Post-OSU Update: Taylor Decker was the 16th overall pick (1st round) of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. He has played his entire career with the Lions and has started every game of his career. (updated: Dec. 2023)

Major: Animal Sciences (2015), Zoology (2013-14)

Weight: 315 (2013-15), 310 (2012)

2015 Media Guide: Taylor Decker is the leader of an offensive line that has been one of the best in college football over his two seasons as a starter and, according to Ohio State coaches, expect this mammoth, animal sciences major to contend for national honors and major awards as a senior in 2015 … a first-team preseason All-American by The Sporting News and Athlon Sports and second-team by Phil Steele (so far) … Decker is also a high-character individual and one of the most conscientious men on the squad … after hearing Decker speak one day following the terrible news surrounding a fallen teammate, one media member said Decker “handled himself with incredible poise with probably 50 media members crowded around him looking for answers about Kosta Karageorge, and he patiently addressed them all with thoughtful, insightful responses that were incredibly helpful in painting a clearer picture of a player hardly any of us knew in any way” … his leadership is also represented in the fact he is a three-time “Iron Buckeye” award winner, which is awarded to six players bi-annually for unquestioned physical training dedication, determination, discipline, toughness and leadership … one of
the most experienced offensive linemen in the country, Decker has played in all 41 of Ohio State’s games the past three seasons and totaled over 2,300 offensive snaps.

2014: Decker started all 15 games at left tackle and earned second-team all-Big Ten Conference honors by both the coaches and the media voters … helped pave the way for Ohio State rushers to gain 3,967 yards on the ground, the second-highest total in school history, and rank eighth nationally with over 264 yards per game … the 2014 Buckeye offense also set school records for touchdowns (90), points scored (637), passing yards (3,707) and passing touchdowns (42) this year … Decker logged 1,034 offensive plays, including a personal best 107 vs. Cincinnati and 85 against Oregon in the national championship game.

2014 Media Guide: Taylor Decker has been surrounded by four experienced and smart offensive lineman the past two years – on the field, in team meeting rooms, game day, etc. – and now it’s Taylor’s turn to lead the linemen … all four of his starting linemates last year have graduated, but not before educating Decker on the qualities of being a really fine offensive lineman … the most experienced lineman on the team, Decker has played in all 26 games the past two seasons and has a season-worth of starts at right tackle to his credit … a zoology major, Decker spent the May academic session of 2014 as in intern with the world famous Columbus Zoo … he is an Academic All-Big Ten honoree and an OSU Scholar-Athlete.

2013: Decker started all 14 games and was part of an offensive line that helped the Buckeyes’ record-setting offense to a ranking of fifth nationally in rushing (308.6 yards per game) while shattering school records for points scored (637), touchdowns (87) and touchdown passes (38) … he played more snaps from scrimmage – 941 – than every other offensive player and he ranked fifth on the team in total plays … he had games of 92 plays on offense vs. California and 76 vs. both Michigan State and Clemson, respectively.

2013 Media Guide: Taylor is seeking to replace NFL Draft pick Reid Fragel (7th round; Cincinnati Bengals) as the Buckeyes’ starting right tackle … he enrolled at Ohio State in March 2012 and in time for the start of the 2012 spring drills, so he has now been through two springs with the team … he played in all 12 games for the undefeated Buckeyes in 2012, mostly on special teams … he did earn snaps from the line of scrimmage in four games, including 22 offensive plays against Illinois … he earned his first Varsity O letter in 2012.

2012 Media Guide: Taylor enrolled at Ohio State in March 2012 and in time for the start of the 2012 spring drills … he came out of those drills battling for the starting position at right tackle with senior Reid Fragel.

High School: He was a three-year starter at tackle for Vandalia Butler and a three-year letterman in basketball, and he was good enough on the hardwood to draw interest from mid-majors … this past season he helped the Aviators to a 6-4 record on the gridiron, the school’s first winning record in eight
years, and he was named first-team Division II all-state by the Associated Press … he was rated the
No. 23 offensive tackle in the nation by Rivals.com and a four-start prospect by the site … also rated
the No. 77 player nationally and the No. 7 senior in the state of Ohio in 2011 by Scout.com (No. 14 by Rivals.com) … a member of the Rivals 250.

Personal: A fine student, Taylor is enrolled in a pre-exercise science tract at Ohio State … he is the son of Ron and Sheila Decker.