Taylor-Made to be a Cane: five-star prospect picks Miami

On this episode of the Canes chasing the Palmetto 5, you’re getting another good ending. As a matter of fact, a great ending.

Respect it @PantherPride305 @Hayesfawcett3 pic.twitter.com/MszG4BUXeb

— Leonard Taylor 🎯 ⁵⁶ (@56reasons_) August 6, 2020

5 Star Leonard Taylor commits to the U🔥 pic.twitter.com/Z2AMGV65Ne

— Grantlong (@Grantlonggg) August 6, 2020

Joined by his mother, father, and brother, five-star DT Leonard Taylor announced his commitment to the University of Miami on CBS Sports HQ, picking the Canes over Florida. 

Taylor is ranked as the 3rd-best DT in the nation according to the 247Sports Composite and 27th overall. He is the 2nd five-star prospect in Miami’s 2021 class, joining American Heritage safety James Williams. This also puts Miami in great company with Alabama and Ohio State as the only programs in the nation with multiple five-star commits. 

LT put up monster numbers in his junior season. Helping Palmetto go 10-2 along with an appearance in the 8A regional semifinals, he compiled 68 tackles, 26 tackles-for-loss, 11 sacks, as well as two interceptions. 

Taylor is now the third prospect from Miami Palmetto to commit to Miami, joining three-star WR Brashard Smith and four-star DT Savion Collins.

Although he is currently listed at 6’4”, 255 pounds on 247, he has definitely added a lot of good weight since. From time to time, Taylor posts videos on Twitter of him working out (in full orange and green) and looks very athletic for a defensive tackle. He even plays for Palmetto’s basketball team and with his size and speed, he has the versatility to play inside and outside on the defensive line. 

With Taylor in the fold, Miami jumps from 11th in the 247Sports team rankings to 8th.

Manny Diaz and company continue to kill it on the recruiting trail and are taking full advantage not only of the pandemic, but of the big pool of talent in South Florida in the 2021 class. 

The Canes still await the decisions of two Palmetto prospects. One is five-star CB Jason Marshall, who is currently at odds between Miami and Alabama although most of the crystal ball picks on 247Sports point to Miami. The other is four-star safety Corey Collier, who is slated to pick between the Canes, Florida, and LSU on August 10th on CBS Sports HQ. 

Stay tuned to 5 Reasons Sports for the latest in Miami Hurricanes news.