All 105 is a Nittany Sorts Now series profiling each Penn State football player. In this edition, we’ll profile true freshman WR Carmelo Taylor.
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 162 pounds
Hometown: Roanoke, Virginia
Before Penn State: Taylor was a two-year letterman at Patrick Henry High School previously played a season at Cave Spring. A captain at Patrick Henry, Taylor was the team’s MVP in both of his seasons and was an all-region performer. As a senior, he caught 47 balls for 943 yards and 17 touchdowns. Taylor was a four-star recruit, and committed to Penn State in August 2022, choosing it over Maryland, South Carolina, Virginia Tech and West Virginia, among others.
Where he stands: Penn State’s receivers room has a different look coming into the 2023 season.
Parker Washington and Mitchell Tinsley are gone, and aside from projected WR1 KeAndre Lambert-Smith, who’s entering his fourth season with the program, nobody whose expected to get playing time at receiver for Penn State played on last year’s team.
Dante Cephas (Kent State transfer) and Malik McClain (Florida State) both have solid chances to start, so despite his experience, getting playing time won’t be easy for Taylor, especially as a true freshman.
A quote by Taylor: ”I like that they pass a lot. I feel like I could be used as a deep threat.” — Taylor to 247Sports after his commitment.
A quote about Taylor: “Carmelo is a big-time talent that has next-level speed and outstanding athletic ability. He’s had a big impact on his teammates by being a guy that goes out and shows it by working and practicing hard and always being ready to play.” — Taylor’s high school coach, Alan Fiddler.
