Indiana commit will take visits

Four-star cornerback Raymon Taylor of Highland Park, Mich., picked off seven passes as a junior, then went out and dominated several winter combines. The 5-10, 170-pound prospect's stock rose quickly, but Taylor did not wait around to see how many offers he could accumulate.

Taylor had several Big Ten and Big East offers on the table, with many more BCS Conference schools interested in evaluating him at their camps, but he committed to Indiana in June. He was in Bloomington this past weekend to see the Hoosiers in action.

"I was at the Michigan-Indiana game," Taylor said. "It was great because it was loud and crazy. I wish they would have won, but I guess we'll get them next year.

"They played against a great Michigan team and I know they surprised a lot of people. The offense is great, they just need a couple more players on defense and we can be great, maybe make it to a couple of Rose Bowls. I think we should be one of the best teams in the Big Ten coming up."

Taylor is one of two four-star defensive commitments on the Hoosier's 2011 commitment list, the other being Ohio linebacker Zack Shaw. Taylor is working to get to know his fellow Indiana commitments better, and expects to add to their ranks before National Signing Day.

"I know a couple months ago they had a commitment picnic, but I didn't get a chance to make it," Taylor said. "I guess we are all coming down for another game and that's when they will have all of us sit down and talk to each other. Coach [George] Ricumstrict is supposed to tell all of the commitments that we are going to meet down there."

Ricumstrict is Taylor's primary recruiting contact at Indiana and based on their conversations the Detroit prospect is excited about his potential to contribute early for the Hoosiers.

"They want me to try and graduate early so I can learn the plays," Taylor said. "They want me to play, but it depends on how I come in and react to everything. They said if I do everything I am supposed to do, I should be able to start."

Although he has made a commitment to Indiana, Taylor still plans to take advantage of his five NCAA allotted official visits. A couple Big Ten programs are among the schools that continue to recruit Taylor and could host him for an official visit.

"I definitely will take my official visits, but right now I am sticking with Indiana 100 percent," Taylor said. "Right now it's going to be Illinois and probably Iowa because they've been talking to me a lot. My third one will definitely go to Indiana.

"I'll see how the campuses look compared to Indiana, see what players are at my position and things like that."

Highland Park started off their 2010 season 1-3, but they beat Inkster in week five before heading into a bye week and are still alive for the postseason.

"We're really coming along as a team," Taylor said. "We've turned it around and are looking pretty good right now."

Taylor has played outside linebacker, safety and cornerback on defense this fall to counter opposing offense's efforts to work away from him. On offense he has moved from wide receiver over to running back and is putting up solid numbers from that position.

"Most games I have been over 100 yards," Taylor said. "I only have one interception because they only threw it to my side one time and that was in the first game."