Alabama’s football program, led by head coach Kalen DeBoer, has become increasingly hopeful in its pursuit of four-star cornerback Ivan Taylor, a top Michigan commitment. Recruiting expert Steve Wiltfong from On3 shared insight into Taylor’s potential shift to Alabama, as the Crimson Tide has remained persistent in their interest in him. Taylor, who previously committed to Notre Dame before choosing Michigan, continues to attract Alabama’s attention as one of the program’s top defensive targets. Wiltfong recently stated his belief that Alabama could ultimately succeed in flipping Taylor from Michigan, which would be a significant addition to their recruiting class, currently ranked first in the nation according to On3.
A standout from West Orange High School in Winter Garden, Florida, Taylor is rated as the seventh-best safety in the country and the ninth-highest recruit out of Florida, per 247Sports Composite rankings. With his impressive defensive skills, Taylor is seen as an ideal future asset for Alabama, potentially filling a critical role in the secondary, an area that has posed challenges for the Crimson Tide throughout the current season. Taylor’s recruitment would not only strengthen the Tide’s defense but could also attract additional commitments from other high-level recruits, further addressing the team’s needs in the secondary.
Adding to Alabama’s optimism, Taylor was thoroughly impressed by his experience at the Alabama-LSU game held in Death Valley. The atmosphere reportedly left a strong impression on him, with Wiltfong explaining that Taylor was captivated by the electric environment of the game, describing the stadium as “shaking” with excitement. This intense atmosphere and his positive experience have contributed to Taylor’s growing interest in Alabama, which could influence his decision.
Though Taylor enjoyed his visit to Alabama, he remains cautious and is not in a rush to make any final decisions. Michigan’s performance in their remaining games, particularly a crucial matchup against Oregon, will likely impact his final commitment. Alabama, in turn, will need to focus on maintaining a strong finish to its season in hopes of securing Taylor’s commitment.
