Miami landed a timely recruiting win on Monday, flipping four-star edge rusher DeAnthony Lafayette from LSU and keeping the Lake Nona (Orlando) standout in his home state for the 2026 class. Lafayette announced his commitment a day after reopening his recruitment, ending a months-long push from Mario Cristobal's staff.
BREAKING: Four-Star EDGE DeAnthony Lafayette has Committed to Miami, he tells me for @rivals
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) November 10, 2025
The 6’1 230 EDGE from Orlando, FL decommitted from LSU yesterday
“Bringing Orlando to Miami, go Canes!”https://t.co/A63FasLzD1 pic.twitter.com/4LVVhTrrRB
Lafayette, listed at 6-1 and 230 pounds, is a consensus four-star prospect. The 247Sports Composite ranks him No. 391 nationally and as the No. 36 edge in the cycle. As a junior, he posted 73 tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss and 17.5 sacks.
The commitment caps a quick pivot after LSU fired head coach Brian Kelly on Oct. 26, a move that triggered immediate roster and recruiting fallout in Baton Rouge. Lafayette decommitted Sunday and Miami moved to close the deal.
Lafayette said Miami's defensive staff — especially defensive line coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jason Taylor — was central to his decision. "Coach Taylor was a big part of my decision," Lafayette told Rivals, adding that he believes Taylor can develop him at the next level. He also cited first-year defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman and Cristobal's approach: "A lot of the coaches were recruiting me; they're very personable, and that really stood out."
Taylor is in his third season coaching Miami's defensive line, while Hetherman arrived in 2025 after coordinating Minnesota's defense.
The Hurricanes' pursuit wasn't new. Lafayette officially visited Miami earlier in the process and had been on campus multiple times. His most recent trip came for the Syracuse game, which he said reaffirmed his lean to the Canes. He previously took official visits to LSU, Oklahoma and Boston College.
Lafayette becomes Miami's third edge commit in the 2026 group alongside four-star Asharri Charles, and four-star Jordan Campbell. The commitment pushes the class total to 27. On3's pegs the Hurricanes' 2026 haul just outside the top 10 nationally, with room to climb as more blue-chip targets make their decision.