head down and attacked rehab. I learned to be resilient, no matter what came my way I was going to overcome it, and I think that for sure separates me from other people in the same position as me. 

If you could have any franchise restaurant in your house what would it be?

• Chick fil a for sure. 

What is your favorite snack food? 

• Honey buns 

What is your degree in? 

• Communications 

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why? 

1. Druski for the entertainment 
2. Jerry Rice because he is one of the greatest players every with the best work ethic 
3. Michael Jackson because hes the greatest artist 

What is your biggest weakness?

• Thinking too far ahead. I have been getting better at just living in the moment and being where my feet are.