Taylor to miss ’Canes’ spring ball with injury

CORAL GABLES — Two key Hurricanes defensive linemen missed the first day of Miami’s spring practice, and one will miss all of UM’s spring ball.

Junior defensive tackle Leonard Taylor is out with an injury for the entirety of spring practices, and fourth-year junior defensive end Akheem Mesidor will miss some of the Hurricanes’ practices due to an injury, Miami coach Mario Cristobal said Saturday.

Miami did not disclose the nature of the players’ injuries.

“Mesidor will be ready maybe halfway through spring ball,” Cristobal said. “He’s doing very limited work right now with the team. His is more minor. ... I wouldn’t say Leonard’s is major, but Leonard will require all of spring to heal up. He’ll be full go probably at the beginning of May.”

Mesidor and Taylor were major contributors to UM’s defense last year. Mesidor had 38 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and a team-leading seven sacks. He also had four pass deflections and a forced fumble. Taylor had 24 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and an interception.

Jason Taylor’s title revealed: The Hurricanes have yet to officially announce Pro Football Hall of Famer Jason Taylor’s promotion, but Cristobal did mention the new Miami assistant coach’s title.

Cristobal said Taylor, who was a defensive analyst last season, is the team’s defensive line coach. Joe Salave’a, who came to Miami from Oregon with Cristobal last year, will also coach the team’s defensive line.

“We’ve got a lot of coaches,” Cristobal said.

Taylor fills the void left by Rod Wright, who coached the Hurricanes’ defensive ends last season. Wright left to take a position with the Houston Texans.

Kahlil Brantley announces transfer intentions: On the first day of Miami’s spring practices, it lost a player to the transfer portal.

Kahlil Brantley, a tight end entering his third season, announced he was transferring away from UM. He announced his decision on his Twitter account.

Brantley is the 20th player to leave the Hurricanes via the transfer portal since the end of last season.

“I want to thank coach Cristobal and the Miami coaching staff for allowing me the opportunity to be a part of my hometown team,” Brantley wrote. “I will always be Miami in heart, and I’ll forever represent my city wherever I am. With that being said, I will be entering the transfer portal.”

Brantley, an Opa-Locka native who attended Miami Northwestern High, was rated a three-star prospect out of high school. He had five catches and 28 receiving yards with one touchdown in his two seasons with the Hurricanes.

Brantley played in 13 games in his Miami career, getting 82 career offensive snaps at UM. He earned a 71.5 offensive grade from Pro Football Focus last season.

The Hurricanes return Elijah Arroyo, Jaleel Skinner and Dominic Mammarelli at tight end (though Arroyo is coming off a season-ending injury last year). Miami also added transfer tight end Cam McCormick and freshmen tight ends Jackson Carver and Riley Williams. All three new tight ends are enrolled and practicing with the Hurricanes.

Cohen misses first practice: A key addition to UM’s roster was not in Miami for the Hurricanes’ first spring practice.

Offensive lineman Javion Cohen was not in attendance on Saturday, as he was attending an NFL symposium for highly rated underclassmen in Indianapolis, according to a UM spokesperson.

Cohen, who transferred to Miami from Alabama, started 25 games for the Crimson Tide in three seasons. Last year, he earned a 72.6 offensive grade, an 80.8 pass-blocking grade and a 68.9 run-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus.

Freshmen, transfers get numbers assigned: With the Hurricanes’ new roster comes the official number assignments for this year’s team.

Additionally, several returning players changed their numbers:

Cornerback Te’Cory Couch (No. 0), wide receiver Brashard Smith (No. 0), cornerback Daryl Porter (No. 2), defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor (No. 3), wide receiver Colbie Young (No. 4), safety Kamren Kinchens (No. 5), defensive lineman Nyjalik Kelly (No. 9), wide receiver Michael Redding III (No. 13), safety Markeith Williams (No. 15), safety James Williams (No. 20) and defensive lineman Ahmad Moten (No. 99).