The Miami Hurricanes‘ recruiting hot streak has continued, as they’ve acquired another highly touted recruit from South Florida.
Miami Palmetto five-star defensive tackle Leonard Taylor, who narrowed his decision between the University of Miami and the Florida Gators in July, announced on CBS Sports HQ that he’ll be wearing orange and green at the next level of his football career.
The 6-foot-4, 255-pound Taylor is the nation’s No. 3 defensive tackle and No. 27 overall recruit in the 2021 class, according to the 247Sports Composite. He recorded 11 sacks, 26 tackles for loss and 68 tackles in 2019, alongside Hurricanes defensive tackle commit Savion Collins. His electric season earned him a Miami Herald All-Dade 8A-6A first-team selection.
Taylor’s combination of speed, length and power allows him to dominate opposing offensive linemen. His versatile playstyle is similar to former UM defensive lineman Chad Thomas. Both Thomas and Taylor use their length and athleticism to disrupt passing lanes and garner tackles for loss. And much like Taylor envisions, Thomas was selected in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns after four-years at Miami.
Taylor becomes the second five-star recruit to give his verbal pledge to the Hurricanes, joining American Heritage athlete James Williams. The last time the Canes had two five-stars committed was back in 2012, with running back Duke Johnson and cornerback Tracy Howard.
With the addition of Taylor, Miami has received its third commitment — Collins and three-star receiver Brashard Smith — from the beloved ‘Palmetto Five’. Five-star cornerback Jason Marshall, who’s rumored to commit soon, and four-star safety Corey Collier, who’s set to commit on August 10, both have the Hurricanes in their top school’s lists.
Coach Manny Diaz’s 2021 recruiting class now holds 21 commitments and has jumped back into the top ten of the 247Sports Composite Team Rankings.
