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Countdown to Canes Football: No. 9 Leonard Taylor III
One of the most talented players on the Hurricanes roster will be featured today. He’s also a player that can greatly impact Miam’s 2023 won-loss record.
Who’s been discussed before today? Here: Full Countdown to Canes Football List
Leonard Taylor III
Size: 6-foot-3, 305 pounds
Class: Junior
Position: Defensive Tackle
Recruitment and Background
From the class of 2021, Taylor was recruited by just about every major college football program out of Miami (Fla.) Palmetto. Florida, Florida State, Alabama, Georgia, LSU, and on and on, Taylor’s options to play college football should be considered elite.
He earned it as a player that already held advanced pass rushing skills and a motor that allowed him to chase down a play from behind. Taylor was the No. 11 player overall in the 247 composite recruiting rankings.
Taylor’s 2021 Statistics
Tackles: 21
Tackles For Loss: 9.5
Sacks: 2
Taylor's 2022 Statistics
Tackles: 24
Tackles For Loss: 10.5
Sacks: 3
Interceptions: 1
How Taylor Impacts Miami's Roster
If he's playing at his best, and at the crucial position of defensive tackle, that opens up a plethora of options for other players to be successful beyond s Taylor's own personal achievements. Dominant teams usually possess dominant defensive tackle play.
Taylor's talent make him the most likely player to be successful in the trenches so it's imperative that he is a big-time player in 2023. Above all else, that's why he's on this list at No. 9. Taylor is incredibly valuable to the Miami program.
What Taylor Does Best
Penetrate into the backfield and being an interior pass rusher. For a defensive tackle, Taylor’s quick hands and pass rushing knowledge are unique. He’s the type of player opposing offensive coordinators will probably need to account for during passing downs. Even if Taylor is being blocked by two opposing offensive linemen, he impacts the game by way of opening up one-on-one situations for the rest of Miami’s defensive front.
Now, Taylor still needs to get home even more often and add to his sack totals, but he’s already showing the ability to be an impact player through two seasons in Coral Gables. How he does in the next category will be even more important for Miami’s success than how Taylor gets after the quarterback.
How Much Better Will Taylor Be Versus The Run?
Taylor is too talented to finish with anything close to 24 tackles again in 2023. Yes, even if he’s consistently double teamed, that’s the case. The combination of Miami’s coaches coming up with ways to free him up, as well as Taylor finding more ways to be impactful himself, both need an uptick in productivity.
It cannot be stated enough how important it is for Taylor to be a consistently impactful player against the run. He must be a run stopper to the point that teams need to scheme against him on first and ten.
There’s ample reason to believe that Taylor, now encroaching on his third year of college football, will make significant strides to be better even in the run game. His experience, the talent around him, and a system led by defensive coordinator Lance Guidry that’s excellent at creating havoc, should help considerably.
He was solid against the run last season. Now is the time for Taylor to become a dominant player. If that does come to fruition, his NFL Draft stock will go up considerably and the Canes will win more football games. One more key point about Taylor.
Playing Against Top Competition
Taylor’s talent is unquestioned. To rise up and be a truly dominant player this season, however, he needs to make more game-changing plays versus teams like Clemson, Florida State, and Texas A&M. That’s a simple concept and yet one that still needs to be brought to light. If Taylor makes that happen, Miami’s defense will be much better and the Canes can compete for the ACC title and a good bowl game.
2023 Projection
Look for Taylor to be one of the leaders for the Canes defense. Just by how hard he goes after the quarterback and ball carrier alike, that’s going to help move Miami’s defensive efforts in the right direction. He has more experienced and another year in the weight room, too.
All of his combined talents and experience should see Taylor be one of college football’s best defensive tackles.
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