Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1480138
O C T O B E R 2 0 2 2 6 1 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M R eceiver Carmelo Taylor caught a lot of observers off guard in mid-August when he announced that he planned on signing with Penn State. Taylor, a four-star prospect in the On3 Consensus, had been considering South Carolina and Virginia Tech. He was thought to be favoring the Gamecocks, then took a trip to Blacksburg, Va., on July 30 to check out the Hokies in person. Penn State appeared to be third on his list. Twelve days later, though, he became a Nittany Lion. Taylor, who attends Patrick Henry High in Roanoke, Va., said he chose the Lions after he started to look more seriously at the "upsides of going to Penn State and where it could put me in life." "Being able to see people live out their dreams and see some of the returning players that are in the NFL coming down and supporting the team and working out with the players [was persuasive]," Taylor added. "I would like that. I would like to be in that position so that they can help me better my game as a player." In addition to its recent success at de- veloping wideouts like KJ Hamler and Ja- han Dotson into high-round NFL Draft picks, Taylor was impressed with the team's passing offense. The 5-foot-11, 155-pound prospect said he felt as though he would be a good fit with the Nittany Lions. "It interests me that they pass the ball a lot," he said. "I love having the ball in my hands and love being able to perform for my team. "They want to use me as a deep threat. I felt like Penn State has developed a lot of good players. They've made normal play- ers into excellent, excellent players. Penn State is an amazing place." Taylor said his family also played a role in his decision to pick Penn State. After pushing back his commitment date, he talked with his parents about his deci- sion. All three were in agreement about the opportunities awaiting Taylor in State College. "We all really liked Penn State," he said. "My mama felt good that if I went to Penn State, I would be in safe hands. We have a few friends up there, so she felt like I'd be in a safe spot if I go up there. My dad was just excited because his favorite college team was Penn State." Taylor is not yet sure if he will enroll early, but he plans to talk it over with his high school coaches and academic coun- selors. Having made his decision, he's now focused on excelling in final high school season. Taylor flashed his playmaking potential in Patrick Henry's 2022 opener in August, catching 6 passes for 132 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 35-27 loss to Brookville. "It feels amazing to be able to have a lot of stress off my shoulders," Taylor said. "I just like the fact that I'm committed to Penn State, and I can focus on being a team leader and helping my team try to win." "I'm excited," he added. "I'm just going to put up stats for my team. But, really, it's not about me. I just really want to win a championship with the boys before I leave." Taylor is the No. 48 wide receiver na- tionally in the On3 Consensus, as well as the No. 6 player in Virginia and No. 349 overall prospect in the 2023 class. On3's scouts have him rated a little lower, as- signing him three stars while ranking him 54th nationally among wideouts and No. 7 overall in his home state. ■ Penn State picked up a surprise commit- ment during preseason camp, with three-star receiver Carmelo Taylor announcing for the Lions. The Patrick Henry High senior chose them over South Carolina and Virginia Tech in an upset. STRENGTHS Speed: This is always a hot commodity, and Taylor has plenty. He can get open at nearly any part of the field. Yards after the catch: In addition to his speed, Taylor has natural, instinctive play- making skills. He's not a dynamic tackle- breaker, but he can easily find an angle and wiggle through traffic. Hands: There are no noticeable drops in his viewable film. AREAS OF DEVELOPMENT Focus and discipline: These are the main issues for Taylor. He runs unrefined routes, doesn't seem to have a plan from play to play and wins more with athleticism than positional skills. The good news is that his lack of overall refinement means he's only scratching the surface of his talent. The bad news is that he has a long way to go to reach that ceiling. He'll have to show a more dedi- cated approach to the detail of the game to maximize his abilities. Size: Listed at 5-foot-11, 155 pounds, Taylor has some work ahead of him in the weight room to reach his college potential. PROJECTION Slot receiver: Overall, Taylor has the speed to play outside but projects best as a slot player who can make good use of his elusive- ness after the catch. — Thomas Frank Carr P L A Y E R E V A L U A T I O N Virginia Wideout Runs A Reverse To Penn State G R E G P I C K E L | G R E G. P I C K E L @ O N 3 . C O M COMMITMENT PROFILE CARMELO TAYLOR Taylor was thought to be leaning toward South Carolina, but in August the four-star receiver prospect announced that he plans to sign with Penn State. PHOTO BY RYAN SNYDER