Leonard Taylor would be a critical addition to the Miami football program. Two-year starter Jon Ford is a senior in 2020. Nesta Silvera is entering his junior season in 2020 and Taylor would have a chance to play immediately for the Hurricanes. The Miami defensive staff is reportedly selling playing time to Taylor in his recruitment.
Rising redshirt sophomore Jordan Miller and redshirt freshmen Jalar Holley and Jared Harrison Hunte are highly thought of by the Miami coaching staff. All three should be a part of the Hurricanes rotation in 2020. Taylor would have a chance to come in and compete for a starting role in 2021.
Taylor is a much higher ranked player coming out of high school than Miller, Holley or Harrison-Hunte were. The current Hurricanes trio would have the advantage of experience and being in the Miami football program for two to three years over Taylor. The 6’4, 255 pound Taylor is a force in the middle defensively.
"Has little bad weight with the frame and length to tack on more weight in his upper body and midsection. Should see his body transform once he’s in a full-time strength and conditioning program at the next level. Is a fluid and natural athlete playing along the defensive line. Uses his length to disengage from opposing offensive linemen and wins with a strong first step and quick swim move. Incredibly disruptive as an interior pass rusher. Gets his hands on a lot of footballs whether it’s by using his long arms to disrupt passing lanes or blocking kicks. Plays with good pad level and body lean. Finds multiple ways to disrupt the offensive game plan. Will need to continue improving his strength at the point of attack and the ability to hold his ground when double teamed. Looks like one of the top overall prospects nationally in the 2021 cycle and among the better defensive linemen to come out of South Florida in years. Projects as a multi-year starter at the Power Five level with all-league and All-American potential and the upside of developing into a first round draft pick."
Miami has produced elite edge rushers during the Manny Diaz era as defensive coordinator from 2016-18 and now the head coach. Ford and Silvera have to take step forward in 2020 to equal the consistency Miami has had getting to the QB from the edge. The above scouting report of Taylor came from Charles Power of 247Sports.
The comparison for Taylor is New York Jets defensive lineman Quinnen Williams. Williams was eighth in the Heisman Trophy voting for Alabama in 2018. In two seasons with the Crimson Tide, Williams had 91 tackles, 26 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. Signing Taylor would be huge for the Miami football program.