Defensive lineman Leonard Taylor III arrived at Miami as a highly touted prospect, and he appears poised to leave as a likely high NFL draft pick.
The Hurricanes standout is expected to enter the 2024 NFL draft. He posted a picture of himself signing with rapper Lil Wayne’s Young Money APAA Sports agency on Instagram and retweeted it on X (formerly known as Twitter), signaling the end of his three-year college career.
He also signaled his intentions to leave earlier in the week when he posted, “I gave my all,” with the hashtag “#GoCanes.” However, he has not officially announced his plans to enter the draft.
Taylor was a star at Miami Palmetto High, and 247Sports rated him a five-star prospect and the No. 4 player in the 2021 class.
I gave my all 💯🦅 #GoCanes
— Leonard Taylor ⁵⁶ (@56reasons_) November 28, 2023
He played in six games as a freshman, flashing excellence in his time on the field. Taylor played in all 12 games as a sophomore and in 10 games as a junior this season, missing two games due to injuries. Pro Football Focus gave him a 75.1 defensive grade with an 82 pass-rush grade.
Taylor finishes his college career with 64 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss and six sacks. He also had one interception.
ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. ranks Taylor as the No. 3 defensive tackle in this year’s draft class.
Two other Hurricanes underclassmen are expected to enter the NFL draft: safeties Kamren Kinchens and James Williams, though neither has announced their decisions yet.
Miami DT Leonard Taylor signs with Lil Wayne’s agency Young Money APAA Sports.
— CaneFilms (@CaneFilms) December 1, 2023
