Jonathan Taylor: Chiefs, High School, Running Back, Draft and Age

Jonathan Taylor remains one of the Indianapolis Colts’ most important offensive players. The veteran running back has built his NFL career around explosive rushing ability, consistency and big-play potential.

Taylor entered the NFL after a remarkable college career at Wisconsin. The Colts selected him in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, and he has since established himself as one of the league’s leading running backs.

His latest performance against the Kansas City Chiefs again showed why Indianapolis relies heavily on him in the running game. Here is everything to know about Jonathan Taylor, including his Chiefs performance, high school background, running back position, NFL Draft selection and age.

Jonathan Taylor vs Chiefs

Jonathan Taylor faced the Kansas City Chiefs in the Colts’ Week 2 matchup of the 2026 NFL season.

Indianapolis eventually lost the game 33-30 in overtime, but Taylor was a major part of the Colts’ offensive production. He finished with 92 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns on 24 carries. He also added four receptions for 40 yards.

Taylor’s performance was particularly important because the Colts were able to consistently use their running game against Kansas City. His two rushing touchdowns helped Indianapolis stay in a competitive game that went all the way to overtime.

The Chiefs ultimately won when Harrison Butker converted a 40-yard field goal as time expired in overtime. Kansas City running back Kenneth Walker III also had a strong game, recording 117 rushing yards and 61 receiving yards.

For Taylor, the game continued his role as Indianapolis’ primary rushing option.

Who Is Jonathan Taylor?

Jonathan Taylor is an NFL running back for the Indianapolis Colts. He wears No. 28 and has spent his entire professional career with Indianapolis.

The Colts list Taylor at 5-foot-10 and 226 pounds. He played college football at the University of Wisconsin before entering the NFL Draft in 2020. The Colts currently list him at 27 years old.

Taylor is known for his combination of speed, acceleration, vision and power. He can produce through the middle of the offensive line while also having the speed to turn a crease into a long touchdown.

His versatility also extends to the passing game. Over his NFL career, he has been used as a receiver out of the backfield, giving Indianapolis another way to put the football in his hands.

Jonathan Taylor High School

Jonathan Taylor attended Salem High School in Salem, New Jersey.

His high school career provided an early indication of his potential as a football player. According to Wisconsin Athletics, Taylor finished his high school career with 4,642 rushing yards and 51 total touchdowns.

As a senior, Taylor rushed for an extraordinary 2,815 yards and scored 35 rushing touchdowns. He also earned first-team all-state recognition.

Taylor was not only a football standout. He was also an accomplished track athlete. He won New Jersey Meet of Champions titles in the 100 meters during both his junior and senior seasons.

His speed on the track became an important part of his football profile. Taylor’s ability to accelerate in the open field eventually became one of his biggest strengths at Wisconsin and in the NFL.

Jonathan Taylor College Career

Taylor played college football at the University of Wisconsin from 2017 through 2019.

He made an immediate impact as a freshman. In his first season, Taylor rushed for 1,977 yards and 13 touchdowns on 299 carries.

He followed that with another outstanding campaign in 2018, rushing for 2,194 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Taylor finished his Wisconsin career with another 2,003 rushing yards in 2019. Across three seasons, he accumulated 6,174 rushing yards on 926 carries, averaging 6.67 yards per carry. He also scored 50 rushing touchdowns.

Those numbers made Taylor one of the most productive running backs in college football history.

Wisconsin notes that Taylor became the seventh player in FBS history to reach 6,000 rushing yards and the first to accomplish the feat in only three seasons. He also became the third FBS player with multiple 2,000-yard rushing seasons.

Jonathan Taylor NFL Draft

Jonathan Taylor was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Colts traded up to the 41st overall pick to select Taylor. Indianapolis sent the Cleveland Browns the 44th and 160th overall selections in exchange for the 41st pick.

Taylor was the first running back selected by Indianapolis in that draft.

At the time of his selection, Taylor was 21 years old. The Colts highlighted his remarkable Wisconsin production, including 6,174 rushing yards and 50 rushing touchdowns over three college seasons.

His draft selection ultimately gave Indianapolis a powerful offensive weapon who could contribute immediately.

Jonathan Taylor NFL Career

Taylor quickly became one of the NFL’s most productive running backs.

During his rookie season in 2020, he rushed for 1,169 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also caught 36 passes for 299 yards and one receiving touchdown.

His breakout season came in 2021.

Taylor rushed for 1,811 yards and 18 touchdowns while averaging 5.4 yards per carry. He also caught 40 passes for 360 yards and two touchdowns.

That season established him as one of the NFL’s premier running backs.

Taylor has dealt with injuries and missed games during subsequent seasons, but he has remained an important part of the Colts offense.

Jonathan Taylor 2025 Season

Taylor entered the 2026 season after an impressive 2025 campaign.

In 17 games during the 2025 season, he recorded 323 rushing attempts for 1,585 yards and 18 rushing touchdowns. He averaged 4.9 yards per carry and also caught 46 passes for 378 yards and two touchdowns.

His 18 rushing touchdowns were especially notable because they matched the touchdown total from his 2021 breakout season.

Taylor’s production helped establish him as one of the central players in Indianapolis’ offense entering 2026.

Jonathan Taylor 2026 Stats

The Colts’ current player statistics list Taylor with 98 rushing yards on 19 carries and two touchdowns in the 2026 season, along with three receptions for 23 yards.

However, the Colts’ page appears not to have incorporated the complete statistics from the most recent Kansas City game. Reuters’ game report confirms that Taylor finished the Chiefs matchup with 92 rushing yards on 24 carries and two rushing touchdowns, plus 40 receiving yards on four receptions.

Because statistics can be updated after games, readers should use the NFL and Colts’ official statistical pages for the latest season totals.

What Position Does Jonathan Taylor Play?

Jonathan Taylor plays running back (RB).

His primary responsibility is carrying the football from the backfield, but he can also contribute as a receiver.

Taylor’s size and speed make him capable of handling different rushing concepts. He can run between the tackles, attack the edges and create explosive plays when he finds open space.

The Colts continue to use him as a central part of their offensive game plan.

How Old Is Jonathan Taylor?

Jonathan Taylor is 27 years old, according to the Indianapolis Colts’ current player profile.

He was born on January 19, 1999, and entered the NFL at 21 after leaving Wisconsin following his junior season.

His age places him in the veteran stage of his NFL career, but his production has continued to make him a major part of the Colts offense.

Jonathan Taylor Career Rushing Statistics

Taylor has produced significant numbers since entering the NFL.

Through the statistics listed by the Colts, his career totals include thousands of rushing yards and more than 70 rushing touchdowns. His best single-season rushing performance came in 2021, when he recorded 1,811 yards and 18 touchdowns.

NFL Rushing Highlights

These figures demonstrate how Taylor has remained productive across different seasons and offensive circumstances.

Why Jonathan Taylor Is Important to the Colts

Taylor gives Indianapolis a proven rushing threat who can influence how opposing defenses approach the offense.

When Taylor is running effectively, defenses must account for his ability to produce explosive plays. His receiving ability also allows the Colts to keep him involved when the offense moves away from traditional running plays.

His performance against Kansas City demonstrated that role again. Taylor scored two rushing touchdowns and finished with 132 total yards from rushing and receiving.

The Colts ultimately lost the game in overtime, but Taylor remained one of the most productive players on Indianapolis’ side.

NFL.com also included Taylor among its Tier 2 running backs in its 2026 fantasy football rankings, highlighting his potential for another highly productive season.

Jonathan Taylor: Age, High School, Draft and Position

Jonathan Taylor’s football journey began at Salem High School in New Jersey before he became one of the most productive running backs in Wisconsin history.

He entered the NFL as the 41st overall pick in the 2020 Draft after an extraordinary college career. Since then, he has developed into a centerpiece of the Indianapolis Colts offense.

At 27 years old, Taylor remains a major contributor for Indianapolis. His latest performance against Kansas City, which included two rushing touchdowns, showed his continued importance to the Colts’ offense.

FAQs About Jonathan Taylor

What position does Jonathan Taylor play?

Jonathan Taylor plays running back for the Indianapolis Colts.

What high school did Jonathan Taylor attend?

Jonathan Taylor attended Salem High School in Salem, New Jersey.

When was Jonathan Taylor drafted?

The Indianapolis Colts selected Jonathan Taylor in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the 41st overall pick.

How old is Jonathan Taylor?

Jonathan Taylor is 27 years old, according to his current Colts profile.

How did Jonathan Taylor perform against the Chiefs?

Taylor rushed for 92 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries against Kansas City and added 40 receiving yards on four catches.

Where did Jonathan Taylor play college football?

Taylor played college football at the University of Wisconsin.

How many rushing yards did Jonathan Taylor have at Wisconsin?

Taylor finished his Wisconsin career with 6,174 rushing yards and 50 rushing touchdowns.

Conclusion

Jonathan Taylor has built an impressive football career from Salem High School to Wisconsin and eventually the Indianapolis Colts. His production at Wisconsin made him a highly regarded NFL prospect, and Indianapolis moved up to the 41st overall pick to select him in 2020.

Now 27, Taylor continues to serve as a key running back for the Colts. His performance against the Chiefs, featuring 92 rushing yards and two touchdowns, provided another example of his importance to Indianapolis’ offense.