Teez Tabor

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Jalen "Teez" Tabor (born December 31, 1995) is an American professional football safety who is a free agent. He played college football at Florida, and was selected in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions.

Teez Tabor
refer to caption
Tabor with the Atlanta Falcons in 2022
Personal information
Born: (1995-12-31) December 31, 1995 (age 28)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:201 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school:Friendship Collegiate Academy
(Washington, D.C.)
College:Florida (2014–2016)
Position:Safety
NFL draft:2017 / round: 2 / pick: 53
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:59
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

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Tabor attended Friendship Collegiate Academy in Washington, D.C. Tabor was rated by Rivals.com as a five-star recruit.[1] He originally committed to the University of Arizona to play college football, but he would later switch his commitment to the University of Florida.[2][3]

College career

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As a true freshman at Florida in 2014, Tabor played in all 12 games and had five starts under head coach Will Muschamp.[4] He finished the season with 31 tackles, one interception and two sacks. Before the 2015 season, Tabor and the Gators would have a new head coach, Jim McElwain, after the departure of Muschamp. As a sophomore in 2015, he started nine of the 13 games and was a first-team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) selection after recording 39 tackles, four interceptions, and one sack.[5][6][7] As a junior in 2016, Tabor earned his second career first-team All-SEC selection. He would forgo his senior season and enter the 2017 NFL draft.[8]

Professional career

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Pre-draft

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Heading into the NFL Combine, the majority of NFL draft experts and analysts projected Tabor to be a first round pick. Tabor received an invitation to the NFL Combine, but put up unimpressive numbers for multiple running drills. He attended Florida's Pro Day and opted to have another attempt at the 40-yard dash, 20-yard dash, and 10-yard dash, but ended up putting slower times in all three.[9] Tabor attended private workouts that were held by the Arizona Cardinals, New Orleans Saints, Dallas Cowboys, and Detroit Lions.[10][11] His draft stock began to plummet and NFL Draft experts and analysts projected him to fall to the second or third round.[12] Once considered a top five cornerback in the draft by some analysts, he was ranked as the eighth best cornerback in the draft by Sports Illustrated and was ranked the 12th best cornerback in the draft by NFLDraftScout.com and ESPN.[13][14]

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 0+12 in
(1.84 m)
199 lb
(90 kg)
32 in
(0.81 m)
8+58 in
(0.22 m)
4.62 s 1.58 s 2.67 s 4.23 s 6.99 s 31 in
(0.79 m)
10 ft 0 in
(3.05 m)
9 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Florida's Pro Day[12][9]

Detroit Lions

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The Lions selected Tabor in the second round (53rd overall) of the 2017 NFL draft.[15] He was the ninth cornerback to be selected in the 2017 NFL Draft. He was reunited with Florida teammate Jarrad Davis, who the Lions selected 21st overall. Tabor was the fourth of eight Florida Gators to be selected in 2017.[16]

On May 12, 2017, the Lions signed Tabor to a four-year, $4.82 million contract that included $2.33 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $1.64 million.[17][18]

He competed with Nevin Lawson and D. J. Hayden for the starting cornerback position. Tabor was named the Lions' fourth cornerback to begin his rookie season, behind veterans Darius Slay, Nevin Lawson, and D. J. Hayden. On October 1, 2017, Tabor made his professional regular season debut during the Lions' 14–7 win over the Minnesota Vikings. As a rookie, he appeared in ten games and made one start.[19] In the 2018 season, he appeared in 12 games and started four.[20]

On August 30, 2019, Tabor was released by the Lions.[21]

San Francisco 49ers

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On September 30, 2019, Tabor was signed to the practice squad of the San Francisco 49ers.[22] He re-signed with the 49ers on February 5, 2020.[23] He was waived on July 6, 2020, with a non-football injury designation.[24]

Chicago Bears

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On December 23, 2020, Tabor signed with the practice squad of the Chicago Bears.[25] On January 11, 2021, Tabor signed a reserve/futures contract with the Bears.[26] He switched to safety after not having the requisite speed to play the cornerback position for the Lions.[27]

On August 31, 2021, Tabor was waived by the Bears and re-signed to the practice squad the next day.[28][29] He was promoted to the active roster on October 19, 2021.[30] Tabor was placed on injured reserve on December 29, 2021.[31]

As mostly a reserve, he played 34% of the team's snaps as a special teamer and 28% of them on defense.[32] He played six games and made one start for the Bears in the 2021 season.[33]

Atlanta Falcons

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On March 17, 2022, Tabor signed with the Atlanta Falcons.[34] He competed as a backup safety and cornerback - especially in the nickel - while also working on special teams.[35][36][37] He was released on August 30 and re-signed to the practice squad.[38][39]

Seattle Seahawks (first stint)

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On September 15, 2022, the Seattle Seahawks signed Tabor off the Falcons practice squad.[40] In the 2022 season, Tabor appeared in ten games and made one start for the Seahawks.[41]

Indianapolis Colts

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On August 14, 2023, Tabor signed with the Indianapolis Colts.[42] He was released on August 27, 2023, as part of final roster cuts before the start of the 2023 season.[43]

Seattle Seahawks (second stint)

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On September 20, 2023, Tabor was signed to the Seahawks practice squad.[44] He was released on October 12, 2023.[45]

Houston Roughnecks

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On December 15, 2023, Tabor was signed by the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL.[46] The Roughnecks brand was transferred to the Houston Gamblers when the XFL and United States Football League merged to create the United Football League (UFL).[47]

San Antonio Brahmas

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On January 5, 2024, Tabor was drafted by the San Antonio Brahmas during the 2024 UFL dispersal draft.[48] He was released on April 23, 2024.[49] He was re-signed on May 2.[50] He was waived on August 23, 2024.[51]

References

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  1. ^ "Jalen Tabor". n.rivals.com. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  2. ^ Stubbs, Roman (January 2, 2014). "Friendship Collegiate DB Jalen Tabor commits to Arizona". Washington Post. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  3. ^ Hamilton, Gerry (January 9, 2014). "ESPN 300 Jalen Tabor flips to Gators". Espn.com. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  4. ^ McPherson, Jordan (August 18, 2015). "UF's Jalen Tabor determined to build on success, earning starting job with Gators". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  5. ^ Thompson, Edgar (December 18, 2015). "Gators' All-SEC cornerback Jalen Tabor vows to be even better in 2016". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  6. ^ Simonton, Jesse (April 5, 2016). "UF Gators' Jalen Tabor working to be a complete cornerback". Miami Herald. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  7. ^ Thompson, Edgar (April 1, 2016). "Gators cornerback Jalen Tabor building on breakout season with eye on NFL". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  8. ^ Alper, Josh (January 5, 2017). "Jalen Tabor will enter NFL Draft". NBC Sports. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  9. ^ a b "*Teez Tabor, DS #12 CB, Florida". nfldraftscout.com. Retrieved May 30, 2017.
  10. ^ Cox, Seth (March 20, 2017). "Arizona Cardinals workout Florida cornerback Teez Tabor". revengeofthebirds.com. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  11. ^ DeMara, Max (April 5, 2017). "Report: Detroit Lions workout Florida cornerback Teez Tabor". det.247sports.com. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  12. ^ a b "NFL Draft Profile: Teez Tabor". NFL.com. Retrieved May 30, 2017.
  13. ^ Burke, Chris (April 24, 2017). "2017 NFL draft rankings: Top prospects by position". si.com. Retrieved May 30, 2017.
  14. ^ Legwold, Jeff (April 22, 2017). "Ranking the 2017 Draft's Top 100 Prospects". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 30, 2017.
  15. ^ Twentyman, Tim (April 28, 2017). "Detroit Lions draft cornerback Teez Tabor". Detroit Lions. Archived from the original on April 29, 2017. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
  16. ^ "2017 NFL Draft Listing". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  17. ^ "Spotrac.com: Teez Tabor contract". spotrac.com. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
  18. ^ Meyer, Max (May 21, 2017). "Lions' Teez Tabor uses speed criticism as motivation". NFL.com. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
  19. ^ "Teez Tabor 2017 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  20. ^ "Teez Tabor 2018 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  21. ^ Meinke, Kyle (August 30, 2019). "Detroit Lions part with Teez Tabor in first wave of cuts". mlive.com. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  22. ^ Williams, Charean (September 30, 2019). "Teez Tabor signs with the 49ers' practice squad". NBC Sports. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  23. ^ "49ers Sign 14 Free Agents". 49ers.com. February 5, 2020. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  24. ^ "49ers Sign CB Jamar Taylor; Waived Non-Football Injury CB Teez Tabor". 49ers.com. July 6, 2020. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  25. ^ Lieser, Jason (December 23, 2020). "Bears sign former Lions CB Teez Tabor to practice squad". SunTimes.com. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  26. ^ Mayer, Larry (January 11, 2021). "Roster Moves: Bears sign 10 to reserve/future deals". ChicagoBears.com. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  27. ^ Herff, Joseph (August 20, 2021). "5 Chicago Bears players who deserve more action in preseason". Bear Goggles On. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  28. ^ Mayer, Larry (August 31, 2021). "Roster Moves: Bears announce 53-man roster". ChicagoBears.com. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  29. ^ Mayer, Larry (September 1, 2021). "Roster Moves: Bears sign 13 players to practice squad". ChicagoBears.com. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  30. ^ Mayer, Larry (October 19, 2021). "Roster Moves: Bears place Quinn on COVID list, Bush on IR". ChicagoBears.com. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  31. ^ "NFL injury updates, latest league news from Wednesday, Dec. 29". NFL.com. December 29, 2021. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  32. ^ Choate, Dave (March 17, 2022). "Falcons sign DB Teez Tabor". The Falcoholic. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  33. ^ "Teez Tabor 2021 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  34. ^ Bair, Scott (March 17, 2022). "Falcons sign offensive lineman, defensive back in free agency". AtlantaFalcons.com. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  35. ^ Choate, Dave (May 28, 2022). "How many starting jobs are up for grabs for the Falcons this summer?". The Falcoholic. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  36. ^ Ledbetter, D. Orlando (June 8, 2022). "Cover 9@9: A look at the Falcons' revamped secondary". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  37. ^ Choate, Dave (March 17, 2022). "Falcons sign DB Teez Tabor". The Falcoholic. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  38. ^ Bair, Scott (August 30, 2022). "Falcons announce initial 53-man roster heading into 2022 regular season". AtlantaFalcons.com. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  39. ^ McElhaney, Tori (August 31, 2022). "Falcons sign four to practice squad". AtlantaFalcons.com. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  40. ^ Boyle, John (September 15, 2022). "Seahawks Place Jamal Adams On Injured Reserve, Sign Teez Tabor". Seahawks.com. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  41. ^ "Teez Tabor 2022 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  42. ^ "Colts sign S Teez Tabor, waive RB Zavier Scott with injury settlement". Colts.com. August 14, 2023. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  43. ^ "Colts waive seven players, release RB Kenyan Drake and S Teez Tabor". Colts.com. August 27, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  44. ^ Boyle, John (September 20, 2023). "Seahawks Sign CB Artie Burns Off Practice Squad; Place DE Mike Morris On IR". Seahawks.com. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  45. ^ Boyle, John (October 12, 2023). "Seahawks Sign QB Holton Ahlers To Practice Squad, Release S Teez Tabor". Seahawks.com. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  46. ^ "XFL Transactions". www.xfl.com. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  47. ^ Seifert, Kevin (January 1, 2024). "Newly formed United Football League sets 8 markets, tabs coaches". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  48. ^ "UFL - Team Rosters". TheUFL.com. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  49. ^ "UFL Transactions". UFLBoard.com. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  50. ^ "UFL Transactions". UFLBoard.com. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
  51. ^ @UFL_PR (August 23, 2024). "The #UFL has announced the following transactions" (Tweet). Retrieved August 24, 2024 – via Twitter.
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