Second Year DB Ivan Taylor: “If you Come to Alabama, You Like Hard Challenges”

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Alabama held its media day on Saturday, August 8, with select players available to the media. Tide 100.9 asked several players about their summer workouts and conditioning with the team, and every player had the same answer: It was horrible.

Get our free mobile app

Strength and conditioning coach David Ballou pushed Alabama's roster to its limit over the summer after an offseason of media and fans questioning the toughness of the Crimson Tide. Sophomore defensive back Ivan Taylor embraced the challenge, though, saying that putting in the work during the dog days of summer is why you come to Alabama.

"It was horrible. It truly was, but it was good, and it was needed," Taylor said on Saturday at the Mal Moore Practice Facility. "I think if you come to Alabama, you like hard challenges, and that's one of the things you have to go through.

"It's an eye opener. Freshmen coming here think it's going to be easy, but it's not. It's really a grind and a challenge, and you have to be mentally tough to be here. That's what people outside don't know, like this is really a mental game.

"That's why I came here. That's why we're playing football. You've got media who sometimes are gonna talk good, sometimes gonna talk bad; you gotta make sure that, no matter what, you stay level-headed. The biggest thing for me is embracing it. Embracing the bad. It's good."

Taylor is entering his second season at Alabama after appearing in 15 games last season for the Crimson Tide, totaling 14 tackles and a pass breakup on special teams and rotating in with the Tide's defense. He is the son of former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Ike Taylor.

Entering year two, Taylor wants to see an increased role and believes he's ready for the next step.

"I want to make plays; my energy level is going to be high. Make sure you know when I make a play."

Alabama returns to the practice field on Sunday, August 9, and opens the season on Saturday, September 5 against East Carolina.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.