LT #93

Leonard Taylor III

Defensive Tackle · Miami

A former five-star recruit who made an unlikely, season-saving play in New England's AFC Championship win.

Leonard Taylor III arrived at Miami as one of the most hyped defensive line recruits in the country, then had to fight his way into the league as an undrafted free agent. After being cut by the Jets in October 2025, he found a home on New England's practice squad and delivered one of the biggest defensive plays of the Patriots' Super Bowl LX run.

★ Five-star recruit; Under Armour All-America Game and All-American Bowl selection

★ 23.5 career tackles for loss at Miami

★ Tipped a potential game-tying field goal in New England's AFC Championship win over Denver

Path to the league

Taylor was a five-star recruit out of Miami Palmetto Senior High School who played in both the Under Armour All-America Game and the All-American Bowl before starring at the University of Miami from 2021 to 2023, recording 64 tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss and six sacks in 31 games. He went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft and signed with the New York Jets.

Career highlights

Taylor made the Jets' initial 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie in 2024 and appeared in 14 games, recording 24 tackles, four tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He was released by New York in October 2025 after appearing in two games that season.

2025 season recap

After his release from the Jets, Taylor signed with the New England Patriots' practice squad on October 16, 2025. He became a key contributor down the stretch, most notably tipping a potential game-tying field goal attempt by Broncos kicker Wil Lutz late in the AFC Championship Game, helping New England hold on for a 10-7 win and a trip to Super Bowl LX. He signed a reserve/futures contract with the Patriots on February 11, 2026.