Ivan Taylor, Marcus Freeman’s son and a former wide receiver for the Steelers, commits to Notre Dame.

As the top-ranked recruit in Notre Dame’s 2025 class, four-star cornerback Ivan Taylor committed to head coach Marcus Freeman’s program on Friday (per ESPN’s Blake Baumgartner).

Taylor is the son of former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor, who played for 12 seasons and won two Super Bowls.

The younger Taylor considered playing for the Fighting Irish after previously considering Alabama, Florida State, Florida, and Miami.

As a sophomore for West Orange High School in Florida in 2022, he broke up eight passes and registered 65 tackles along with three interceptions. He competed in track at the prep level as well, and according to 247Sports, he has a 40-yard dash time of 4.5 seconds.

He is a promising prospect because of his speed, agility, and good tackling technique. Taylor, who has played safety and cornerback in the past, is versatile enough to play across the secondary.

Though he’s worked hard to carve out a legacy for himself apart from his father—as evidenced by his July statement to ESPN that “I’m my own player”—he’s still consulted his father about the kind of preparation that NFL players usually undergo.

Taylor stated, via Baumgartner, “I would say that the best lesson he has taught me is to be humble and work hard.” “I’m really embracing the Taylor name. What my dad learned in the NFL, he has imparted to me. He’s teaching me about NFL coaches, what it’s like, what you have to go through, and how everything works, so I feel like I’m already ahead of the game.”

In the future, Freeman will be hoping that the youthful defensive back will contribute to strengthening a potent defensive unit. This season, Notre Dame has allowed the ninth-fewest points per game in the nation, at just 16.58.