UM Lands No. 1 Class of 2021 Prep Redzone Florida Prospect
With Thursday’s commitment from Prep Redzone Florida’s No. 1 Class of 2021 player, Leonard Taylor Leonard Taylor 6'4" | 285 lbs | DL Miami Palmetto | 2021 State FL , the University of Miami continues an off-season like no other.
When the Hurricanes received the 6-4, 280-pound defensive lineman’s commitment, it ended speculation that the University of Florida would perhaps end up with this Miami Palmetto standout.
While the rest of college football shakes their collective heads every time this program, which lost its last three games in 2019 and finished 6-7, could be having such a banner recruiting class, the Hurricanes continue to land elite player after elite player. In fact, with Taylor’s decision, the Hurricanes vaulted into the top 10 among many sources who rate these classes. That includes 14 Prep Redzone Florida Top 100 prospects.
What many Miami teams in the past 20 years have failed to do is keep the local standouts at home, but Manny Diaz and his staff, playing on the theme of hitting south Florida very hard and closing the fences from outside schools coming in and taking the elite prospects, have set the table for a future that could send this program back to the top of the college football world.
While nobody will confuse this one class with the steady flow of elite talent that Clemson, Alabama, Ohio State and others have been bringing in for years, this is certainly a very impressive beginning.
If Miami can start winning and getting to more prestigious bowl games, they can start to open that pipeline that has long been headed elsewhere.
Even at a time when the Florida Gators are climbing the elite ladder, the ‘Canes have been able to get the football talent they want, which is something that defies logic – especially when this program has not looked good over the past decade.
So what’s special about Taylor is he is an athletic defensive tackles and that has worked hard to put himself in this position. Another of the deemed 5-star athletes, his beginning at South Dade and then Miami Southridge uncovered an athlete who is willing to do what’s necessary to get better. He is impossible to block and has shown it in games and combines, where he has more than held his own against the nation’s elite.
Besides this huge piece, here is a look at the other Class of 2021 talent Miami has committed so far:
Elijah Arroyo, TE, 6-4, 210, Frisco Independence, Texas. One of the few out of state recruits in this class, here is a big time prospect who has already shown that he is a receiving tight end with size, speed and the ability to make the tough catches and will get open. Perfect in Rhett Lashley’s wide open offense – because there are few linebackers who will be able to stay with him. Tremendous concentration.
Andres Borregales Andres Borregales K Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna | 2021 FL , K, 5-11, 155, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna. Of any recruit in this class, here is the one who is by far the closest to hitting the field. One of the most accurate and dependable kickers this program has gone after in decades. Nationally rated, showcase tested and someone who has always attended the most competitive events – since he was 13. Will follow in the footsteps of his brother who made the move from FIU for his senior season.
Kahlil Brantley Kahlil Brantley 6'2" | 200 lbs | TE Miami Northwestern | 2021 State FL , TE, 6-2, 200, Miami Northwestern. Talk about a versatile football player and someone with leadership and passion, and here he is. From quarterback to receiver to tight end, this No. 80 pre-season Prep Redzone Florida talent is a gifted football player who will do it all. Has been one of the more active members of this class, which includes a number of his Northwestern teammates, headed to Coral Gables with a winning attitude.
Romello Brinson Romello Brinson 6'2" | 180 lbs | WR Miami Northwestern | 2021 State FL , WR, 6-2, 180, Miami Northwestern. Rated as the No. 21 senior by Prep Redzone Florida, this is a versatile pass catcher who continues to mature and makes major strides. Showed during the 5A state playoff stretch run this past season that he will do anything it takes to get in the endzone, and he did, coming up with several catches in the title game against Orlando Jones.
Tim Burns Jr. Tim Burns Jr. 5'9" | 160 lbs | DB Miami Northwestern | 2021 State FL , CB, 5-9, 160, Miami Northwestern. To many who have watched him play since his days at the youth level and from the beginning at Doral Academy, they all know what this young man can do on the football field. One of the first commitments in this class, the No. 75 pre-season Prep Redzone Florida prospects continues to get it done in the secondary.
Savion Collins Savion Collins 6'3" | 285 lbs | DL Miami Palmetto | 2021 State FL , DT, 6-3, 285, Miami Palmetto. Was one of the first to commit to the Miami in this class, it was a mutual love affair from his freshman season at Southwest Miami to now, where he has grown into a huge defensive line prospect that still gets after quarterbacks and stops the run. Was the No. 52 rated senior by Prep Redzone Florida in the pre-season.
Malik Curtis Malik Curtis 5'11" | 165 lbs | DB Fort Myers Bishop Verot | 2021 FL , S/WR, 5-11, 165, Fort Myers Bishop Verot. Here is a talented prospect that has a chance to be very special – and as someone who can play multiple positions as well as a return specialist. This is the type of football player that this program needs to get every recruiting cycle. A versatile difference maker.
Thomas Davis, DE, 6-1, 235, Valdosta Lowndes County, Ga. One of just two out of state recruits, this is a tremendous football talent who actually had the chance to play against several UM recruits when Northwestern traveled to Georgia last year to play this powerhouse program. Very quick off the edge, tremendous motor and a super athletic football prospect.
Thaddius Franklin Thaddius Franklin 6'2" | 220 lbs | RB Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna | 2021 State FL , RB, 6-2, 220, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna. From the moment the Hurricanes saw this young man perform as a sophomore, there was no question how he would fit in – and after leading the Lions to a third consecutive 3A state title with a record rushing performance, this is a big back who will wear you down and find the endzone quite often. Rated as the No. 33 Prep Redzone Florida pre-season selection, Franklin had originally committed to Miami, backed away and then came back to be a huge part of this class.
Jacolby George Jacolby George 6'0" | 170 lbs | WR Plantation | 2021 State FL , WR, 6-0, 170, Plantation. One of the most versatile pass catchers in this state, here is a talent who did everything for head coach Steve Davis and the Colonels. From receiver to return specialist and punter for this program. Solid talent who was rated as the No. 41 prospect in the Prep Redzone Florida Top 100.
Allan Haye Allan Haye 6'1" | 300 lbs | DL Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna | 2021 FL , DT, 6-1, 300, Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna. In need of quality big defensive linemen, the Hurricanes used on of their favorite Broward County schools to come up with a solid playmaker who continues to show how talented he is and how much he’s learned.
Jabari Ishmael Jabari Ishmael 6'5" | 215 lbs | DL Miami Christopher Columbus | 2021 State FL , DE, 6-5, 215, Miami Christopher Columbus. This is yet another of those football players who has a huge upside. As he continues to grow and out on weight, he is a long and athletic football player who has been around this game for a long time. His father has been around football as a weight training coach for years, and has taught his son plenty about the game. Was instrumental in the Explorers’ run at an 8A state title. Is the No. 57 rated Prep Redzone Florida prospect, heading into the season.
Kamren Kinchens Kamren Kinchens 6'0" | 190 lbs | DB Miami Northwestern | 2021 State FL , S, 6-0, 190, Miami Northwestern. Having watched this impressive football player perform live 10 times the past two seasons, there are very few prospects – anywhere in Florida who bring as much to the table as this No. 21 rated prospect by Prep Redzone Florida. Physical, athletic, instinctive and has a nose to be where the ball is. Ask anyone who has watched him perform and all will tell you that he makes more important plays than anyone on the field.
Michael McLaughlin Michael McLaughlin 6'8" | 260 lbs | OL Parkland Douglas | 2021 State FL , OL, 6-7, 260, Parkland Douglas. We have said from the beginning that this is exactly the type of athlete the ‘Canes got back in the day from Eric Winston. Not to say that he is that kind of football prospect, but at 6-7, he has that kind of frame and plenty of athletic ability. The one-time Indiana resident has shown that he will be one of those more athletic prospects that first year offensive line coach Garin Justice will fall in love with. Solid player who still has plenty to learn up from. He comes in as the No. 66 Top 100 Prep Redzone Florida prospects.
Ryan Rodriguez Ryan Rodriguez 6'3" | 285 lbs | OL Miami Christopher Columbus | 2021 State FL , OL, 6-3, 285. Miami Christopher Columbus. When the 2019 season started, very few – if any of the recruiting services and fan websites had this young man anywhere near their radar, but having watched him play eight times live this past season, there were very few who could bring to the table what he does. From leadership and on field play – to his athletic ability and the ability to pick things up quickly. Another talent that first year offensive line coach Garin Justice will help mold into a star-quality lineman who is capable of playing anywhere up front. Is rated as the No. 54 Prep Redzone Florida prospects, heading into this coming season. Will be the real deal!
Laurence Seymore Laurence Seymore 6'1" | 270 lbs | OL Miami Central | 2021 State FL , OG, 6-1, 270, Miami Central. Easily one of the most under evaluated linemen in this class – nationally. He is a classic example of people judging him by his measurables and NOT his talent. One of the first players to commit to Miami in this class, he is the most technical and fundamentally sound line prospects in this class – and in the state. He is rated as the No. 27 prospect by Prep Redzone Florida.
Brashard Smith Brashard Smith 5'10" | 180 lbs | WR Miami Palmetto | 2021 State FL , CB, 5-10, 180, Miami Palmetto. If you watched this quality talent perform enough, you already know that head coach Mike Manasco and the Panthers used him everywhere from running back and defensive back to receiver. One of the more under evaluated prospects in south Florida, he has a chance to be a real difference maker down the road for this program. Starts the year out as the No. 55 Prep Redzone Florida prospects.
Deshawn Troutman Deshawn Troutman 6'1" | 205 lbs | LB Orlando Edgewater | 2021 FL , LB, 6-1, 205, Orlando Edgewater. If you watched the state 7A runner up Eagles last season, you would have watched this impressive football talent making plays against a very talented St. Thomas Aquinas program. This is one of those commitments that many feel is just an average prospect, but that’s where you would be wrong. This is a solid talent that has a chance to be very special. A play-maker who continued to improve all season.
James Williams James Williams 6'4" | 205 lbs | DB Plantation American Heritage | 2021 State FL , S, 6-5, 220, Plantation American Heritage. Big time talent that was deemed a 5-star. He is one of those quality talents who can play a number of positions – which he has at Miami Monsignor Pace, Western and American Heritage. James is rated No. 5 in the Prep Redzone FloridaTop 100.
You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Foridakids1@aol.com. We are also on Social Media on Twitter (@PrepRedzonefl)