5-star DT Taylor chooses Hurricanes over Gators
In another South Florida recruiting battleground victory for the Miami Hurricanes, Miami Palmetto five-star defensive tackle Leonard Taylor chose UM over the Florida Gators in a decision announced on CBS Sports HQ on Thursday.
“For the next three to four years of my college life, I’ll be attending the University of Miami,” Taylor said on the live stream in a CBS studio as he pulled out a Hurricanes cap with family around him. “Go ‘Canes!”
Taylor is rated as high as the nation’s top defensive tackle and No. 4 player overall by 247 Sports. That’s the highest national ranking any Miami recruit has had since offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson in 2010 (No. 2, Rivals).
Taylor’s commitment gives UM a second five-star prospect in its 2021 recruiting class, joining American Heritage safety James Williams. Should they both sign, it’ll be the first time the Hurricanes bring in a pair of five-star recruits in the same class since 2012, when running back Duke Johnson, out of Miami Norland, and cornerback Tracy Howard, from Miramar, both inked with Miami.
“Having a good connection with the Dline coach [Todd Stroud], [head coach] Manny Diaz, talking to them, telling me what I’m going to play. I might be able to play as a freshman,” Taylor told the South Florida Sun Sentinel of what he likes about
UM before the announcement. “Coach Stroud, he’s a great man. He looks out for me all the time.”
He added on the broadcast: “Being down the street from my mom, the academic-wise [led to my decision]. … I think they’re recruiting a lot of players from down south, so why not just play here? Put on for my own city.”
Taylor, the first five-star defensive lineman to commit to Miami since Chad Thomas in 2014, becomes the third of the highly coveted “Palmetto Five” to commit to the Hurricanes this recruiting cycle. Fellow defensive tackle Savion Collins and slot receiver Brashard Smith are already committed. Miami is also in contention for cornerback Jason Marshall and safety Corey Collier.
“He is what you call a dog. He’s a nice kid, but once he straps that helmet on and gets across those white lines, he kind of changes,” Palmetto coach Mike Manasco said of Taylor. “If he does what he’s supposed to do, and I know he will, he’ll play on Sundays. He’s that kind of kid.”
At 6 foot 4 and around 285 pounds, Manasco touts Taylor’s athleticism that allows him the versatility to line up anywhere on the defensive line.
“He can be a wide-9 rush defensive end at a major college if he wanted to be,” Manasco said. “His hands, his explosiveness, his hips, his footwork — he’s a total package when it comes to what a high school defensive lineman should look like.”
While possessing that versatility, lining up at the 3-technique between the offensive guard and tackle is where Taylor figures to make his mark at the next level.
“At end, I’ll probably get way more sacks. I can beat a lineman out there with speed, but at the 3-technique, I’ll get in there with the big dogs and go make a power rush play,” he said.
Miami’s recruiting class is ranked No. 8 by 247 Sports and No. 9 by Rivals in team rankings. It’s back to 21 commitments after threestar Miami Northwestern outside linebacker Ja’Corey Hammett, on Wednesday, decommitted to pledge with West Virginia.