On Friday, Notre Dame gained a massive commitment from 2025 Winter Garden (Fla.) West Orange elite safety Ivan Taylor. The son of former Pittsburgh Steeler star cornerback Ike Taylor, Ivan has been pursued by some of the premier programs in college football and for good reason.
The talent on the field is impressive. However, that isn’t what truly separates Taylor as a football player. According to West Orange Geno Thompson, he is the full package. In fact, there just aren’t many like him.
“Ivan is the top one perfect of people I have ever coached,” Thomas told Irish Breakdown. “For our team, we give our helmet stickers but it isn’t based on performance on the field. It is based on being a good person, a great community member and leader. Ivan has five or six stickers that are just from teacher recommendations. He is truly a man of character.”
Where does that character come from? It’s easy, his family. His parents have raised a great young man.
“Both of his parents have done a phenomenal job,” said Coach Thompson. “He is very humble. If you talk to him, you wouldn’t be able to tell he has 50 plus offers.
“Ivan camped at UCF and on his questionnaire, it asks how many offers you have,” he continued. “I think he put down like six teams. The coach called me to see if that was true. It’s just so different to have a star player who doesn’t want that attention.”
Taylor is the perfect example of doing the little things, especially when others aren’t looking. His work ethic is second to none.
“He’s waking up at 4:30 every morning to workout with his dad and a bunch of other players,” he said. “Ivan does all of the little things. He is a great teammate.
“I think he’ll end up being in the league one day,” Thompson added. “You obviously can’t see the future but I’m almost certain. As a junior, he’s very much a professional about the game. Everyone says they love the game but don’t wake up at 4:30 in the morning. He’s just built differently.”
When making the decision, it wasn’t about flash for Taylor. He was looking for a great fit, and awesome people to help him reach his potential.
“I know Ivan was looking for a place that he fits best,” Thompson stated. “I don’t think he likes the recruiting process much in particular. He’s not the type to like to be courted. He’s really trying to find a staff that he can buy into.
“Ivan has always said that the NFL will be able to find you no matter where you play,”Thompson said. “It’s been about the people and relationships for him to best grow.”
Clearly, Notre Dame is getting a great football player. They are getting a leader, great teammate and community member. They are also getting an incredible talent.
“Ivan has the ability to play anywhere you need,” said Thompson. “He can play safety or nickel, and can even play cornerback. He’s that type of athlete. His tackling ability is through the roof. That versatility is invaluable to a defense.”
Calling someone the “complete package” can be a very overused statement. For new Notre Dame commit Ivan Taylor, it fits perfectly.
Taylor is considered a consensus four-star by every major recruiting platform. He is ranked as a top 40 national recruit by both 247Sports (No. 35) and ESPN (No. 30). Both of those outlets rank Taylor as a top five safety in the class.
The 6-0, 170-pound safety had been courted by some of the top prospects in all of college football. Taylor currently holds offers from the Fighting Irish, Alabama, Michigan, USC, Penn State, Florida, Tennessee, Florida State, Ole Miss, South Carolina and Pittsburgh among several others.
In only nine games as a sophomore, Taylor made his full impact on the back end. He finished the season with 65 total tackles, five tackles for loss, half a sack, three interceptions and eight pass breakups.
Taylor has forced a ton of turnovers as a junior. In nine games, the talented defender has intercepted three passes and three forced fumbles. Taylor has also broken up another pass as well, on top of recording 50 total tackles and six tackles for loss. Disruption is the name of his game.
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