​Rivals has updated its recruiting rankings—the Rivals300—for the 2027 cycle, and Millard South (Neb.) quarterback Trae Taylor has clinched his fifth star, as expected. The elite Nebraska commit has enjoyed a standout offseason, not only presenting himself well at camps and on 7-on-7 circuits but also earning Rivals MVP honors at the Elite 11 Finals, one of the most prestigious accolades a senior quarterback can receive. All of this has contributed to a dramatic rise in the Rivals300, where Taylor has jumped from No. 71 to No. 17.
As a junior at Carmel Catholic (Ill.), Taylor demonstrated a prolific season, throwing for more than 3,500 yards and 38 touchdowns against only three interceptions. He also contributed on the ground with 12 rushing touchdowns and more than 600 rushing yards. For his senior year, Taylor has transferred to Millard South, a powerhouse program in Nebraska. He has emerged as a vocal recruiter and is building momentum toward Lincoln ahead of his early enrollment with the Huskers. Taylor committed to Nebraska more than a year ago, in May.
“The biggest statement that people always say, but isn’t put out there enough: I want to bring Nebraska back again,” Taylor told Rivals’ Josh Newberg this spring. “Everybody says that but they always have their different reasons. It’s not because of the winning—obviously, to bring Nebraska back you have to win. I think the biggest thing…the culture, it’s a blue-chip school. Everybody knows about it from the 90s; let’s make it relevant in the (2020s).”
Taylor is one of three Nebraska commits featured in the top 100 of the Rivals300, and the Huskers boast a top-20 class in Rivals’ Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. It all begins with this blue-chip passer.
Rivals’ Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power offers this assessment of Taylor as a prospect: He is a well-rounded, polished signal-caller with one of the stronger arms in the 2027 class. Standing just under 6-foot-3 and around 200 pounds with 9.25-inch hands prior to his senior season, he combines high-end arm talent with refinement. His release is whippy, uncoiling quickly to generate fast arm action, and he added arm strength over the offseason before his senior year. He can drive the ball to all areas of the field with palpable zip, delivering tight spirals that cut through the wind. He is accurate in multiple settings and has proven to be consistently reliable as a passer. He threw for over 3,300 yards and 36 touchdowns against five interceptions as a junior, and he earned Rivals MVP honors at the Elite 11 Finals in the offseason before his senior year. While he shows the ability to extend plays, he is most comfortable working within structure. His rushing ability and overall athleticism improved from his sophomore to junior year. His default arm slot sits in the ¾ to side-arm range. The notable late-career improvement is viewed positively, and he remains one of the premier quarterbacks in the 2027 cycle.