Miami Hurricanes News: 2 top ACC DTs, B1G, SEC want 2 ACC schools
Miami Hurricanes star Leonard Taylor received the highest grade and Thomas Gore is fourth among the returning ACC defensive tackles entering the 2023 season per PFF. North Carolina and Virginia are the two ACC schools the Big Ten and SEC might want the most according to a report from Pete Thamel of ESPN.
Pro Football Focus graded Taylor at 87.3 overall and Gore at 84.3. Taylor earned an honorable mention All-ACC in 2022. Athlon Sports named Taylor second-team All-ACC in their preseason issue. Gore transferred to Miami from Georgia State during the offseason. Gore is expected to be a backup for Miami in 2022.
With Oklahoma and Texas joining the SEC and UCLA and USC moving to the Big 10 in 2024 rumors have been circulating nationally about what the next big news could be in conference realignment. Clemson, Florida State and the Miami Hurricanes have been speculated in some combination as moving to the Big 10 or SEC.
The report that the Big 10 or SEC is interested in North Carolina and Virginia is new. North Carolina and Virginia would be better fits for the Big 10 academically and culturally than the SEC. North Carolina and Virginia are members of the American Association of Universities which is an important criterion for the Big 10.
According to my contacts in the @SEC they would consider @FSU @ClemsonUniv & perhaps @UNC - but not @CanesFootball - TWO more Florida schools never happening. Miami, Virginia, GA Tech & Duke are schools better suited for the @bigten
— Jim Williams (@JWMediaDC) June 12, 2023
Miami hosted five-star defensive tackle, Justin Scott, four-star running back Kevin Riley, edge rusher Elias Rudolph and defensive lineman Jayden Jackson as well as three-star offensive linemen Deryc Plazz and Moritz Schmoranzer. On3 projects Miami as the leader for Riley with a 42.5 percent chance for a commitment.
The next week is the last one for hosting prospects in June. Eighteen prospects will visit the Miami Hurricanes in the next week. That begins with five-star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith from Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna on Wednesday. Miami currently has the 28th-ranked 2024 class per 247 Sports rankings.
Marcus Benjamin of Canes County wrote that “Miami should have a vaunted pass rush in 2023.” Harrison-Hunte and Taylor are projected to be joined by Jahfari Harvey and Akheem Mesidor as starters on the defensive line in 2023. PFF ranks Mesidor first and Harvey seventh among ACC returning edge rushers.