The nation’s top two players at this position announce they’re considering Hurricanes
The vintage Miami Hurricanes teams of yesteryear generally had dominant defensive tackle play. So it was encouraging over the past few days that Miami remained alive for arguably the top two defensive tackles in the 2021 recruiting cycle.
Louisiana-based Maason Smith, rated by Rivals as the nation’s No. 1 defensive tackle and No. 6 overall prospect in 2021, announced Saturday that Miami is among his eight finalists, along with Georgia, LSU, Florida, Oregon, Alabama, Oklahoma and Southern California. LSU has been considered the front-runner and the Hurricanes face formidable competition.
Meanwhile, Miami Palmetto High defensive tackle Leonard Taylor, rated by 247 Sports as the nation’s top Class of 2021 defensive tackle prospect, on Monday announced a final two of UM and UF.
While the Gators have long been considered the favorite, his coach - Mike Manasco - has said the idea of playing in his hometown is appealing to him.
Taylor had a Zoom call with UM coaches on May 22 and he “said it went well,” Manasco told me recently. “Miami is in the picture with him. He likes the hometown thing. He’s a specimen, one of those kids you look at and say he will play on Sunday. He wants to see Miami play well this year.”
That’s one reason why it would potentially help Miami if there’s a college football season this fall - before the two signing periods. But a fall college football season is in doubt, as we explained here today.
Taylor told 247sports.com: “I have good connection with the coaches [at Florida] and I feel like I would get a great education there. Miami is close to home and the coaches show me mad love everyday. I feel like my education would also be great there with their program.”
Two factors that could help UM: his strong relationship with defensive line coach Todd Stroud and the likelihood that he could play a lot as a freshman.
Rivals national recruiting analyst Mike Farrell predicted the Canes will get Taylor, while acknowledging most predict the Gators will win out.
Taylor had 68 tackles and 11 sacks last season and received Miami Herald All-Dade 8A-6A first-team honors.
As for Smith, he told Rivals.com last week that “from what I’m hearing from coaches, I’ll be able to take official visits in September, October, November and December, and I’ll be able to take my five official visits in that time span.
“I definitely want to take a few unofficial visits before I take my official visits. I want to take unofficial visits as if I never went there. From there, I’ll take my official visits and then sign on National Signing Day [in December].”
Smith - who’s rated the No. 2 defensive tackle prospect in the 2021 class by 247 Sports - said Miami, LSU, Georgia and Alabama have positioned themselves well to receive official visits this fall whenever the dead period is lifted.
On UM, he said: “It’s beautiful down there. Talking to [defensive coordinator Blake] Baker and Coach Stroud and Coach [Manny] Diaz. We talk over the phone all the time. The relationship is definitely there. The last time I went there I had so much fun. It’s a really good place to be at. South Beach is right there. So is Miami, but Miami is in Coral Gables, so it’s close to all the fun.”
At defensive tackle, UM has a Class of 2021 commitment from Hollywood Chaminade Madonna’s Allan Haye. Miami also has a commitment from Miami Southwest defensive tackle Savion Collins, but he might end up with the Gators. UM reportedly has cooled on him; Collins has said he rarely speaks to Canes coaches anymore.
Miami likely will target at least one more defensive tackle if it cannot snag Smith or Taylor. UM has begun pursuing Milton, Fla.-based three-star defensive tackle Marquis Robinson, who’s 213th on ESPN’s big board.
UM, in 2021, is expected to have a defensive tackle group of Nesta Silvera, Jordan Miller, Jason Blissett (UM said he will play both end and tackle), Jared Harrison Hunte, Jalar Holley, incoming freshman Elijah Roberts (an end expected to grow into a tackle) and whatever players it adds in the 2021 cycle. Jon Ford is entering his final season of eligibility.
NEWS NOTES
Virginia-based five star offensive tackle Tristan Leigh spent time on UM’s campus on Monday, according to multiple recruiting websites. He wasn’t permitted to interact with Miami coaches because it’s a recruiting dead period, but he thought enough of Miami to want to see the campus and drive down to South Florida from Atlanta, where he and his parents were vacationing.
He also plans to visit FSU, UF and UCF during this ongoing trip with his parents. 247Sports rates him the No. 3 offensive tackle and No. 11 overall prospect for 2021.....
Four-star Pahokee based Class of 2021 cornerback Makevious Brown recently announced a top five of Miami, Arkansas, Auburn, Mississippi and Virginia Tech.
This story was originally published July 6, 2020 at 7:59 PM.
