Nikko Taylor

Photo by: Karl Maasdam

Photo by: Scobel Wiggins/Oregon State Athletics

Photo by: Karl Maasdam

Position:
Outside Linebacker
Height:
6-5
Year:
Junior
Hometown:
Oceanside, Calif.
High School:
Blue Valley North

2024 (SENIOR)
• Played in all 12 games
• Tallied 46 tackles with 7.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, eight quarterback hurries, three pass breakups and one blocked kick
• Finished with a season-high tackles against both UNLV and California
• Had 2-yard half tackles for loss in both games. Also recorded three quarterback hurries against UNLV
• Recorded two tackles for loss and a 5-yard sack with three tackles against San Diego State. Recovered a fumble and was credited with both a quarterback hurry and pass breakup in the shutout
• Opened the season with a 1-yard sack and recorded two quarterback hurries against Idaho State
• Finished with five tackles at Nevada, adding 1.5 TFLs with a breakup
• Posted five tackles at Air Force, finishing half a TFL
• Ended the season with five tackles in the finale at Boise State, recovering his second fumble of the year
• Credited with four tackles, forced a fumble and had a 2-yard TFL versus Purdue

2023 (JUNIOR)
• Played in all 13 games
• Recorded two tackles, one apiece versus San Jose State and UC Davis

HUTCHINSON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
• Rated three stars by 247Sports and Rivals
• Ranked as the No. 1 junior college player in the nation at outside linebacker. Is also ranked 12th nationally regardless of position and No. 4 in the state of Kansas
• 2022 All-American Honorable Mention selection
• Will enter Oregon State as a junior after playing two seasons at Hutchinson Community College
• Played in 12 games as a sophomore in 2022, totaling 43 tackles with 15.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks. Also recorded two pass breakups. Recorded a career-best nine tackles with two sacks in a 27-19 win over Butler on Oct. 1
• Opened his college career with 14 tackles as a freshman in 2021. Added 3.5 tackles for loss with one sack and one pass breakup

VALLEY NORTH HIGH SCHOOL
• Lettered for head coach Adam Pummill at Blue Valley North High School in Overland Park, Kansas
• Also played basketball in high school

PERSONAL
• Majoring in psychology
• Chose Oregon State because “I felt like it was the best fit for me and made me comfortable to be a student-athlete. What I am looking for to the most is building a bond with my future teammates and winning on Saturdays.”