Ike Taylor (born May 5, 1980) was a cornerback who played his entire 12-year NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, after being drafted in the fourth round (125th overall) in 2003. Despite being academically ineligible for his first two years at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, he walked onto the team, played tailback, and switched to cornerback for his senior season—a move that showcased his rare speed (timed at 4.18 in the 40-yard dash). His selection was initially ridiculed by Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writer Mark Madden, but Taylor proved his worth, recording 32 tackles as a rookie and his first career interception in 2004. He became a key defensive starter, known for his physicality, and later transitioned to a post-playing career as an analyst for the NFL Network.