The less-discussed news of Tuesday’s coaching moves at Notre Dame was that running backs coach Lance Taylor had been promoted to run game coordinator.
Taylor was only a hired last January but already made an impact, perhaps the biggest way being in bringing in talent to the running back position that hasn’t been seen in the Brian Kelly era.
Chris Tyree signed his letter of intent in December and was immediately the highest ranked running back to choose Notre Dame in Kelly’s now decade on the job. Fast-forward a month and the Irish and Taylor specifically, appear set on getting a commitment from another highly-couveted all purpose back.
According to a Mike Singer report at Blue Gold Illustrated, Taylor will be in North Carolina on Friday when the recruiting dead period is lifted and is expected to make a visit to see Will Shipley, the nation’s number-one all purpose back in 2021.
Taylor has already met face-to-face with Shipley five times according to the same report, most of those meetings coming in North Carolina.
Shipley is listed at 6-1, 220 pounds and was named the Gatorade Player of the Year in North Carolina after a junior season that saw him rush for more than 2000 yards and 30 touchdowns while hauling in 582 receiving yards and eight more scores by reception. It all led to Weddington’s second-straight state championship.
Will Shipley may not choose Notre Dame ultimately but it won’t be because of a lack of an effort by Lance Taylor.