Taylor regained his status among the Southeastern Conference's elite offensive performers his senior year at Auburn. After an injury-plagued 2005, Taylor rebounded to lead the Tigers in receptions and receiving yards as a senior, and dramatically improved his draft status in the process.

Taylor competed as a three-year starter at quarterback and cornerback at Carrollton High School. He collected 1,200 all-purpose yards passing and running, throwing for 10 touchdowns as a senior. On defense, he recorded 76 tackles and six interceptions, leading his team to 10-2 record. He also competed in track and won the state Class A high jump as a junior. Taylor was a talented basketball player who averaged more than 20 points and 10 rebounds as a senior. As a junior, he averaged 21 points, four assists and six rebounds.

Taylor enrolled at Auburn in 2002, spending the season on the scout team. He started five of 13 games in 2003, coming up with 34 receptions for 379 yards (11.1 avg), but did not have any touchdowns. He also recorded one solo tackle, earning All-Southeastern Conference Freshman team honors.

Taylor started the entire 2004 season at flanker, leading the team with 43 receptions for 737 yards (17.1 avg) and six touchdowns, earning All-SEC honorable mention. His 737 yards rank ninth on the school's single-season record list. He also gained 56 yards on three carries (18.7 avg) and registered three solo tackles.

Taylor was hampered most of the 2005 season by a nagging left high ankle sprain that forced him to miss the Western Kentucky game. He started only two games due to the injury, finishing the year with 23 catches for 288 yards (12.5 avg) and a touchdown. He completed his only pass attempt for a 28-yard score, rushed three times for 13 yards and recorded eight tackles (5 solos).

Taylor's senior year saw him return to his 2004 form, as he led the team with 54 catches for 704 yards (13.0 avg) and a pair of touchdowns, despite missing almost all of the Alabama game with a hamstring pull. He also proved to be a dangerous runner on the reverse, gaining 70 yards on eight carries (8.8 avg).

In 50 games at Auburn, Taylor started 33 times. He holds the school career record with 153 receptions and became only the fourth player in school history to gain more than 2,000 yards receiving, totaling 2,098 yards (13.9 avg) with nine touchdowns. He added 139 yards on 14 carries (9.9 avg) and completed one pass attempt for a 28-yard score. He also excelled on the coverage units, recording 12 tackles (nine solos).

Positives: Long-limbed athlete with the vertical leap and hand extension agility to reach and pluck the ball at its high point … Fluid athlete with the flexibility, agility and change of direction agility, along with good body control to adjust and contort his body to get to the off-target throws … Has generally reliable hands to snatch away from his frame, but can also secure by using his body when working inside … Shows keen field awareness and instincts which make him highly effective on sideline and hitch tosses … Solid competitor who plays until the whistle and will not hesitate to go up for the ball in a crowd … More quick than fast in his release, which makes him a better short area target than one to go deep, but he has the balance and plant-and-drive agility to get into his routes with little impedance from the jam … Uses his hands with good force to fight through the press and takes advantage of his size to run through tackles … Very sharp route runner who comes out of his breaks cleanly, demonstrating the body control to express and sell the route … Very effective third-down receiver who has the vision to locate the soft spot and settle underneath … Has the balance to turn upfield with no wasted steps after making the catch … Very effective playing with his back to the cornerback, as he is always alert to the quarterback, coming back quickly when the passer is pressured … Has the flexibility to make the shoestring grabs and the leaping ability and timing to get to the ball at its high point … Fluid open-field runner who can twist and contort to get to the off-target throws … Strong tackle breaker and a physical blocker who does a very good job of maintaining hand placement on the defender … Does a good job of using his hands to get a clean release off the line of scrimmage to defeat the jam … Precise in running all of his patterns, but is best in the short-to-intermediate area due to his ability to find the zone holes and get open when working underneath … Has the vision needed to set up the defender with moves to separate after the catch … Shows very good body control for a player his height (most tall receivers are high-cut), sinking his hips and showing the hip snap to come out of his breaks cleanly.

Negatives: Has a big frame, but lacks overall muscle tone (smooth skin) … Has only adequate playing speed and must rely on head fakes and his leg drive to break tackles, as he lacks the second gear to separate after the catch … Gets a good line release when he uses his hands, but shows no explosion coming off the snap … Best when used underneath or on controlled routes, as he does not have the acceleration needed to ride up on a defensive back to threaten a deep secondary … Has reliable hands, but is not a natural catcher, as he tends to let the ball absorb into his body and must maintain his concentration. Most of his drops come when he looks to run before securing the ball … Does not have the vertical speed to get to seam passes, despite doing a good job of catching the ball with his back to the defender … Needs to have space in order to gain valid yardage after the catch … Needs to concentrate on the path of the ball better, as he tends to get distracted when he hears the defender closing (bit of a flinch to him) … Has had a history of nagging injuries and durability is a concern.

Compares To: TRAVIS TAYLOR-Minnesota … If you want Courtney to get the yardage underneath, he will do so. However, if you think he will threaten the deep secondary, it won't happen. He has reliable, but not natural hands and his lack of quickness (does not play to timed speed) will limit him to controlled routes at the next level. He was not used much inside the red zone, as he tends to lose his concentration on the ball when working in a crowd.

In his last two seasons, Taylor caught 77 of the 123 passes thrown to him … He holds the school career record with 153 receptions, topping the old mark of 150 catches by Karsten Bailey (1995-98) … He became only the fourth player in school history to amass more than 2,000 yards receiving in a career (2,098), joining Terry Beasley (2,507 yards, 1969-71), Tyrone Goodson (2,283, 1993-97) and Bailey (2,174) … His 54 receptions in 2006 rank fifth on the school's all-time record list behind Willie Gosha (58 in 1995), Frank Sanders (58 in 1994), Ronney Daniels (56 in 1999) and Terry Beasley (55 in 1971) … His 737 yards receiving in 2004 rank ninth on Auburn's single-season record charts, surpassed only by Daniels (1,068 yards in 1999), Beasley (1,051 in 1970 and 846 in 1971), Sanders (910 in 1994 and 842 in 1993), Goodson (906 in 1997), Bailey (840 in 1997 and Freddy Weygand (796 in 1984) … Of the 123 passes thrown to him the last two seasons, 48 were good for first downs, as Taylor converted 19-of-42 third-down plays he was involved in and one other on fourth down … Twelve of his 77 receptions during that time frame were for 20 yards or longer.

All-Southeastern Conference honorable mention by The NFL Draft Report … Received the Pat Dye Leadership Award for the offense and the Most Improved Offensive Skill Player Award … Returned from an injury-plagued 2005 campaign to start all of the team's thirteen games, but missed most of the Alabama clash with a pulled hamstring … Still managed to lead the team with 54 receptions for 704 yards (13.0 avg) and two touchdowns … Rushed eight times for 70 yards (8.8 avg) … Of the 78 passes thrown to him, ten were deflected by the opposition … Produced 33 first downs among his 54 grabs, converting 14-of-27 third-down plays … Had nine receptions for 20 yards or longer … Made key catches that set up seven touchdown drives and six others that ended with field goals … The opposition recovered one of his two fumbles and Courtney was penalized twice.

Washington State … Courtney's first catch of the night, a 7-yarder in the first quarter, was the 100th reception of his career. He finished the day with three receptions for 51 yards and drew WSU into a pass interference penalty that set up a 12-yard touchdown run by tailback Brad Lester at the start of the fourth quarter … He was also tackled for a 1-yard loss on a second quarter reverse … Taylor talked about the team's passing game, saying,

"We didn't throw much tonight. The running game was on we and were clicking. We made some good plays. I don't think any of the receivers had any drops. It is a good performance to build on." … Head to Head Competition-CB#12-Tyron Brackenridge-Three tackles (2 solos), one pass deflection.

Mississippi State … QB Brandon Cox kept several Auburn drives alive with crucial completions on third down, usually to Taylor, who had nine catches for 103 yards. Six of his grabs resulted in first downs, as Courtney converted 3-of-5 third-down plays … He kept a first quarter drive alive with an 18-yard gain on a third-&-9 throw from Cox, but then dropped a third-&-18 throw later in the drive and the Tigers were forced to punt … He added a 13-yarder on a third-&-11 play midway through the second quarter and had a 14-yarder that set up an Auburn 55-yard field goal with 0:07 left in the first half … Taylor then converted a third-&-12 pass into a 13-yard gain in the third quarter … On the team's next drive, his 5 & 4-yard catches gave the team the field position needed for Rodgeriqus Smith's 20-yard touchdown grab that ended a 13-play, 79-yard drive … Record Watch-With

nine receptions for 103 yards, Courtney moved into sole possession of fifth place on Auburn's all-time receptions list with 111, and up one spot to eighth on Auburn's career receiving yards list with 1,548 … Taylor's nine receptions are the most by an Auburn player since Ronney Daniels had ten catches vs. Central Florida in 1999 … Head to Head Competition-CB#3-Derek Pegues-Four tackles (3 solos).

Louisiana State … Taylor was held to 22 yards on three catches and was also penalized for pass interference, nullifying his 21-yard catch in the fourth quarter … Courtney talked about LSU's defense after the game, stating, "Their defense played a great game. You can't take anything away from them. We pushed them hard. It was a catfight. We like to call it a catfight, but that's what we expected. We got our points and the defense made them stand up." … Head to Head Competition-CB#19-Jonathan Zenon-No tackles.

Buffalo … Taylor grabbed three passes for 48 yards, but was penalized for holding, negating a 10-yard run around left end by tailback Brad Lester in the second quarter … The Tigers' took advantage of the good field position by driving 60 yards in 11 plays with tailback Brad Lester going two yards for the score in the first quarter. The key play in the drive was a third-&-14 completion from Brandon Cox to Taylor … He also had an 11-yarder late in the second quarter that set up John Vaughn's 46-yard field goal as time expired in the first half … Head to Head Competition-CB#30-Mike Newton-Two assisted tackles.

South Carolina … Taylor was limited to two catches for 43 yards and carried once for a 1-yard gain … QB Brandon Cox had an 18-yard pass to Taylor, an 8-yarder to Robert Dunn on fourth-&-6 and a 25-yarder to Taylor on third-&-21 to set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Kenny Irons that capped a 13-play, 52-yard drive in the third quarter … Head to Head Competition-CB#8-Fred Bennett-Five tackles (4 solos), one pass deflection.

Arkansas … Courtney finished with five receptions, moving him into fourth place in Auburn history with 124 career receptions, passing Frank Sanders, who had 121 from 1991-94. He gained 33 yards on those five grabs, but lost two yards on a reverse in the second quarter, recovering the ball that he quickly recovered … He kept a late fourth quarter drive alive with a 9-yard gain on a third-&-9 pass from Brandon Cox down the left sideline … Head to Head Competition-CB#2-Chris Houston-One solo tackle, two pass deflections.

Florida … Taylor was held to 37 yards on five receptions, but two of those grabs were good for first downs … His 6-yard gain on a third-&-6 toss from Brandon Cox in the left flat set up John Vaughn's 31-yard field goal in the second quarter … He kept another second quarter drive alive with a 16-yard pickup on a third-&-6 pass into the right flat … Taylor talked after the game about the media questioning the wide receivers' play-making abilities, "People were telling us that we couldn't play. It was a tough loss last week and it is even tougher getting the number two team in the country the next week. We made the plays to get the win." … Head to Head Competition-CB#22-Reggie Lewis-No tackles (stopped Taylor from getting to two other passes and other Gator defenders deflected two passes intended for Courtney).

Tulane … Courtney scored for the first time in 2006, grabbing five passes for 63 yards and a pair of first downs, but he also turned the ball over once on a fumble … He kept the team's first drive alive with a 6-yard gain on a third-&-2 slant pass from Brandon Cox … He added a 25-yard catch in the second quarter, but failed to protect the ball and it was stripped from himby Davis Skehan, who recovered the pigskin at the Tulane 33 … The Tigers drove 87 yards and scored on Cox's 23-yard pass to Courtney for the receiver's first touchdown of the season, making it 31-10 in the third quarter … This was the third consecutive game that Taylor caught five passes … Talking about the passing game, Taylor stated, "We came out today and wanted to put an emphasis on throwing the ball and especially on being more efficient. Brandon [Cox] was excellent today and we were able to put together some passing plays. Because of our situation, all of our SEC games are big games. We are going on the road and it is going to be a hostile environment. We can't afford to let up." …

Head to Head Competition-CB#4-Israel Route-Two solo tackles.

Mississippi … Taylor finished with eight catches for a single-season high 108 yards. Six of his grabs were good for first downs, including two for longer than 20 yards … He twice dropped third-down tosses from Brandon Cox in the third quarter, but made up for those miscues with a 25-yard reception that set up a 6-yard touchdown run by Brad Lester that capped a 41-yard drive … His 15-yarder on the team's next third quarter drive gave the Tigers field position to kick a 31-yard field goal … Talking about his dropped passes, Courtney replied, "It's not like me to drop balls. Everybody knows that. We are all going to make mistakes, but I take great pride in what I do. I will be back after practice, catching that same route ten times after practice." … Record Watch- The 108 yards just missed his career-high of 111 yards receiving vs. Tennessee in the 2004 SEC Championship game … Taylor now has 142 career receptions, moving past Terry Beasley (141 from 1969-71) and Tyrone Goodson (136 from 1993-97) for second in Auburn history in career receptions, and now has 1,902 career receiving yards, passing Lawyer Tillman (1985-88) for sixth in school history in career receiving yards … Taylor has now had at least five receptions in four consecutive games. It marked the third time in his career he had at least 100 yards receiving and the second time this season (103 at Mississippi State) … Head to Head Competition-CB#28-Nate Banks-Five tackles (4 solos).

Arkansas State … Courtney had four catches for 116 yards, all in the first half, and became the fourth Auburn receiver with 2,000 career yards … He had catches of 41 and 57 yards to set up first-half field goals and also scored on a 13-yard toss into the right flat by Brandon Cox on the team's game-opening drive … "We moved the ball all over the field," Taylor said. "When you get in certain situations, you're jumping offsides and basically shooting yourselves in the foot." … Record Watch-Taylor finished with a career-high 116 receiving yards, marking his fourth career 100-yard receiving game and second in a row. Taylor's previous high was 109 yards in the 2004 SEC Championship game vs. Tennessee … Taylor, who had 108 yards receiving at Ole Miss, became the first Auburn player to have back-to-back 100-yard receiving games since Ronny Daniels in 1999, who had 143 vs. Central Florida and 249 vs. Georgia … Taylor's three 100-yard receiving games are the most in a single season by an Auburn player since Daniels had four in 1999 … Taylor passed Freddy Weygand (1984-88) and Frank Sanders (1991-94) for fourth in Auburn history with 2,018 career receiving yards … His four catches pushed his career total to 147, which is just three shy of the school career record of 150 set by Karsten Bailey (1995-98) … Taylor now has 47 catches this season, which ranks tied for ninth in Auburn history for most catches in a single season with Tim Christian (1968) … Head to Head Competition-CB#8-Domonique Williams-One solo tackle.

Georgia … Taylor caught only one ball for 10 vs. Georgia but made up for his lack of production through the air with two rushes for 51 yards, including a long run of 31 yards that set up a 34-yard touchdown pass from QB Brandon Cox to Rod Smith late in the third quarter … His second quarter 20-yard reverse over left end got the ball to the Georgia 21 and on the next play, Brad Lester broke free for a 21-yard scoring run with 4:00 left in the first half … Head to Head Competition-CB#8-Paul Oliver-Four solo tackles, a 6-yard sack, two stops for minus 9 yards, a 14-yard interception return.

Alabama … Taylor suffered a hamstring pull during practice leading up to the game … He was on the field for the team's first play from scrimmage, but then left the game and did not return.

Nebraska (Cotton Bowl) … The Auburn receiver returned from his hamstring injury to post six receptions for 70 yards, including a 21-yarder, and one rush for 3 yards … Early in the second quarter, Taylor made a leaping grab of a 12-yard pass from Brandon Cox that was downed at the NU 1 and on the next play, tailback Carl Stewart punched the ball into the end zone for a 1-yard score … Midway through the third quarter, the Tiger receiver went over the top of cornerback Cortney Grixby to snare a 21-yard sideline pass that set up an Auburn 42-yard field goal … Head to Head Competition-CB#2-Cortney Grixby-Three solo tackles, one pass deflection.

A preseason All-SEC first-team choice, Taylor was limited to eleven games, starting vs. Georgia Tech and Ball State, due to a nagging left high ankle sprain that forced him to sit out the Western Kentucky clash … The Biletnikoff Award nominee finished with 23 receptions for 288 yards (12.5 avg) and one touchdown … Fifteen of his catches were good for first downs, as he converted 5-of-15 third-down plays … Three of his grabs were for 20 yards or longer … He had five of the 45 passes thrown to him deflected by the opposition and twice drew the defense into pass interference penalties.

Posted two receptions and his first touchdown of the season vs. Wisconsin in the Capital One Bowl. His touchdown vs. the Badgers was a 9-yarder from Brandon Cox early in the fourth quarter … Caught two passes for 30 yards vs. Alabama … Threw his first career touchdown, a 28-yarder to Devin Aromashodu in the second quarter vs. Ole Miss, becoming the first AU receiver to do it since Tim Carter in 2000 vs. Florida. He also caught three passes for 39 yards vs. the Rebels … Posted four catches for 58 yards, including a single-season best 36-yard reception, vs. LSU … Returned to action vs. South Carolina, posting three receptions for 31 yards … Had a 19-yarder in the first quarter vs. the Gamecocks … Did not play vs. Western Kentucky due to a sprained left ankle … Caught a 16-yard pass in the first quarter vs. Ball State before leaving with a sprained left ankle … Caught six passes for 80 yards vs. Georgia Tech.

Earned Associated Press All-SEC honorable mention … Named the Most Improved Offensive Skill Player by the coaching staff … Courtney started thirteen games at flanker, leading the team with 43 receptions for 737 yards (ninth-best season total in school history) with six touchdowns (17.1 avg) … He added 56 yards on three carries (18.7 avg) with a long of 23 yards and registered three solo tackles on special teams.

Posted five catches for 87 yards vs. Virginia Tech in the Nokia Sugar Bowl. Four of his five receptions went for a first down … Marked a single-season high six catches for a career-best 111 yards vs. Tennessee in the SEC Championship game. Four of his six catches went for first downs. His first reception of the game came on Auburn's first offense play, a 56-yarder and also caught a 4-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter … Snared four catches, all for first downs for a career-high 89 yards including a 32-yard pass for Auburn's second touchdown vs. Alabama … Caught a 9-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter and finished with four catches for 73 yards vs. Ole Miss … Snared a 30-yard touchdown catch and finished with three receptions for 66 yards vs. Arkansas … Wrestled a catch out of a defender's arms on the opening drive to gain 14 yards and caught a 31-yard touchdown pass vs. Tennessee … Snared the game-winner and his first career touchdown on a 16-yard reception and led Auburn with five catches for 71 yards vs. LSU, earning the Coaches' Offensive Player of the Week award for his performance, as he also caught a 14-yard pass on 4th-&-12 on the game-winning drive … Caught a game-high three passes for 55 yards vs. Louisiana-Monroe.

Selected to the Freshman All-SEC teams by The Sporting News and coaches … Courtney started five of thirteen games and caught at least one pass in every contest … He finished second on the team with 34 catches for 379 yards (11.1 avg) and also recorded one solo tackle … Tied for the most catches (12) ever by an Auburn wide receiver in the first two games of a season … Had more catches in the first three games (15) than all but four players had in the entire season in 2002.

Led Auburn with seven catches for 83 yards including a single-season long 39-yard reception vs. Alabama … Snared two passes for 34 yards vs. both Louisiana-Monroe and Mississippi State … Finished with three catches for 34 yards vs. Vanderbilt … Led Auburn with eight catches for 73 yards vs. Georgia Tech … Started and caught four passes for 43 yards vs. South Carolina.

Redshirted as a freshman.

2005: Suffered a left high ankle sprain vs. Mississippi State (9/10) and re-injured it the following week vs. Ball State, sitting out the Western Kentucky game (9/24) … His injury would hamper him throughout the rest of the season.

2006: Bothered in fall camp with a knee bruise (8/13) … Suffered a pulled hamstring in practice before the Alabama game (11/18). Played the first snap from scrimmage before leaving that game for the rest of the day.

Campus: 4.62 in the 40-yard dash (wind-aided) … 4.66 40-yard dash (against the wind-8MPH) … 34-inch vertical jump … 32 1/8-inch arm length … 9 3/4-inch hands … Right-handed … 23/43 Wonderlic score.

Attended Carrollton (Ala.) High School, playing football for head coach Eddie Hankins … Competed as a three-year starter at quarterback and cornerback … Collected 1,200 all-purpose yards passing and running, throwing for 10 touchdowns as a senior … On defense, he recorded 76 tackles and six interceptions, leading his team to 10-2 record … Also competed in track and won the state Class A high jump as a junior … Averaged more than 20 points and 10 rebounds for the basketball team as a senior … As a junior, he averaged 21 points, four assists and six rebounds.

Business/Logistics Marketing major … Son of Mary and Joe Walker … Born 4/07/84 … Resides in Carrollton, Alabama.