2025 4-star safety Ivan Taylor commits to Notre Dame: 'I can't wait to be part of it'

Ivan Taylor was a name early in the recruiting process. The four-star safety out of Winter Garden (Fla.) West Orange had national offers from top programs, but after camping in South Bend in June and leaving with that offer from Notre Dame, the Irish quickly became a school high on his list.

He wasn’t thinking about committing yet though. Taylor went back for a cookout in July before returning for the Pittsburgh game late in October. When he left that visit, he felt like that could be his future home.

The No. 98 prospect in the 2025 On3 Industry Rankings returned for the Wake Forest game in November and has committed to Notre Dame over the likes of Florida State, Louisville, Tennessee and USC.

“It was different with Notre Dame,” Taylor told On3. “I am thankful for every offer, but not all coaches communicate and recruit the same. Notre Dame was different and that was hands-down the biggest thing with me.

“I have great relationships with Coach Chris O’Leary, Coach Mike Mickens, Coach Marcus Freeman and Coach Chad Bowden. They put in the time, they put in the effort and they prioritized me. That showed me a lot, that meant something to me and that was a very big part of my decision.”

It started at Irish Invasion. Then on Aug. 1, Notre Dame was the first school to call. South Bend fit Taylor too. That is where he wants to be.

“It is a great atmosphere to be in. The campus is full of smart people and the people are great around campus and they are the kind of people I want to surround myself with.

“Then you have all of the history and tradition. When I got there for the first time over the summer, it was all new to me. I didn’t know how deep the history went, what the culture was like, and now, after visiting four times, I can’t wait to be a part of it.”

The Notre Dame staff and religion were big factors for Taylor

O’Leary was the lead recruiter, but multiple coaches factored into this decision. They were easy to talk to. Taylor trusts in them. He wants to be around Freeman and his staff on and off the field.

“Coach Freeman is like another friend,” Taylor said. “He and the other coaches make me feel comfortable. On the field, Coach Freeman is about football and a great coach. Off the field, he is a great guy to talk to and be around. I feel that with all the coaches at Notre Dame.

“They know when we are on the field, we get down to business. Then they can flip the switch and be fun to be around. It is cool to have a staff like that. I just like what they are about.”

The new Notre Dame commit likes what the school is about too. That helped him get to this point.

“I love that Notre Dame is a Catholic school. I am catholic, I am big on religion and I will get to practice my faith up there. God played a big part in this decision. I prayed on it, I asked for confirmation and I felt it.”