Ex-Arkansas St. football star charged with murder
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Blaise Taylor, a former college football star at Arkansas State who has worked as an analyst on college football staffs and as an NFL scout, has been arrested on suspicion in the poisoning deaths of his girlfriend and her unborn child in Nashville, Tennessee.
U.S. marshals arrested Taylor, 27, on Thursday night in Utah, serving an indictment from Nashville police on two counts of first-degree murder. Taylor is accused of poisoning Jade Benning in February 2023. Benning died March 6, 2023, on her 25th birthday, and her 5-month-old fetus, which Taylor is believed to have fathered, died on Feb. 27, 2023.
Benning was rushed to the hospital on Feb. 25 last year after Taylor called 911, saying Benning was having an allergic reaction. Her condition quickly became critical, and she was unable to speak with police before she died.
Taylor had been working in Nashville for the Tennessee Titans, where he rose in the pro scouting department. He joined Utah State as a senior defensive analyst for the 2023 season and is listed as an employee in the Texas A&M directory. Taylor’s father, Trooper Taylor, a longtime college coach, recently joined Texas A&M’s coaching staff as running backs coach and associate head coach under new head coach Mike Elko.
“Our thoughts are with all those affected by this heartbreaking situation, including the family and friends of the victim,” Elko said in a statement. “It’s essential to allow the courts to handle this situation with the diligence and fairness it demands. We also would like to extend our prayers and support to Coach Trooper Taylor, Dr. Evelyn Taylor and their family as they navigate this extremely difficult time.”
The school also said Blaise Taylor has been suspended pending the outcome of the criminal investigation.
Blaise Taylor is accused of poisoning Benning without her knowledge while visiting her apartment. Nashville police say they are working with authorities in Utah to transport Taylor back to the city.
Blaise Taylor was a four-year starter at Arkansas State, where Trooper coached defensive backs at the time. Blaise Taylor served as a captain and earned first-team All-Sun Belt honors as a defensive back and as a punt returner. He holds Arkansas State career records for punt return yards (1,151) and pass breakups (30) and left as the Sun Belt’s leader in passes defended (36).
