I think you’re mixing up Ian and Steve. Ian was season 14 and played a really good game.
First and foremost, I don't hate Ian. He comes off as kind of a **** in interviews, but I like the kid and his passion for the game that I love. That being said....
I'm 100% definitely not mixing them up. Ian played an average at best game and I wouldn't even say he was top 4 in his own season. Steve played a much better game.
If it wasn't for the coach's twist, Ian might not have even lasted past week 1. Ian then become Britney's puppet and when that got absolutely blown up thanks to Dan's funeral he became Dan's puppet. An example of this is when Dan convinced him to throw the final HOH part 1 comp!
He had very little social capital and became a non entity until he started winning comps to save his life down the end. This was back when the comps weren't so physical but credit to him for winning them. He basically pulled a Kevin Martin to the end (BBCan5 reference). However if you have to win comps to advance you already have played a poor social game. He also likely leaves in week 7 after the BB funeral if it weren't for a lucky second veto ball fall into his lap.
He did have a strong jury showing and picked the only guy he could beat given the bitter jury. So credit to him for that.
I'd say he's in the lower half of the 16 rumored names for this season. Can he win again? Yes, but it's not likely. The comps have gotten so much more physical in late seasons especially down the stretch. Something like 27% of last season's were mental comps and it used to be 50/50.