Could Penn State’s loss turn into a win for Syracuse?

Wide receiver Khalil Taylor of Gibsonia (Pa.) Pine-Richland High School decommitted from the Nittany Lions on Friday, and multiple outlets reported Taylor will visit the Orange for their game next weekend against Atlantic Coast Conference rival Pitt.

The 247Sports composite ranks Taylor as the No. 11 receiver and the No. 56 overall player in the Class of 2027. He is 5-foot-11, 180 pounds.

He committed to the Nittany Lions on March 29 after five unofficial visits. Offers from Power 4 programs, most recently Florida State and Notre Dame, have continued to come in. He has 21 total offers.

Taylor spent his sophomore season in 2024 at Seton La Salle High School in Pittsburgh. The team went 11-1 to reach the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League championship game, and on the season, he caught 51 passes for 932 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also scored on two kickoff returns and had a pick-six while playing on defense.

While still very early in the 2027 recruiting cycle, head coach Fran Brown’s staff has been aggressive in its recruiting efforts. The Orange have commitments from six players, all ranked as three-star prospects.

The class thus far consists of: defensive lineman Stanley Montgomery, Archbishop Ryan High School in Philadelphia; athletes Tristin Hughes of Rocky River, Ohio, Davion Crumitie from Rickards High in Tallahassee, Fla., and Tank White from Melbourne Central High in Melbourne, Fla.; safety Travis Miles from Hillside, N.J.; and quarterback Justin Dixon of Concordia Prep in Towson, Md.

Thus far, the 247Sports composite ranks the Syracuse class No. 4 in the nation behind Oklahoma, Texas Tech and Sacramento State.

The Orange are 3-3 (1-2 ACC) and on a two-game losing streak at their bye week with six games remaining. Three more wins would make Syracuse bowl eligible.

But the remaining schedule isn’t an easy one with Syracuse staring at matchups against three ranked teams.

On the docket are the following games:

• Oct. 18 vs. Pitt
• Oct 25 at No. 13 Georgia Tech
• Oct. 31 vs. North Carolina
• Nov. 8 at No. 2 Miami
• Nov. 22 at No. 16 Notre Dame
• Nov. 29 vs. Boston College

The Orange finished last season at 10-3 (5-3 ACC) and defeated Washington State 52-35 to win the Holiday Bowl.