Promising quarterback recruit Trae Taylor has made an early commitment to play for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, even though he won’t be eligible to officially sign for quite some time. His announcement on Thursday signals Nebraska’s continued efforts to bolster its future quarterback lineup with top-tier talent.
Although Taylor cannot formally sign a National Letter of Intent until the early signing window in December 2026, the verbal commitment marks a significant milestone in Nebraska’s long-term recruiting strategy. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound signal-caller is widely regarded as one of the premier talents in the Class of 2027.
Taylor emerged as a standout during his sophomore season at Carmel Catholic High School in Illinois, where he threw for over 3,000 yards and logged 20 touchdowns, despite facing some adversity with seven interceptions. These numbers solidified his reputation and helped him rise through the recruiting rankings.
According to 247Sports’ composite rankings, Taylor sits as the No. 35 overall recruit nationally. He ranks as the third-best quarterback in his class and is rated the second-highest prospect from the state of Illinois, making him a high-value acquisition for any collegiate program.
In a conversation with ESPN, Taylor shared insights into his recruiting journey, which began unusually early—starting as far back as sixth grade. He mentioned receiving his first scholarship offer from Maryland just a year later, highlighting how long he has been on the radar of major programs.
Despite interest from other big-name schools such as Illinois, LSU, and Texas A&M, Taylor chose Nebraska and stated he does not intend to make visits to other campuses. His decision seems rooted in a strong connection to the Cornhuskers’ program and coaching staff.
Taylor spoke highly of Nebraska quarterbacks coach Glenn Thomas, citing their discussion about the offensive system and development of current starter Dylan Raiola as key factors in his decision. He expressed excitement about how the program could prepare him for a successful future.
While Taylor acknowledged the challenge of committing so far in advance, he emphasized his enthusiasm for joining Nebraska. Although the wait until signing day will be long, he’s already envisioning his future under center in Lincoln.