The Chicago Bears weren’t short on surprises in the 2024 NFL draft. After grabbing their quarterback at #1 and a blue-chip weapon at #9, GM Ryan Poles decided to get a little crazy. Never was that clearer than when he used the 4th round pick from Philadelphia to select Iowa punter Tory Taylor. It was a shock to fans, many of whom felt pass rusher was a far greater need. However, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune later reported that Poles did it because there was no way Taylor would make it to the 5th round. The Bears felt they needed an upgrade at the position, and Taylor was by far the best in the class.
He is also one of the most interesting stories. Taylor was born in Melbourne, Australia. He attended high school at Haileybury, a location renowned for producing future soccer players. Taylor broke the mold by becoming the first graduate to try his hand at American Football. He committed to Iowa, where he had a stellar four-year career, making All-American and averaging 48.2 yards per punt in his final season. His 4,479 yards is an NCAA record. Yet all of that pales in comparison to the elite nickname he brings with him.
The Crocodile Punter.
For those who somehow didn’t get the connection, this nickname is a direct nod to the late Steve Irwin, the iconic “Crocodile Hunter.” Arguably the greatest animal rights activist in history. He was universally beloved by everybody who watched or worked with him. His untimely death made him a few years ago was one of the great tragedies of this century. It is unquestionably epic that an Australian punter fashioned his nickname after one of his country’s greatest citizens. It just fits. There is no other way to put it.
One thing is for sure. If Tory Taylor lives up to his reputation, he will become a legend in Chicago. No city treats its specialists with more respect and reverence. Kevin Butler, Robbie Gould, and Brad Maynard still have fans talking about them to this day. Taylor is more talented than all of them. He’s also highly experienced. This isn’t an unknown from a faraway land getting a tryout. Taylor is battle-tested and more than ready for the pros. Unfortunately, Trenton Gill couldn’t take a step forward last year, but that is the nature of the NFL.
