“It would mean the world”: 2027 QB Trae Taylor once talked about receiving potential offer from Marcus Freeman’s Notre Dame

Trae Taylor, a standout quarterback from the 2027 recruiting class, is eagerly anticipating a potential scholarship offer from Marcus Freeman's Notre Dame football program. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound signal-caller from Carmel Catholic in Mundelein, Illinois, has already received offers from top-tier programs such as Colorado, Miami, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Ole Miss.

Taylor spent June attending camps at 15 different schools, including Notre Dame, which has captured his interest significantly. Taylor expressed his enthusiasm for Notre Dame, revealing that the Fighting Irish are high on his list of preferred destinations.

In an interview with On3’s Mike Singer last month, Taylor mentioned his intention to return to Notre Dame for a game-day visit. He also plans to visit other big-name programs like Michigan, LSU, Purdue, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Illinois, West Virginia, and Iowa.

Talking about Notre Dame's recruitment strategy, Taylor said:

“They said they will not offer any 2027 quarterbacks until after three games of our sophomore year. They have said they fully expect that I’ll be one of the quarterbacks that they will offer. It would mean the world if I got that offer.”

He had nothing but good words to say about his camp experience at Notre Dame, noting what it would be like to represent the school.

“Notre Dame is a very special place. Anyone would be lucky to play there,” he noted.

Trae Taylor attended Irish Invasion earlier this month, participated in a prospect camp last summer, and visited the campus multiple times, including for a spring practice in April. Reflecting on his visits, Taylor said,

“I have spent a lot of time there. And the campus might be one of the best-looking campuses I have ever been on. Everything seems almost perfect.”

Having received 22 scholarship offers in total, Taylor's visits to other schools will happen before making his commitment.

Trae Taylor signs NIL deal with Leaf trading cards

Trae Taylor has signed a NIL contract with Leaf Trading Cards, and he used Illinois' law for high school athletes to earn a profit without having to give up their name, image, and likeness. The agreement, which was unveiled by On3’s Steve Wiltfong, is valued at a cost ranging from $100,000 to $200,000 for five years.

He follows the footsteps of fellow top 2027 quarterback Peyton Houston, who inked the deal with Leaf in May. Since NIL regulations changed in 2021, trading card companies have actively pursued top high school talent. Leaf has signed several high-profile athletes, including Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava and USC’s Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams.

Trae joins an elite group of high school signees, including USC commit Julian Lewis, Florida quarterback DJ Lagway, and Tennessee commit George MacIntyre.