Big Ten Roundup (July 31): Wisconsin's Jonathan Taylor Requests Trade, Ohio State Lands 4-Star Corner

Former Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor requested a trade from the Indianapolis Colts amidst an ongoing contract dispute with owner Jim Irsay, while Ohio State and Ryan Day earned a commitment from 2024 four-star cornerback Aaron Scott.

The Indianapolis Colts aren't the only NFL franchise in a standoff with their incumbent running back at the moment, but theirs is the most prominent. 

Jonathan Taylor, once a legendary ball carrier for the Wisconsin Badgers under coach Paul Chryst, requested a trade on Sunday following a meeting with Colts' owner Jim Irsay, according to reports. 

On the recruiting trail, Ryan Day and the Ohio State football had an up-and-down Sunday. It began with 2025 four-star safety Jontae Gilbert de-committing from the Buckeyes, only for a 2024 four-star cornerback in Aaron Scott to pledge himself to OSU hours later. 

Here's everything you need to know in today's Big Ten Roundup: 

Jonathan Taylor Trade Request

Saquon Barkley. Josh Jacobs. Austin Ekeler.

All three high-profile running backs coming off some impressive seasons, and yet all three have not agreed to long term contract extensions this offseason. Taylor can be added to that list, and his situation has become the most dramatic. 

After some questionable comments from Irsay on Twitter, and a meeting that was held between the owner and Taylor's representation, the running back requested a trade, as first reported by Ian Rapoport. 

Sources: #Colts star RB Jonathan Taylor has formally requested a trade after meeting with owner Jim Irsay. pic.twitter.com/BH7dhZAzUD

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 30, 2023

Following the trade request, it was reported that the Colts were considering placing Jonathan Taylor on the non-football injury list (NFI) for the upcoming season due to a rumored back injury suffered while working out in Arizona.

However, Taylor himself later tweeted that he had never injured his back nor reported of any back pain to the Colts. 

1.) Never had a back pain.

2.) Never reported back pain.

Not sure who “sources” are, but find new ones 🤔

— Jonathan Taylor (@JayT23) July 31, 2023

It's a gigantic mess in Indianapolis that's developed in wake of running backs across the NFL believing that they've been devalued. Even a rising star at the position like Taylor can't land a long term deal. 

Teams and front office worry that his body has already taken too much physical damage with the carries he's garnered in his first three seasons, and seemingly believe that a replacement level back on a cheaper deal is a more cost effective option. 

In his three years at Madison, Wis., Taylor became one of the most prolific rushers in the history of college football. He ran for 6,174 yards from 2017-19 and averaged a blistering 6.7 yards per carry, while also racking up over 2,000 rushing yards in back-to-back seasons in 2018 and 2019. 

Through three seasons in the NFL, his production has still been superb, if not as voluminous as it was in college. Taylor has 3,841 career rushing yards with the Colts and an average of 5.1 yards per carry, and he nearly won the NFL MVP in 2021, when he finished as the league's leading rusher with 1,811 yards and 18 touchdowns. 

Aaron Scott Commits to Ohio State

Even when a day starts poorly for the Buckeyes, it always seems to turn out alright. Ohio State lost 2025 commit Jontae Gilbert early on Sunday, but later landed 2024 four-star Aaron Scott. Even more importantly to most Ohio State fans, Scott picked the scarlet and gray over arch rival Michigan, giving coach Ryan Day a big win over Jim Harbaugh on the recruiting trail. 

Scott is Ohio State's 19th commit of the 2024 recruiting class, a class that ranks second nationally behind only the two-time defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs, according to 247 Sports. 

For more on the commitment of Scott, check out the full story on our sister site Buckeyes Now. 

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