Shakial Taylor


Shakial Taylor is an American football cornerback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He played college football for the Kansas Jayhawks.

College career

Taylor began his collegiate career at South Dakota State, playing for one year before transferring to Mesa Community College. In his only year at Mesa, Taylor broke up 18 passes with an interception and 42 total tackles. He transferred to the University of Kansas for his final two seasons of eligibility over offers from Arizona State, Memphis, UNLV, New Mexico, and Middle Tennessee State. In his first season with the Jayhawks, Taylor started the first nine games of the season before suffering season-ending injury and made 22 tackles with six pass-breakups. As a senior, Taylor recorded 47 tackles, three interceptions, seven passes defensed and two forced fumbles.

Professional career

Indianapolis Colts

Taylor signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent on May 7, 2019. Despite having a great preseason & training camp, he was waived due to a concussion injury at the final cuts of training camp. Taylor took an injury settlement and couldn’t sign back with the Colts until week 5. He was re-signed in week 5 to the team's practice squad.
He was promoted to the active roster on October 5, 2019. Taylor made his NFL debut on October 6, 2019 against the Kansas City Chiefs, making one tackle and breaking up a pass. He was waived on November 25, 2019.

Denver Broncos

On November 26, 2019, Taylor was claimed off waivers by the Denver Broncos.
Taylor signed a one-year exclusive-rights free agent tender with the Broncos on April 18, 2020. He was waived on July 27, 2020.

New York Giants

On July 28, 2020, Taylor was claimed off waivers by the New York Giants.

Personal life

Taylor is the nephew of NFL cornerback Robert Nelson.