Mason Taylor family tree: From dad Jason to uncle Zach Thomas, meet the football-playing family of NFL Draft prospect

Dan Treacy

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Mason Taylor family tree: From dad Jason to uncle Zach Thomas, meet the football-playing family of NFL Draft prospect image

LSU's Mason Taylor isn't the headliner of a talented tight end class in the 2025 NFL Draft, but he could be a Day 2 sneaky addition for any team with a need at the position.

Taylor spent three seasons at LSU, recording career-highs in receptions and yards in 2024 and rising ahead of all tight ends outside of projected first-rounders Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland on some big boards. 

The learning curve can be steep for rookies, but Taylor has been surrounded by Hall of Fame players since he was born thanks to his talented his family.

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Here's what you need to know about Taylor's family, which includes Dolphins legends Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas.

Mason Taylor's father

Taylor is the son of Hall of Fame pass-rusher Jason Taylor, who spent 13 of his 15 NFL seasons with the Dolphins.

Jason morphed from a 1997 third-round pick into one of the league's most intimidating defenders, earning three First-Team All-Pro selections and recording six double-digit sack seasons. He led the NFL with 18.5 sacks in 2002 and finished his career with 139.5 sacks along with 46 forced fumbles.

Jason actually spent three different stints in Miami, returning to the Dolphins after quiet one-year stops with the Commanders (then Redskins) and Jets. 

Also, the 2006 Defensive Player of the Year, Jason was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017. 

The Taylors are set to have two generations step on an NFL field once Mason makes his debut in September. 

MORE 2025 NFL DRAFT: SN's 7-round mock | Top 250 big board | Expert mock draft roundup

Mason Taylor's uncle

The Hall of Fame connections don't stop there for Taylor. His uncle is Dolphins great Zach Thomas, thanks to the family connection between Thomas and his father.

Mason Taylor's mother — Jason Taylor's ex-wife — is the sister of Thomas, making Thomas an uncle on his mother's side.

Thomas, a linebacker, spent his entire 13-year career with the Dolphins from 1996-2008. He was a five-time First-Team All-Pro, finishing his career with 16 forced fumbles, 17 interceptions and 1,734 tackles. 

After a long wait, Thomas finally joined Taylor in the Hall of Fame in 2023. 

Jason Taylor and Thomas' sister nearly divorced in 2006, creating what some thought would be an awkward situation in the locker room. Taylor denied there would be any issues, telling reporters, "I think it's ridiculous to me that anyone would even think that."

Taylor and his wife reconciled but later divorced in 2015. 

MORE: Ranking the top 10 tight ends in 2025 NFL Draft

Mason Taylor's aunt

The Taylor family is wide-reaching, as Mason Taylor's aunt — Jason Taylor's sister — is Fox Sports host Joy Taylor.

Joy has worked as an on-air personality at Fox Sports since 2016, previously hosting "Undisputed," starring Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe. She now hosts "Speak," starring Paul Pierce and Keyshawn Johnson.

While she still works at Fox Sports, Joy recently found herself in hot water when she was mentioned in a workplace misconduct lawsuit filed by a former employee of the network.

Through his aunt, Mason Taylor was nearly able to call former NBA player and coach Earl Watson his uncle, as Watson and Joy Taylor were engaged in 2018 before calling off their relationship. 

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Mason Taylor's brother

Taylor's brother, Isaiah, also played college football, as he spent three seasons as a defensive back at Arizona before returning home to Miami for his senior season in 2024.

Isaiah played a reserve role throughout much of his time with the Wildcats and Hurricanes, recording 30 total tackles and two pass deflections in 29 games. 

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Dan Treacy

Dan Treacy is a content producer for Sporting News, joining in 2022 after graduating from Boston University. He founded @allsportsnews on Instagram in 2012 and has written for Lineups and Yardbarker.