2025 Trib HSSN Preseason Football All-Star Team: Pine-Richland’s Khalil Taylor

By: Giustino Racchini
Saturday, August 2, 2025 | 11:05 AM

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It’s a change of scenery this year for four-star prospect Khalil Taylor, who last week transferred from Seton LaSalle to Pine-Richland.

The Penn State commit is looking forward to making an immediate impact for the Class 5A power after two impressive seasons for the Rebels, pending an eligibility ruling by the WPIAL board of directors.

“I’m gonna try and get on the field early and learn some new plays,” said Taylor, a junior wide receiver/defensive back. “I want to prove to everyone that I can play at the top part of ball in Western Pa.”

Taylor joins a Pine-Richland team that is the defending WPIAL champion and a PIAA semifinalist and has a storied history of success. He will be another weapon for returning quarterback Aaron “Oobi” Strader Jr. The Rams also return Florida State recruit Jay Timmons, who caught 40 passes for 755 yards and 12 TDs last season.

Taylor was unable to participate in summer activities because of a collarbone injury that has sidelined him for a majority of the offseason, but as heat acclimation week begins, he is ready to get back on the field.

The junior standout has become one of the top receivers in the state over the past couple of years. He is the 53rd-best prospect in the nation in the Class of 2027, according to 247Sports, and the fourth-best prospect in the state.

He committed to Penn State in March, joining other top WPIAL players after getting to know those around the program during visits.

“Penn State showed out for me and always showed me a ton of love,” Taylor said. “It feels like home only being two hours away, and I just wanna go up there and change the narrative about wide receivers and be a top guy up there.”

The narrative Taylor alluded to stems from that lack of production from the receiver position over the past few years at Happy Valley. Over the past two seasons, tight ends at Penn State have caught five more passing touchdowns than the receivers (27 to 22), a mark that has left questions at the position.

Taylor has left little doubt when it comes to his play on the field that he can be a difference the next few years of high school into college. In 2024, he had 51 receptions for 932 yards and 22 touchdowns.

“I’m hoping (this year) to get my route running together and show people that I can really run routes,” Taylor said. “I haven’t had a ton of training because of my injury this offseason.”

From a young age with the Garfield Gators, Taylor loved the game and continued to pursue greatness.

Taylor tried out running back first before moving to play quarterback at a young age. He said that after not liking the QB position, receiver was the next progression for him.

“I watched a ton of highlights growing up, and watching guys like Tavon Austin and others was fun, and it was what I wanted to do,” Taylor said. “My whole personality is football every single day.”

Khalil Taylor

Pine-Richland

5-foot-11, 190 pounds

WR/CB

Stars: 4

2024 statistics: 51 catches, 932 yards, 22 TDs

Division I offers: Penn State, Notre Dame, Akron, Bowling Green, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan State, Nebraska, Pitt, Rutgers, Sacramento State, Syracuse, Temple, Troy, UConn, UNLV, USF, West Virginia, Wisconsin

Highlights: Hudl

Tags: Pine-Richland