Miami football final five finalist for 5-star DT Maason Smith

Nov 2, 2019; Mandatory Credit: Glenn Beil-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2019; Mandatory Credit: Glenn Beil-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Miami football team is one of five finalists for five-star 2021 defensive tackle Maason Smith.

The Miami football team was named one of five finalists and the only school not in the SEC as a finalist for five-star defensive tackle Maason Smith. Smith is the 19th ranked player in the Class of 2021, the third-ranked DT and the top-ranked player in Louisiana. Miami has a commitment from the top-ranked 2021 DT Leonard Taylor.

Miami was named as a finalist with Alabama, Florida, Georgia and LSU. The Tigers are the prohibitive favorite to sign Smith who is from Houma, Louisiana. Smith and fellow five-star defensive lineman Korey Foreman are expected to sigh with the same program. Georgia and LSU are the only mutual finalists for the elite DL.

All 10 crystal balls on 247Sports.Com project Smith to sign with LSU. Miami can discuss the potential for Smith to lineup next to Taylor for three years with the Hurricanes with fellow five-star defensive commit James Williams in the same class. The aggressive Miami defense entices Smith.

The 6’5, 316 pound Smith spoke with 247Sports about the potential of playing at Miami, his relationship with the Hurricanes coaches and the scheme Miami runs. The fact Miami has finished in the top 10 in tackles for loss and sacks in all four seasons Manny Diaz has been on the Hurricanes staff is a plus.

"“I took a visit to Miami last summer and I loved it. I love their facilities, I love the coaches, (DL) Coach (Todd) Stroud, (Defensive coordinator) Coach (Blake) Baker, (Head) Coach (Manny) Diaz, they always talk to me and to be honest that defensive scheme is the one I like the most. It’s all out attack and it would let me play free.I’ve been having a real good relationship the past year with them and I definitely want to see it again.”"

In addition to Taylor, Miami has four-star Savion Collins and three-star Allan Haye committed at DT for 2021. All seven crystal balls for Collins expect him to eventually flip to Florida. Smith and Taylor will have a chance to come in and compete immediately for playing time in 2021. Only Jon Ford is a senior at DT for Miami.

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The Miami football team has a deep group returning at DT in 2021 if Ford opts for the NFL Draft instead of returning for the extra season of eligibility granted to all 2020 Fall Athletes by the NCAA. Junior Nesta Silvera and redshirt freshman Jared Harrison-Hunte would be the projected starters in 2021.