Miami football adds second 5-star commit to 2021 with 5-star DT Leonard Taylor

For the first time since 2008, the Miami football program has two five-star commits with the announcement that defensive tackle Leonard Taylor will sign with the Hurricanes.

The 2021 Miami football recruiting class has added their second five-star commit with the addition of defensive tackle Leonard Taylor on Thursday afternoon. Taylor joins athlete James Williams who is projected to play linebacker or safety in college. Williams and Taylor are the first five-star pair in the same class for Miami since 2008.

The Hurricanes 2021 recruiting class moved up from 11th to eighth with the addition of Taylor passing Florida, North Carolina and Michigan. Passing Florida was doubly sweet with Taylor choosing the Hurricanes over the Gators. Taylor is the third commit to the Miami football program from Miami Palmetto.

Miami previously received commitments from Taylor’s Palmetto teammates, four-star DT Savion Collins and three-star wide receiver Brashard Smith who also chose the Hurricanes over the Gators. Taylor’s Palmetto teammates, five-star CB Jason Marshall and four-star safety Corey Collier are still considering Miami.

Taylor told Inside the U that he speaks to Miami almost everyday, particularly defensive line coach Todd Stroud. Stroud gets credit for Taylor committing to Miami. Taylor is the 27th ranked player, third-ranked DT and sixth-ranked player in Florida in the Class of 2021. Playing at home played a big role in Taylor’s commitment.

During his commitment announcement on CBS Sports HQ Taylor said that making it easy for his mother to watch him play was a major part of his decision to commit to Miami. The addition of Taylor makes Miami the third school in the 2021 recruiting cycle with multiple five star commits joining Alabama and Ohio State.

A commitment from Marshall would move Miami from eighth to fourth passing USC, LSU, Tennessee and Oregon. Marshall has not announced a commitment date. Collier will announce his commitment on August 10. The Miami recruiting class is continuing to move up the rankings with elite talent being added.