Elite Safety Ivan Taylor Commits To Notre Dame

Notre Dame is on a roll with its 2025 class and it got much better today as Winter Garden (Fla.) West Orange standout safety Ivan Taylor committed to the Fighting Irish. This is the biggest pickup yet for the defensive class and gives the Irish yet another player that is considered among the best in the nation at his position.

Taylor has been a top target for Notre Dame since he worked out this summer at the Irish Invasion camp. He was a frequent visitor in South Bend moving forward, with Taylor making another summer visit before also trekking to campus for games against Pittsburgh and Wake Forest.

The 5-11, 170-pound safety was a dominant all-around player for West Orange this season. Taylor is one of the best cover safeties in the country, something Notre Dame wants to add more of to its secondary. Despite his coverage ability, Taylor is an elite prospect primarily because his game is strong all-around. He's a strong tackler, a sound fundamental player and he's constantly around the football.

Taylor is ranked as the nation's No. 30 overall player and No. 5 safety by ESPN, and he's ranked as the No. 35 overall player and No. 5 safety by 247Sports. Both also rank him among the five best players in the state of Florida.

The West Orange star had offers from Alabama, Florida State, Michigan, USC, Tennessee, Florida, Penn State, Miami (Fla.), Ole Miss, Wisconsin, UCF, South Carolina and Pittsburgh.

Taylor is the son of former Pittsburgh Steelers standout Ike Taylor. He is also the first West Orange player to commit to Notre Dame since Dexter Williams back in 2015.

Taylor is the 10th player to commit to Notre Dame, joining quarterback Deuce Knight, running backs Daniel Anderson and Justin Thurman, tight end James Flanigan, defensive ends CJ May and Joseph Reiff, defensive tackle Davion Dixon, and cornerback Cree Thomas.