Three-star College of the Canyons offensive tackle and Golden Valley alumnus TJ Taylor officially signed with the University of Illinois at COC on Wednesday.
At 6-foot-6 and 300 pounds, Taylor, who is the No.2 JUCO offensive tackle in the class of 2026 according to 247 sports, had 21 Division 1 college offers and announced on social media Friday he committed to the Fighting Illini.
“I’m excited, I’m ready to go to Illinois,” Taylor said. “[The decision] felt more well-rounded than other schools, and I believe in coach Bret Bielema, the rest of the staff and the program, and believe they can help guide me to the next level.”
Taylor added that the decision to sign with Illinois wasn’t an easy one as there were many programs to choose from.
In the days leading up to his announcement, Taylor visited the University of North Carolina and Kentucky but ultimately made his choice after speaking to family and friends on the best choice for him.
“A couple of months ago, when I got Illinois’ offer, they weren’t even in my top five,” he said. “When I went to Illinois, it was surreal. It just felt like home. So, after North Carolina State, UNC, Kentucky and other SEC schools, Illinois felt like the place to be.”
Taylor graduated from Golden Valley High School in 2024 and attended COC in the fall where he played in the 2024 season.
He just finished his sophomore season and was one of the most sought-out prospects in this year’s class as he is the fourth highest recruit from California and ninth nationally.
When asked about what he’s going to take to Illinois from both football programs in Golden Valley and COC, his answer was “preparation,” as he believes the skills he learned from both have prepared him to take the next steps in his career.
“In this profession, you go to practice and come home, and that isn’t going to take you to the next level,” he said. “You have to do the extra work, and after practice I would stay and do drills and that would help me during my games and just outwork the next man.”
