2024 Exclusive Sneak Peek: Leonard Taylor, DL, Miami-FL
Welcome to the Exclusive Sneak Peek: Leonard Taylor, a defensive lineman out of Miami-FL. He is from Miami, Florida, and was a 4-star recruit from Miami Palmetto High School.
Taylor appeared in 6 games as a freshman in 2021 for Miami-FL and had excellent production in his limited time. He racked up 7 solo tackles, 14 assists, 8.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, and 1 pass defended.
After that solid freshman season, he was made a full-time player and appeared in 12 games. His stats were excellent with 11 solo tackles, 13 assists, 10.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, and 1 interception.
His final collegiate season came in 2023 as a junior for Miami-FL. He appeared in 10 games and piled up 7 solo tackles, 12 assists, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 1 sack before declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Measurables
NCAA Statistics
| Tackles | Def Int | Fumbles | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Solo | Ast | Tot | Loss | Sk | Int | Yds | Avg | TD | PD | FR | Yds | TD | FF |
| 2021 | Miami (FL) | ACC | FR | DL | 6 | 7 | 14 | 21 | 8.5 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |||
| 2022 | Miami (FL) | ACC | SO | 12 | 11 | 13 | 24 | 10.5 | 3.0 | 1 | 4 | 4.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| *2023 | Miami (FL) | ACC | JR | DL | 10 | 7 | 12 | 19 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Career | Miami (FL) | 25 | 39 | 64 | 22.5 | 6.0 | 1 | 4 | 4.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
Scouting Reports
Strengths
- Has an amazing burst with ridiculously quick feet off the snap.
- Great instincts against the run with the raw ability to match.
- Has a thick lower body with great power, and gains excellent leverage.
- Makes excellent tackles with a great ability to shed blocks.
Weaknesses
- He struggles to locate the ball carrier at times.
- Often plays too tall and struggles with his pad level.
- He is raw as a talent and needs to refine his technique overall to be effective at the next level.
- Has limited effectiveness as a pass-rusher due to his size and technique.
Pre-Draft Analysis
Expected Draft Capital: Mid 2nd Round
Ideal Landing Spot: Houston Texans
Leonard is a raw but potentially elite interior defensive lineman. He is likely to go in the middle of the second round and Houston could be the perfect destination.
The Texans were lacking on the interior line in 2023 and would benefit greatly from the talented Leonard. Add in a defensive-minded head coach in Demeco Ryans who could help him into develop into a pro and this could be the perfect fit.
Post-Draft Analysis
Undrafted Free Agent signed with
