JAXUSL, the group dedicated to bringing USL professional soccer to Northeast Florida, has announced that Fred Taylor has joined its ownership team. A legendary University of Florida running back and former Jacksonville Jaguar, Taylor is trading the gridiron for the soccer pitch, joining fellow UF alumnus Tim Tebow on the pro soccer club’s ownership team.
Taylor played 11 of his 13 NFL seasons as a Jaguar and was inducted to the Pride of the Jaguars in 2012.
“I’m honored and delighted to welcome my friend and another Florida sports legend to our growing ownership team,” said Ricky Caplin, JAXUSL majority owner. “Fred joins us at a pivotal moment as we look forward to making several important announcements in the coming months on our progress to bring top-level men’s and women’s USL pro soccer to Northeast Florida.”
Along with his ownership stake in the soccer clubs, Taylor will serve as an ambassador for the USL expansion franchise as JAXUSL builds towards the launch of its men’s and women’s clubs in the USL Championship and USL Super League, a USL Youth Soccer Academy, and the development of a soccer-specific stadium and facilities.
“I’m pleased to have been invited to join Ricky and Tim on the JAXUSL ownership team,” said Taylor. “I’m extremely impressed with the club’s plans to elevate our community by bringing USL men’s and women’s pro soccer teams to Northeast Florida, along with their aspirations in working with city and county authorities on the First Coast to lift every voice by creating facilities and opportunities that will benefit all communities.”
A Semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024, Taylor owns Jaguars’ career records in rushing yards (11,271), attempts (2,428), consecutive 100-yard games (nine in 2000) and most rushing yards in a game (234). He is 17th on the NFL’s all-time rushing list with 11,695 yards.
Taylor’s 4.6 yards per carry ranks 32nd all time in the NFL — tied with Adrian Peterson and Hall of Famer Terrell Davis, and ahead of Hall of Famers Eric Dickerson (4.4), Walter Payton (4.4), Tony Dorsett (4.3), Marshall Faulk (4.3), LaDainian Tomlinson (4.3) and Earl Campbell (4.3).
Taylor is also a member of the University of Florida’s Athletic Hall of Fame (2010) and the Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame (2008).
Taylor joins Caplin and Tebow on the JAXUSL ownership group, as well as experienced professional soccer executive Steve Livingstone and local community innovator Tony Allegretti. Additionally, UF women’s soccer coaching legend Becky Burleigh leads JAXUSL’s efforts as a consultant to their women’s pro team.
Fans can register their interest in JAXUSL now by securing a season ticket deposit for $25 at jaxusl.com.
JAXUSL is the operating company formed to bring and develop men’s and women’s professional United Soccer League franchises to Northeast Florida. The company’s goal is to bring competitive USL Championship action to the First Coast by 2025-26, and to work with local authorities in the development of a 15,000-capacity community stadium and training facilities to host the club in Northeast Florida. For more information, go to jaxusl.com.
