 After an All @-@ American career at the University of North Carolina ( UNC ) ( 1978 – 1981 ) , Taylor was drafted by the Giants as the second overall selection in the 1981 NFL Draft . Although controversy surrounded the selection due to Taylor 's contract demands , the two sides quickly resolved the issue . Taylor won several defensive awards after his rookie season . Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s , Taylor was a disruptive force at outside linebacker , and is credited with changing the pass rushing schemes , offensive line play , and offensive formations used in the NFL . Taylor produced double @-@ digit sacks each season from 1984 through 1990 , including a career high of 20 @.@ 5 in 1986 . He also won a record three Defensive Player of the Year awards and was named the league 's Most Valuable Player ( MVP ) for his performance during the 1986 season . Taylor is one of only two defensive players in the history of the NFL to have ever won the NFL MVP award . He was named First @-@ team All @-@ Pro in each of his first nine seasons and was a key member of the Giants ' defense , nicknamed " The Big Blue Wrecking Crew " , that led New York to victories in Super Bowls XXI and XXV . During the 1980s , Taylor , fellow linebackers Carl Banks , Gary Reasons , Brad Van Pelt , Brian Kelley , Pepper Johnson , and Hall of Famer Harry Carson gave the Giants linebacking corps a reputation as one of the best in the NFL . 
