With the news of Penn State football being a serious contender in landing five-star running back Kemon Spell, head coach Matt Campbell's potential Class of 2027 is already panning out to be strong. Not only is Spell giving the Nittany Lions another shot at his commitment, but this four-star wide receiver is too.
Penn State remains in tug-of-war battle with Notre Dame for elite 5-star running back
Khalil Taylor is the No. 65 overall recruit from his class and 14th-ranked wide receiver, according to 247Sports Composite rankings. Like Spell, Taylor is another Pennsylvania talent that Penn State hopes to keep close to home. The Pittsburgh, Penn. native is the fourth-ranked student-athlete from the state. In his non-composite rating, Taylor is the 103rd overall recruit, No. 15 wideout, and still fourth out of Pennsylvania.
In 2024, Taylor registered 51 receptions for 932 yards and 22 touchdowns. At kick return, he had two ran back for a score. On defense, he logged a pick six as well. As a junior in 2025, Taylor had 24 touchdowns, three interceptions, and one pick six.
The one prediction from the 247Sports crew favors the Nittany Lions at the moment.
Like Spell, Taylor used to be committed to the blue and white. He took four unofficial visits, attended Junior Day, and officially committed to the program on March 27, 2025. Penn State was the only school he visited throughout his recruitment, according to 247Sports' timeline, despite receiving offers from other top schools. Oregon, Texas A&M, Notre Dame, and Indiana are among the teams that extended Taylor offers. On June 27, 2025, he shut down his commitment.
While his sights were set on the Nittany Lions, he became one of the soon-to-be many de-commitments the program suffered. Taylor was early to the trend, doing so before Virginia Tech head coach James Franklin was fired. He announced his de-commitment on Oct. 10 after Penn State lost to Oregon and UCLA back-to-back. This was also after Franklin took a helicopter visit to Pittsburgh to watch the young wide receiver in action.
Nearly two months after Taylor de-committed, the Nittany Lions fostered hope again. On Dec. 17, they re-extended Taylor an offer, and things are seemingly heading in their favor as well.