BeaversEdge Top 25 For 2025: No. 6 Nikko Taylor

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In the months leading up to the start of fall camp, BeaversEdge.com will be counting down the Top 25 Oregon State football players on the 2025 roster. Want to give your two cents on the rankings? Subscribe to BeaversEdge.com to join The Dam Board and weigh in on the conversation. We continue with outside linebacker Nikko Taylor, who checks in at No. 6.

Nikko Taylor

Outside Linebacker

Bio

No. 25

6-foot-5, 256-pounds

Senior

Oceanside, Calif.

Blue Valley North HS -> HUTCHINSON COMMUNITY COLLEGE -> Oregon State

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 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
• 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

Taylor 2024 Recap

After playing in all 12 games in 2023, largely on special teams and reserve outside linebacker, Taylor made a sizable leap in year two, becoming an everyday starter and the Beavers’ best pass-rusher in 2024. Due to the Beavers’ logjam of depth at outside linebacker when he arrived, Taylor had to wait a year to showcase himself. Still, once he did, he looked every part of the standout EDGE rusher that was one of the top JUCO prospects several cycles ago.

He started all 12 of the Beavers’ contests at OLB, playing 583 snaps, the third-most on OSU’s defense. Taylor finished with a standout line of 46 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, eight quarterback hurries, three pass breakups, and one blocked kick. He finished third on the team in tackles and led the team in tackles for loss, sacks, and forced fumbles.

Taylor 2025 Outlook

While it looked like Taylor was coming off his most productive season as a Beaver and out of eligibility moving forward, head coach Trent Bray and the Beaver defense got a big-time boost when Taylor announced he’d be returning for an additional year by way of the JUCO ruling. Taylor wasn’t the only Beaver to do so, as safety Tyrice Ivy did the same, but it cannot be understated how valuable it is for this defense’s success to return your best pass rusher.

The Beavers did a nice job of adding some additional depth to the OLB room, and with Taylor leading the way, it looks to be a position of strength for the Beavers this season. Look for Taylor to be right in the mix to lead the team in sacks, tackles for loss, and he’ll pile up a good amount of tackles as well, and likely find himself in the top-five on defense. Taylor is no doubt looking to impress the next level as well this season, so he’ll be primed to be in a spot to top his strong production from a year ago.