Leonard

Taylor

A premium five-star recruit who was rated as the fourth overall prospect in the nation from the 2021 prep cycle, Taylor (6’034/303) proved he was ready to contribute right away by playing in nine games recording 200 snaps, 10 stops, and 8.5 TFLs. The Honorable Mention All-ACC performer was slated to make the leap to stardom this year, but he shifted to play more in the A-gap (202-of-341 snaps) which caused Taylor some growing pains, recording a 28 percent missed tackle rate and ghastly 33rd percentile tackle rate. His ability to bring pressure is awe-inspiring when he’s engaged, as is evidenced by his 82.1 PFF pass rush grade. However, Taylor recorded 11 of his 21 pressures against hapless opponents Bethune Cookman and Temple and just six pressures against the six ACC opponents he squared off against in 2023. His combine testing was above average with a 1.75s 10-yard split, a 30” vertical, and a 9’01” broad jump for a respectable 7.29 Relative Athletic Score. While Taylor possesses the raw strength and natural twitch to be a menace in pass sets, he tends to get knocked off his rush path when he foregoes balance for speed.

Taylor (6'4/255) is still relatively new on the scene with the Hurricanes, but big things could be in store for the sophomore this fall. Taylor was one of four players that Anthony Treash of Pro Football Focus included in his list of potential defensive line breakout candidates. Taylor totaled 21 tackles (seven solo), two sacks and one pass defended in 2021.

The deal with Life Wallet is worth $50k. Life Wallet is a service that allows people to take control of their health by allowing access to medical and prescription information. Taylor (6'4"/255) is a five-star recruit that committed to the Hurricanes in August and is the No. 27 overall prospect according to 247Sports composite board.

Taylor (6'4/255) opted in with the Hurricanes over fellow finalist Florida. Of interesting note, 247Sports’ Andrew Ivins relayed in mid-July that while the Gators actually looked to have the edge in this recruitment, Miami was doing fantastic work to make headway on the virtual trail after the NCAA put a pandemic-forced dead period into effect back in mid-March. And that work has now paid off. On the field, the Miami native provides real pass-rushing chops on the interior, thanks to his quick-twitch movements and length. The 247Sports composite board sees Taylor home as the No. 27 overall prospect in the 2021 class. Miami has landed two five-star prospects over the past two-plus weeks in Taylor and ATH James Williams.

Just two programs will be in on this one, as the 6-foot-4, 255-pound Taylor has whittled his field all the way down to Miami and Florida. 247Sports’ Andrew Ivins notes that while Florida looks to be the favorite in this race, the Hurricanes have “found some footing in the recruitment ever since the NCAA put a temporary recruiting dead period in place.” Ivins colleague Charles Power comps Taylor’s game loosely to that of former Alabama star -- and current New York Jet -- Quinnen Williams. On the 247Sports composite board, Taylor hits the ground running as the No. 28 overall prospect in the 2021 class.

Miami and Florida go head-to-head on prospects quite a bit, but this is their biggest battle in a while. Taylor is rated as one of the top defensive linemen in the country, and 247Sports ranks the 6-foot-4, 255-pound defender as the top defensive tackle in the class; fourth among all prospects regardless of position. No word yet as to when Taylor will decide, but now that he’s down to just the two schools, a decision could be coming soon.