Saints draft Vols CB Alontae Taylor 49th overall

JACKSONVILLE, FL – JANUARY 02: Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Alontae Taylor (2) celebrates during the game between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Tennessee Volunteers on January 2, 2020 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Posted: Apr 29, 2022 / 07:54 PM AST

Updated: Apr 29, 2022 / 07:54 PM AST

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LAS VEGAS, Nev. (WREG) — Tennessee Volunteers cornerback Alontae Taylor was drafted by the New Orleans Saints with the 49th overall pick.

With the 49th pick of the #NFLDraft, the #Saints select Tennessee CB Alontae Taylor!#SaintsDraft⚜️ @CoxComm pic.twitter.com/h8HLrJ6CXQ
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) April 30, 2022

According to NFL.com, Taylor was an All-Tennessee quarterback at Coffee County Central High School. He enrolled in Knoxville a semester early and moved to cornerback. He earned eight starts in 12 games in his first year (40 tackles, two pass breakups, two forced fumbles).

Taylor started six of 13 games the following season (33 tackles, one interception, three pass breakups) and then battled a hamstring injury throughout 2020 (29 tackles, two for loss, one interception, four pass breakups in eight games, five starts).

He started 12 games in 2021, setting career highs with 60 tackles, two interceptions (one returned for a score), and six pass breakups in 12 starts. Taylor opted out of the team’s bowl game to prepare for the NFL draft.