Northwestern superback Jayme Taylor has decided to medically retire from football.

Taylor, a redshirt sophomore, arrived at the decision after suffering a neck/back injury early in training camp. He had not participated in practice since week one of camp.

InsideNU broke the news yesterday following Northwestern’s practice. A Northwestern spokesman confirmed the news to WildcatReport on Wednesday.

A 6-foot-4, 235-pound product of the Woodlands (Texas), Taylor missed all of the 2015 season due to an ankle injury suffered in preseason camp. In 2014, he played in all 12 games as a redshirt freshman, hauling in nine passes for 45 yards.

Taylor’s most memorable contribution probably came on a trick play during Northwestern’s opener against California two years ago. With NU’s offense struggling to move the ball, Trevor Siemian threw the ball to Taylor behind the line of scrimmage. Taylor then delivered a strike back to Siemian, who bobbed and weaved his way into the endzone for a 17-yard touchdown.

With Dan Vitale moving on the NFL, Taylor was expected to play a major role alongside fellow superback Garrett Dickerson this season. Taylor was arguably the more natural pass catcher of the two and his retirement puts a strain on an inexperienced superback unit.

Dickerson plays the inline tight end role, and Taylor’s retirement could mean that the athletic junior gets more involved in the passing game. Behind Dickerson is Cameron Green, who made the transition from wide receiver at the beginning of camp and figures to slide into Taylor’s H-back/hybrid role. Green does not have the same strength that Vitale had, but he is 6-foot-3 and a natural pass catcher.

Following Green could be redshirt sophomore James Prather or possibly true freshman Eric Eshoo, who both figure to play the inline tight end role.

Northwestern typically employs a two-superback scheme in short yardage situations, so Taylor’s loss will likely impact their usage of that formation. Furthermore, this puts more of an onus on Dickerson, who was heavily recruited but is still unproven as a receiver.

Taylor is expected to remain connected to the program as a student assistant.

Taylor is the second player Northwestern has lost in camp. Cornerback Keith Watkins II injured his knee during the first week of drills and is out for the 2015 season.