PISCATAWAY, N.J. – When Billy Taylor arrived on campus in the summer for 2017, he did not even know if he had a spot on the Rutgers football team. It was only after a slot opened a few weeks into training camp that Taylor was given an opportunity to secure his place on the roster. 
 
A standout center and defensive lineman at Parsippany Hills during his high school career, Taylor produced 62 tackles with 10 sacks as senior to help the Vikings to an appearance in the NJSIAA North 2, Group III final. That season, Taylor earned Third Team All-Group III by the Star-Ledger and First Team All-Patriot White Division at center by the Bergen Record. 
 
Despite his success at Parsippany Hills as a lineman, it was his ability as a long snapper that drew notice from Division I programs. Taylor was graded as a five-star specialist, the ninth overall long snapper recruit nationally and the top player at his position in New Jersey by Rubio Long Snapping, one of the premier long snapping training organizations in the country. 
 
Taylor decided to walk on at Rutgers that summer. A few weeks later, he not only earned a roster spot, but the team's primary long snapper job. 
 
He has not looked back (except, of course, when snapping the ball between his legs). Taylor turned a walk-on opportunity into a chance to finish his career with the most games played by a Scarlet Knight since the program's inception in 1869. 
 
Along with defensive tackle Julius Turner, Taylor has appeared in every game since stepping on campus prior to the 2017 season, and has handled snaps for all punts, field goals and extra points in four-plus seasons in Piscataway. With 52 career games played, Taylor and Turner can tie Scott Vallone (53) for the program standard in that category on Oct. 30 when the Scarlet Knights face Illinois in Champaign. 
 
Taylor credits keeping it simple as the reason he has been able to be in a position have played in the most games in school history. 
 
"Body wise, a lot of it is just watching reps," Taylor said. "I've always had the tendency to over snap and that will wear out your hamstrings as time goes on. Mentally, looking up and seeing all of these games played could be daunting, but it's always about focusing on the next snap and next rep." 
 
That approach has earned Taylor national recognition. Taylor earned a spot on the Patrick Mannelly Award watch list prior to the start of the season, with the award annually presented to the best FBS senior long snapper. Taylor was also a semifinalist for the 2020 William V. Campbell Trophy, which recognizes and individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation. 
 
"I'm just constantly trying to push myself and improve," Taylor said. "Every day I just come in and try to get a little bit better. If you're staying the same, you're getting worse, so I look to improve each day." 
 
Another reason for his success is the bond built with RU's All-America candidate punter, as Taylor and Adam Korsak have worked together since 2018. The program's all-time leader in punting yards, Korsak has earned three Ray Guy Award Punter of the Week recognitions this season and appears on the Ray Guy Award Watch List for the fourth consecutive season. 
 
Korsak is quick to point out Taylor's contributions to his own storied collegiate career. 
 
"Billy is a great long snapper," Korsak said. "He's always so consistent and smooth with his rhythm. Outside of football, he's just a great guy. He's one of the more solid guys I've ever met. The consistent effort he puts in is unmatched. I'm so grateful to have him has our long snapper." 
 
Taylor has also been able to impact his younger brother, Zack, who serves as Billy's backup this season as a true freshman. Zack Taylor can be seen running side-by-side with Billy at practices, with the two working on technique with the other specialists. 
 
As a rookie long snapper in the Big Ten Conference, Zack can pick the brain of one of the best in the country at his position. 
 
"I'm glad I had the opportunity to come back this year and work with him," Billy Taylor said. "There are a lot of things I'm not sure how long it would have taken him to learn if I wasn't here to help. I think the way we work together gives him a leg up in the maturity department. Technique wise, if he feels like something is off, I'm here to give him feedback. I'm really happy to help out." 
 
Billy Taylor plans to explore snapping at the next level after this season, and there is precedent for Scarlet Knights succeeding in the NFL at the position. Two former Rutgers football players – Andrew DePaola (Minnesota) and Clark Harris (Cincinnati) – serve as the primary long snappers for their respective teams this season, with Harris owning the designation as the longest-tenured Scarlet Knight with 14 years in the league under his belt. 
 
But after his football career comes to an end, Taylor has a bachelor's degree in finance in his back pocket. A three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and 2020 Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, Taylor is in line to earn his master's degree in financial analysis by the time his tenure at Rutgers finishes and has already worked internships with TD Bank and Mass Mutual/RU Financial. 
 
The five-year run is filled with accomplishments any parent would be proud of. With program history just a snap away, Taylor is only concerned about what lies ahead in the short term.
 
"I try not to look too forward or back," Taylor said. "Every day is another opportunity to go out and do what I can do. I like to stay focused on my job. Maybe after this is all done, I'll be able to reflect on it, but for now I'm just looking forward to the next game."



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