The college coaching carousel has certainly made the last couple weeks a whirlwind for Highland Park senior Raymon Taylor. Originally committed to Indiana, Taylor re-opened his recruitment when Hoosiers coach Bill Lynch had “former” added to his title.

Former Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez and his staff offered Taylor a scholarship, relatively late in the game, in December.

Despite growing up a Wolverines fan, the uncertainty surrounding the coaching situation made Taylor hesitant to make a decision at the time. That hesitation proved to be justified. But after meeting with new coach Brady Hoke less than a week ago, Taylor committed to Michigan.

"Michigan has always been my dream school, but I wanted to see how the coaching staff was, and what was best for me and my family,” said Taylor, who grew up idolizing former Wolverines receiver Braylon Edwards.

Taylor was Mr. Everything for Highland Park as a senior. He played wide receiver, returned punts and kicks and filled in at tailback when the Polar Bears' starter was injured. He was recruited as a defensive back, where he was a first team Division 3-4 All-State selection.

Highland Park coach Cedric Dertch said he could tell the minute Taylor stepped onto the field that cornerback was his natural position.

“Automatically, even as a freshman you could tell he had a special athleticism," Dertch said. "Then, the past couple of years, he’s put the work in.”

Highland Park is a place where Taylor never had to look hard for motivation to work harder. Taylor said being in a community rampant with crime and poverty made him strive for more.

“My dad and uncle always say, ‘You gotta get out the 'hood’…Some guys on the street come up and they’ll put their arm around you and say, ‘Don’t do what I did.’ I just always looked at it like I don’t want to be one of those guys on the street,” Taylor said.

Taylor wouldn’t mind being like one his good friends from back home on the field, however: Michigan State running back Edwin Baker, who led the Spartans in rushing last year with 1,201 yards.

Baker and Taylor were good friends growing up in Highland Park and they still talk a bit and text back and forth.

The 5-foot-11 Taylor says he’s bulked up to 180 pounds from around 170 this summer. That's still about 30 pounds lighter than Baker, but Taylor says he’d still welcome the opportunity to square off with him on the field.

Their fathers, Taylor said, would love it even more.

“His dad and my dad would be going at it,” Taylor said. “Talking all sort of stuff.”

Pete Cunningham covers sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at petercunningham@annarbor.com or by phone at 734-623-2561. Follow him on Twitter @petcunningham