He played college football at South Carolina, and was selected by the Detroit Lions in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL draft.

Taylor earned recognition as the SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week in his first career college football game against NC State.

[2] In his first career college snap, Taylor forced a fumble that was recovered by the Gamecocks, which led to the only touchdown of the game.

He scored a touchdown on a 24-yard interception return at Tennessee, which coupled with two fumble recoveries earned him recognition as SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week.

[3] Taylor, along with teammates Alshon Jeffery and Marcus Lattimore, was a first-team selection for the 2010 Associated Press All-SEC team.

[8][9] On December 3, 2015, Taylor was involved in a controversial penalty call, where he was flagged for a face mask on Aaron Rodgers.

[14] Taylor recorded his first sack in the startup league in a Week 3 victory against the Atlanta Legends, forcing a fumble in the process.

[19] As a result, he was named to the league's midseason awards team,[20] as well as being one of the highest graded pass rushers by Pro Football Focus.

Taylor stated he never met Frazier before his death, but in 2011 he said, "I've heard a bunch of different stories and stuff growing up from my mom and aunts who knew him".