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 (has a 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.

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

2006: Bothered in fall camp with a knee bruise (Aug. 13) … Suffered a pulled hamstring in practice before the Alabama game (Nov. 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 -- 8 MPH) … 34-inch vertical jump … 32 1/8-inch arm length … 9¾-inch hands … Right-handed.

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 Apr. 7, 1984 … Resides in Carrollton, Ala.