2022 DB Bobby Taylor Grateful for Notre Dame Offer

Notre Dame has made a significant effort to recruit Texas harder in recent years. 

On Tuesday, the Fighting Irish dipped into Katy, one of the to programs in the state, to offer 2022 defensive back and Notre Dame legacy Bobby Taylor‍. 

"I had been waiting on for it since going to camp and they've really been recruiting our area," Taylor told Irish Sports Daily. "I know Notre Dame's process is a little slower, so when it finally hit - I don't even know. I'm going to get back up there eventually." 

Taylor's father was a consensus All-American in 1994 at Notre Dame and the 6-foot-1, 180-pounder is well-aware of his father's success in South Bend.

The offer from Notre Dame meant a great deal to Taylor on a personal level, but it’s not a given he ends up in South Bend. 

Taylor appreciates Notre Dame and the opportunities it gave his father, but he also wants to make sure he finds the best school to develop him as a person and player.

"Having to live up to the legacy, finally getting the offer, I can say I got it," said Taylor. "I embrace it, but at the same time, I want to make a name for myself. People are always like, 'Your dad went to Notre Dame.' 

"I show honor with that, but I definitely want to make a name for myself."

The Irish now join the race as around 25 other programs have also offered Taylor, including the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Baylor, Florida State, LSU, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, TCU, Texas, Texas A&M and USC. 

"It's a blessing that I can wake up and say I have an offer from this or that school," Taylor said. "I look at it as a blessing. I have to keep working." 

The in-state schools and the Sooners have hosted Taylor along with Notre Dame, but at this point, the Katy star wide open to all schools. 

"I've been talking with a lot of local schools," explained Taylor. "Texas A&M, Houston, Oklahoma and Texas. The newest offers, I'm talking to those coaches and building relationships." 

Taylor's relationships with the staff will be vital in his recruitment as he hopes to play early at his future school.

"It's really important because whatever school I decide to commit to, I want to play my freshman year," stated Taylor. "That's really big for me. I want to build a relationship with that coach and when it's time to get on the field, I can play as a freshman." 

The transition to college will be a jump, but Taylor has prepared himself for it in a sense. 

Last summer, Taylor transferred from Houston Heights to Katy, a program that has won State eight times and been to the 15 State Championship games.

In addition to a new school, Taylor didn't play varsity as a freshman, so he had to raise his game to another level as soon as he arrived at Katy.

"It was a big transition," Taylor explained. "It was also my first year of playing varsity, so the competition and practice level really changed for me. It was eye-opening, but at the same time, it was a learning experience. I can't thank God enough for putting me in that position." 

The move to Katy has worked for the better as Taylor feels he has greatly improved his game since he camped at Notre Dame last summer. 

"My press technique has gotten way better from where it was and now, I'm working on my off-man, which was one of my weaknesses," said Taylor. "By the time the season starts, I should have everything down."