AKRON, Ohio— Former University of Akron football player Jason Taylor (1993-96) has been named a finalist for the 2017 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.
The class of 2017 will be elected on Feb. 4, the day before the Super Bowl in Houston. Inductions will be Aug. 5 in Canton.
A defensive end, Taylor was one of the NFL's top pass-rushers for 15 seasons. Drafted in the third round by the Miami Dolphins in 1997, he played 13 seasons with Miami, and one season each with the Washington Redskins, and the New York Jets. A six-time Pro Bowl selection and four time 1st or 2nd team All-Pro, Taylor was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2006, and also named the Walter Peyton Man of the Year in 2007.