Aliquippa to Add 3-Star Linebacker to Loaded Defense

For Taylor, the jump from a 1A school in Bishop Canevin to Aliquippa will provide him with an opportunity to continue his development as a college prospect.

“I’m most excited about proving myself on a higher level and learning from some great coaches,” Taylor told Pittsburgh Sports Now.

Last season with Bishop Canevin, Taylor amassed 76 total tackles, 62 solo and seven sacks. He also forced two fumbles, while recovering one and taking a blocked punt back for a touchdown.

Taylor’s recruiting process took off after an outstanding freshman campaign with the Crusaders that earned him MaxPreps Second Team Freshman All-American honors after compiling 17 sacks.

The three-star prospect, according to Rivals, holds offers from Pitt, Penn State, Syracuse, West Virginia, Miami (OH), Marshall and Bowling Green.

He recently completed a visit to West Virginia on Wednesday and says he really likes the school as he tells PSN that the Mountaineers, Penn State and Pitt are his top three choices as of now.

Taylor has made a series of trips to visit State College, including in mid-March. He also made a stop at Pitt on March 13.

With the addition of Taylor, Aliquippa continues to build a scary defense that includes a handful of players with Division I offers.

One of those names happens to be Larry Moon, who returns to Aliquippa where he grew up playing football after a year at Central Catholic. The 2027 defensive back prospect holds high-profile offers from Penn State, Miami, USC, Tennessee, Michigan State, West Virginia, Pitt and others.

The defense will also boast rising senior Tikey Hayes, the four-star Penn State commit, along with Jamar Allen, who holds an offer from Temple and joins the Quips after starting at North Hills last year, and Sa’Nir Brooks, who has offers from Miami (OH) and Akron and joins Moon in transferring from Central Catholic.

According to a report from Chris Harlan of the Trib, Taylor has yet to file transfer eligibility paperwork for the season.

Hearings are set to take place for two other Aliquippa additions in former Central Valley players Joseph Work and Khalil Ellerbee, according to Harlan.

Additionally in the report, Brooks and Moon are approved to play next season due to the transfer rule not applying to freshman. Ray Miller, who will transfer in from Seton LaSalle, was approved for regular-season competition, but is ineligible for the postseason. Aliquippa can appeal.

With a loaded defense, Aliquippa will be on to defend its undefeated 14-0 season that saw the Quips claim WPIAL and PIAA titles. The district championship at Acrisure Stadium was its third in a row, earning the Quips a WPIAL-record 20 titles.

For the next two seasons, Aliquippa will play up another classification in 5A after losing its competitive-balance appeal back in January.