Leonard Taylor III (born May 29, 2002) is an American professional football defensive tackle for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Miami.

Leonard Taylor III
No. 96 – New York Jets
Position:Defensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (2002-05-29) May 29, 2002 (age 22)
Miami, Florida, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:305 lb (138 kg)
Career information
High school:Miami Palmetto (Pinecrest, Florida)
College:Miami (FL) (2021–2023)
Undrafted:2024
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career NFL statistics as of Week 3, 2024
Tackles:2
Sacks:0.5
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

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Taylor was born on May 29, 2002, in Miami, Florida, and attended Miami Palmetto Senior High School in Pinecrest, Florida.[1] As a senior, he had 51 tackles, five sacks and an interception in seven games. He was selected to play in both the 2021 Under Armour All-America Game and 2021 All-American Bowl.[2][3] A five-star recruit, Taylor committed to the University of Miami to play college football.[4][5]

College career

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Taylor played in nine games as a true freshman at Miami in 2021, recording 21 tackles and two sacks. As a junior in 2022, he had 24 tackles, three sacks and an interception.[6][7][8] Taylor declared for the 2024 NFL draft following the 2023 season.[9]

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump
6 ft 3+12 in
(1.92 m)
303 lb
(137 kg)
33+78 in
(0.86 m)
9 in
(0.23 m)
5.12 s 1.76 s 2.96 s 4.71 s 7.68 s 30.0 in
(0.76 m)
9 ft 1 in
(2.77 m)
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[10][11]

Taylor signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent on May 3, 2024.[12] He was also selected by the DC Defenders in the third round of the 2024 UFL draft on July 17.[13] Taylor notably made the Jets initial 53 man roster out of training camp as a UDFA.

References

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  1. ^ "Leonard Taylor Defensive Tackle Miami". nfldraftbuzz.com. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  2. ^ University of Miami Commit Leonard Taylor Welcomed to 2021 All-American Bowl with Virtual Jersey Presentation
  3. ^ Five-Star Prospect Leonard Taylor Commits to 2021 All-American Bowl
  4. ^ VanHaaren, Tom (August 6, 2020). "Canes land DT Taylor, No. 5 recruit in Class of '21". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  5. ^ Wilson, David (August 6, 2020). "Leonard Taylor, five-star defensive tackle and part of 'Palmetto Five,' commits to Miami". Miami Herald. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  6. ^ Chaney, Luke (September 29, 2022). "Leonard Taylor III Emerging as Budding Star on Miami's Defense". SI.com. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  7. ^ How a meeting with Mario Cristobal changed Leonard Taylor’s season and ‘opened his eyes’
  8. ^ Miami DT Leonard Taylor national force heading into FSU
  9. ^ Miller Degnan, Susan; Jackson, Barry. "Miami DT Leonard Taylor signs with rapper Lil Wayne's agency, to enter NFL draft". Miami Herald. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  10. ^ "Leonard Taylor III Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  11. ^ "2024 NFL Draft Scout Leonard Taylor III College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  12. ^ Greenberg, Ethan; Pullano, John (May 3, 2024). "Jets Sign 17 Undrafted Free Agents". NewYorkJets.com.
  13. ^ "2024 UFL College Draft: Showboats select Kansas QB Jason Bean with No. 1 pick". FoxSports.com. July 17, 2024. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
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