Miami football continues to surge in 2021 recruiting with the commitment of 5-star defensive tackle Leonard Taylor.
Taylor, a Miami native, committed to Miami on Thursday. The 6-foot-4, 255-pound Taylor rates as the No. 1 defensive tackle in the 2021 recruiting class and a top five player overall, according to 247 Sports.
JUST IN: Five-star defensive tackle Leonard Taylor just announced his commitment to Miami on @CBSSportsHQ: https://t.co/BQ7OPhns84 pic.twitter.com/oslRHRb1ha
— 247Sports Recruiting (@247recruiting) August 6, 2020
Taylor’s decision is significant for a number of reasons, too. First off, the Florida Gators were well positioned to land Taylor; at times, they were considered the favorite, too. However, Miami held Florida off, along with several other power programs: Alabama, Auburn, Florida State and Georgia, among others.
The addition of Taylor also comes two weeks after Miami landed a commitment from 5-star in-state safety James Williams. With Taylor and Williams, Miami’s 2021 recruiting class has commitments from two top 15 prospects. (Miami beat out UGA to land Williams, too.)
Miami’s 2021 class has risen to No. 8 in 247 Sports team rankings. This gives the ACC three programs currently in the top 10: Clemson (No. 3), Miami and North Carolina (No. 10).
During the 2019 season, as a junior, Taylor recorded 68 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and two interceptions for the Panthers. At the end of the year, Taylor was named 1st team All-Dade, and 3rd team All-State.
Taylor is the second player from Miami Palmetto High Schools to commit to the Hurricanes in 2021; in late July, Miami also added a commitment from 3-star wide receiver Brashard Smith.
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