College of the Canyons sophomore tackle TJ Taylor has signed with the University of Illinois after earning unanimous all-league honors while anchoring the Cougars’ offensive line in 2025.

University of Illinois is an NCAA Division I program located in Champaign-Urbana. The Fighting Illini compete in the Big 10 Conference.

Taylor received a number of scholarship offers over the course of the season but had narrowed his top five schools down to Illinois, University of North Carolina, University of Kentucky, North Carolina State University and Southern Methodist University.

The Golden Valley High School grad, who spent two seasons with the Cougars, announced his commitment to the Illini over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend before officially signing in a ceremony at the COC Athletic Facility on Dec. 3.

“It just felt like the right option,” said Taylor about his commitment and subsequent signing with Illinois. “I went to UNC and Kentucky after my Illinois trip, and every night in my hotel I prayed about it, talked to my family, talked to my agent, and (Illinois) felt like the right choice.”

In 2025, Taylor was one of three Cougars to earn Southern California Football Association National Division, Central League First-Team honors. In all, Canyons claimed eight spots on the All-League team.

Taylor was a unanimous selection to the All-League team as the six-foot-six-inch offensive tackle was a force in helping the Cougars rush for better than 162 yards per game and amass more than 315 yards of total offense each time out.

The highly touted sophomore was equally effective in pass protection and run blocking, despite professing an affinity for the latter.

“Honestly, my favorite thing to do is get somebody in the dirt,” Taylor said about his role in the Cougars’ run game.

COC also saw running back Isaiah Rameau and quarterback Jazel Riley IV earn All-League accolades.

Taylor is the first member of the Cougars’ 2025 team to sign with a four-year program. In 2024, Canyons saw 14 players transfer on to the next level.

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