Michigan scored a massive recruiting victory Monday when Winter Garden (Fla.) West Orange safety Ivan Taylor flipped his commitment from Notre Dame to the Wolverines. In so doing, Taylor becomes the highest-rated member of Sherrone Moore's inaugural 2025 class at No. 41 overall in the Top247. Taylor's commitment moves Michigan into the top 15 of the 247Sports Composite Team Recruiting Rankings; Michigan began June at No. 41. 

It was the June 21 official visit that ultimately gave Michigan the momentum it needed to get over the top. Taylor's second trip to Ann Arbor allowed him the time he needed to connect with his would-be football family on a more personal level.

"I like Coach Wink, I like Coach Morgan, and I like Coach Moore," Taylor told The Michigan Insider. "I think they're all great people and it was a really good time on the official visit getting to know them and getting to know their families as well."

Not surprisingly, the coach whom Taylor has forged the strongest connection with is his future position coach Lamar Morgan.

"Me and coach Morgan could have talked ball for days," Taylor said reflecting upon the official. "We were in there just talking, learning the plays, what they do, what their system is, and where I'll be in their system."

"They said (I'd play) the free safety position. A lot of colleges have been saying nickel, and I think they're really the first ones to say free safety."

That's where Taylor's exceptional football I.Q. can be put to the greatest use. As the son of two-time Super Bowl champion cornerback Ike Taylor, he thinks the game like a pro. That has obvious appeal to Martindale who impressed Taylor with his candor and matter-of-fact way.

"He's a very transparent guy," Taylor said of Martindale. "He's going to tell you the ins and outs. We were in a meeting… and everyone was in the meeting… It was a defensive meeting. He just said he's here to win. And I love that he said no matter where you come from, (whether you're a) five-star or four-star, we're putting the best players on the field to win."

That sentiment was echoed by the man who is the tone setter in Ann Arbor, and the man Taylor ultimately decided he wanted to be his head coach.

"(Sherrone Moore) is a very genuine guy," said Taylor. "If you ask all the staff, no one has anything bad to say about him. No one outside has said anything bad about him. You could tell he's just a good guy. I think a lot are doubting him because of what happened last season and that he's only done it for three games, but we'll see this season."

Stay tuned to The Michigan Insider for more on Ivan Taylor in the hours and days to come. In the meantime, here's his official scouting report from 247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins (evaluated 05/25/2023):

A high-IQ safety prospect with elite NFL bloodlines and a top-flight testing profile. Measured roughly 6-foot, 170 pounds spring before junior campaign, clocking a 4.5-second effort in the 40-yard dash that day to go along with a 4.25-second short shuttle. Quick-footed with plenty of agility. Has spent most of prep career working in a two-deep system and has shown that he can get where he needs to be. Competitive at the catch point and does a nice job of turning his head to find the football. A sound open-field tackler at this stage that will launch at legs and get ball carries on the ground. However, needs to get a little bit better at getting off blocks and sifting through traffic. Will eventually need to add some mass and improve play strength, but should be viewed as a potential multi-year starter for a top 25 program. Likely to find a home at the third level of a defense, but sticky enough in man-coverage possibly warrant a look as an inside corner on Saturdays.