COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- A two-time All-Ohio Valley Conference selection, Robert Taylor ended his four-year career (1993-96) at Tennessee Tech as one of the program's best pass defenders, breaking a 24-year-old career mark in the process.
Taylor, a defensive back, surpassed John Fitzpatrick for the Golden Eagle career mark in interceptions, picking off 22 total passes in his career. His best season came as a senior as he pulled down nine in 1996, which stands as the third-best season in school history.
Taylor is one of four inductees into the 45th class of the Tennessee Tech Sports Hall of Fame. Along with Taylor, Milos Babic (men's basketball, 1987-90), Lee Byrd (track and field, 1965-68) and Katherine "Kappy" Lang Morin (volleyball, 2005-08) will be inducted during the annual Hall of Fame Dinner on Friday night at 6:30 p.m. at the Roaden University Center's Multipurpose Room. Tickets for the dinner are on sale by calling (931) 372-3940, visiting the Eblen Center ticket office or by visiting TTUsports.com.
He tied what was then a school record as he picked off three passes against Samford in 1996, equaling Fitzpatrick's three-interception game against Western Kentucky in 1972. Marty Jones broke the record in 2014, picking off four passes against Eastern Kentucky.
Taylor also tied the school record for passes defended with four in that same Samford contest, a stat that was later tied by Taron Ryce vs. Southeast Missouri in 2008 and James Huguely vs. EKU in 2014.
Taylor holds both the single-season and career records in the category, breaking up 20 passes in 1996 and 48 over the span of his career.
He was named to the All-OVC second team in 1995 after he recorded 39 total tackles (34 solo, five assisted), with two tackles for loss for 17 yards, six interceptions, 11 pass breakups and one sack.
Taylor was named to the All-OVC first-team roster the following year, recording 68 total tackles (50 solo, 18 assisted) with two TFL, nine interceptions and 20 pass breakups.
He ended his 44-game career with 185 total tackles, eight for-loss, 22 interceptions, 48 breakups and four sacks.
Taylor was named an All-American in 1996 by The Associated Press, The Sports Network and Walter Camp. He also received the Tech football team's highest honor, the Robert Hill Johnson Award, the same season.
He finished off his bachelor's degree from Tech in health and physical education.