4-Star DL L.J. McCray: Tough turning down Miami football coach Jason Taylor
Pro Football Hall of Fame edge rusher and Miami football defensive line coach Jason Taylor has helped the Hurricanes receive commitments from four-star 2024 prospects Marquisse Lightfoot and Elias Rudolph. Four-star 2024 defensive lineman L.J. McCray said you can’t really turn down a Hall of Famer.
Steve Wiltfong the Director Of Recruiting for 247 Sports wrote that “Top247 DL LJ McCray gives the latest regarding his recruitment.” No 247 Sports crystal balls have been logged for McCray. The On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine projects Florida as the lead for McCray with a 36.6 percent chance for a commitment.
Georgia is second with a 24.9 percent chance for a McCray commitment followed by Florida State at 15.3, Miami at 11.5 and Auburn at 5.2 percent. McCray took official visits to Auburn, Florida, Georgia and Miami in June. Florida State is scheduled to host McCray for an official visit the weekend of October 7 per On3.
McCray is the 129th prospect, 19th DL and 20th in Florida out of Daytona Beach Mainland in the 2024 class per the 247 Sports composite rankings. Rivals ranked the Miami 2024 DL class the fifth best nationally last month. Wiltfong discussed with McCray why he is interested in the Miami football program.
David Stone is still a top priority for Miami, but Daytona Beach (Fla.) Mainland’s LJ McCray is also at the top of the board for the Hurricanes along the defensive line this cycle. pic.twitter.com/yTyRsr1ACn
— Gaby Urrutia (@GabyUrrutia247) August 28, 2023
"“It’s a Hall of Famer coming to watch you play…Not only a Miami coach, a Hall of Fame defensive end. He’s been in my shoes. That’s a big thing with Miami. Hall of Fame. You can’t really turn down a Hall of Famer.”"
McCray has 84 tackles, 37 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, five passes defended, two fumble recoveries and fumble caused during his high school career. In 2022, McCray also had 14 receptions for 159 yards and two TD. McCray has mostly played on the edge in high school but is projected to move inside in college per 247 Sports.
Next. Miami big recruiting week. dark
Miami is building an elite 2024 DL class with defensive tackle Artavius Jones, Lightfoot and Rudolph. If Miami gains a commitment from McCray, they would have a projected starting future front four defensively. Taylor has made an immediate impact as DL coach after being promoted during the 2023 offseason.