Trey Taylor’s Rise From Walk-On To Raider With A Mission Beyond The Field

People of the Year 2025 Spotlight: Trey Taylor

When you talk about grit, resilience, and impact, few stories in the NFL echo as loudly as Trey Taylor’s. A former walk-on with no guarantees and a list of injuries that might have deterred anyone else, Taylor has not only secured his spot with the Las Vegas Raiders but also solidified himself as one of Deluxe Version Magazine’s 2025 *People of the Year*. Not just for his breakout rookie season, but for the legacy he’s already building off the gridiron.

“I credit the work ethic that was instilled in me, as well as my constant yearning to improve myself on and off the field,” Taylor says. “I utilized almost all of the resources I had possible in order to come back from injury and still make an impact on the team my rookie year.”

His NFL story isn’t the polished path of a five-star recruit. It’s the story of an underdog, trained with military precision at the U.S. Air Force Academy, and pushed through setbacks that would have ended other careers. In a league that values measurable speed, size, and stats, Taylor’s defining attribute is something less tangible: *character*.

But football is only one facet of his ambition.

“The biggest way I look to leverage my position as an NFL athlete is by using the platform I’ve been given to network and bring together different groups of people from all walks of life,” he explains. “People with similar drive and work ethic to make impacts in the community.”

That community-first mentality has already taken shape in Las Vegas. Taylor serves as an ambassador for Athlete’s Village, regularly volunteers with Friendship Circle Las Vegas, and participates in local outreach to feed the homeless. It’s more than charity. It’s presence, it’s consistency, and it’s deeply personal.

“I want to be a beacon of light and hope to a community that doesn’t see it all that often,” he says. “Not just through words, but by showing up.” 

That sense of leadership isn’t confined to community events or locker room speeches. It’s baked into Taylor’s core. One of the most defining moments of his leadership came off the field while still at the Air Force Academy.

“There was a teammate who was possibly in the wrong,” he recalls. “But I went out on a limb to ensure their stability on the team for them and their family. It put me at risk to lose everything I had worked for. But being able to see him move past that situation and turn it into a success story, that was real leadership.”

Taylor’s long-term vision is equally bold. Like many of today’s athlete-entrepreneurs, he’s setting his sights on building wealth and opportunity outside of sports.

“I’m extremely interested in real estate, consulting, contracting, franchise ownership. Really anything that allows me to be social as well as lead a team to what we deem as success.”

That blend of entrepreneurial spirit, grounded values, and relentless drive is exactly why Taylor is someone to watch. Not just as a rising star in the NFL, but as a changemaker with influence far beyond the end zone.

For the Las Vegas Raiders, he’s more than a safety on the field. He’s a safe bet for the future of leadership, both in sport and in service.