Former Miami Hurricanes DL Leonard Taylor III emerges as Patriots’ postseason hero

On Oct. 14, former Miami defensive lineman Leonard Taylor III was released by the lowly New York Jets after one-and-a-half seasons with the team. This could have signaled the end of his professional playing career.

But instead, Taylor worked his way up from the New England Patriots’ practice squad over the last few months and then made the play of his life on Sunday to help lift the Patriots to the Super Bowl.

Holding a 10-7 lead with 4:46 remaining in the fourth quarter of the AFC Championship Game against the Denver Broncos, Taylor blocked a 46-yard field goal attempt by Will Lutz to cement New England’s win. This was Taylor’s first career field goal block.

“I just jumped in the air and I got a taste of the ball,” Taylor said. “I got a hit on the ball. But it was exciting, man, just the rush and adrenaline coming through my body knowing that I helped the team.”

Elevated from the Patriots’ practice squad in mid-December, Taylor has played a vital role as a rotational piece on the defensive line throughout their late-season run. He had a career game against his former team – the Jets – in Week 16, totaling four tackles.

Taylor has played a combined 52 defensive snaps in New England’s three playoff games. Against the Texans in the divisional round, he pressured quarterback CJ Stroud twice. He credits head coach Mike Vrabel for the warm environment he stepped into upon joining the Patriots.

“Coach Vrabel, amazing coach. Soon as I walked in the building, it was all smiles with him. He welcomed me in, started off in and out of the p-squad, just learning everything I had to do to understand what I needed to do so when it’s time to play, and then after that, it was up after that,” Taylor said. “I got an opportunity to play and show my ability and ever since it’s just been head over heels after that.”

Taylor was once a highly touted recruit who experts believed had the potential to play on stages like this. The five-star prospect in the class of 2021 opted to stay close to home and play at Miami. 

In his three seasons with Miami, Taylor totaled 65 tackles, six sacks, one interception and one pass breakup. He forwent his final year of college eligibility to declare for the 2023 NFL Draft, where he went undrafted and was later signed by the Jets.

Taylor will enter free agency after this season. His recent play could form a line of potential suitors, but expect the Patriots to make a heavy push for resigning their playoff savior.