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Roman's Taylor pledges to play football for Scarlet Knights

Roman Catholic senior two-way lineman Manny Taylor, who did not begin playing football until 10th grade, committed Monday to play at Rutgers.

The 6-foot-6, 275-pounder, an offensive tackle and defensive end, took an unofficial visit to the school last Wednesday. Four days earlier, he took part in the program's Big Man Academy.

"As soon as I walked in there, I felt like it was home," Taylor said. "One of the biggest things is the way they make you feel like you're part of a family."

Taylor, also a standout power forward in basketball, had also drawn football interest from Delaware, Miami, Syracuse, and Virginia.

Taylor landed the scholarship offer from Rutgers, his first, immediately following the Big Man Academy. He later visited the school with his mother, Donna. "She was more excited about all they had to offer than I was," Taylor said.

Taylor will likely play on the offensive line for the Scarlet Knights, but said the coaches have yet to inform him of his position at the next level.

Taylor played jayvee football the last two seasons. His first taste of organized football came as a sophomore.

In hoops, Taylor was drawing interest from Delaware, St. Peter's, and Virginia. Last season, he helped the Cahillites go 23-5 and advance to the second round of the PIAA Class AAAA state playoffs.

The 17-year-old from Abington said he is thinking of majoring in law or criminal justice at Rutgers.

Taylor says he has no plans of also trying to play basketball for the Scarlet Knights. He was a second-team all-Catholic League selection last season.

"College football is going to be a big challenge," he said. "I'm going to concentrate on doing that."