Born in Winchester, Tennessee, and raised in Manchester after moving there in fourth grade, Alontae Taylor is a proud Coffee County Central graduate whose football journey has carried him from the Red Raiders to the NFL.

At Coffee County Central High School, Taylor starred at quarterback, accounting for 8,225 yards of total offense and 86 touchdowns during his four-year career. He earned 2017 Tennessee Sports Writers Association Class 6A All-State honors and was named Region 3-6A Athlete of the Year. Recognized among Tennessee’s top 10 recruits and included in the ESPN 300, Taylor received an invitation to the 2018 Under Armour All-American Game. He also earned East Team MVP honors at the 2017 Toyota East–West Tennessee Football All-Star Classic after throwing the game-winning touchdown on a double-pass.

At the University of Tennessee (2018–2021), Taylor transitioned from wide receiver to cornerback and became a defensive leader for the Volunteers. In 45 games with 31 starts, he recorded 162 tackles, four interceptions, 19 passes defended, three forced fumbles and two defensive touchdowns. His accomplishments included Phil Steele’s fourth-team All-SEC recognition in 2021, three consecutive SEC Academic Honor Roll selections (2019–2021) and two terms as vice chair of the SEC Football Leadership Council. He graduated with a degree in communication studies in December 2021 and later recorded an interception in the 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl.

Selected 49th overall in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints, Taylor played four seasons in New Orleans, appearing in 64 games with 53 starts. During that stretch, he collected 293 tackles, four interceptions, seven sacks and 52 passes defended. His standout 2024 season included 89 tackles, four sacks and 16 passes defended, with his pass-defense total tied for fifth in the NFL. That season, he became the first Saints defensive back to record three sacks in one game, accomplishing the feat against Carolina. By the end of 2025, his seven career sacks were the most by a cornerback in Saints history.

Taylor returned to his home state when he signed with the Tennessee Titans on March 12, 2026, continuing his professional career close to the community where he grew up. Through November 12, 2026, his first Titans season includes six appearances, five starts, 30 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble. Away from the NFL, Taylor maintains his connection to Manchester through his annual Chosen One Youth Football Camp at Coffee County Central High School, providing local young athletes an opportunity to learn and develop their skills.