Jerry Taylor (2011) - Southern Miss M-Club Hall of Fame

Jerry Taylor

Induction:
2011

Jerry Taylor (Football, 1952-1956 & Men's Track & Field, 1953-56)
Taylor was an outstanding two-way end for Coach Thad (Pie) Vann from 1954 to 1956 and is considered to be one of the best two-sport athletes in school history. He had a successful career at Columbia (Miss.) High School where he earned 15 letters in four different sports before coming to Southern Miss. At USM during the 1954 season he caught five passes for a 20.8 yard average and scored a pair of touchdowns. In 1955 he caught five passes for a17.0 yard average and two touchdowns, while in 1956 he led the team in receiving with 17 catches for a 16.7 yard average and five touchdowns. For his career Taylor caught 27 passes for a 17.5 yard average and 9 touchdowns. He was a standout. On defense and was a part of a 7-2 victory over Alabama during the 1954 season. The teams that he was a part of had a record of 22-7-1, including a 9-1 mark in 1955. The 1956 team that he played on went to the Tangerine Bowl. He was a four-year letterman in track and field where is specialty was the pole vault. Following his college career he became a successful high school teacher and administrator.