With New Nutrition Regimen, Leonard Taylor III Is Poised for Impactful Junior Season

Junior defensive lineman Leonard Taylor III entered Miami’s fall camp weighing 310 pounds, a sizable difference from his 295-pound playing weight last season.

His change in nutrition, which Taylor says has made him “feel stronger,” has been a key reason for this weight gain.

Taylor is now on a diet consisting of three to four pre-portioned meals a day, prepared by a private chef. Each of these meals is labeled according to the day it should be eaten, and Taylor picks this food up at his agency office.

The explosive defensive tackle has maintained his lightning-quick first step after his increase in weight.

“It’s been great. Really, I just got to get back in a little bit more shape, but it’s been great,” Taylor said on Friday about his weight gain. “My weight’s been doing me good. I feel a lot stronger. I feel a lot faster.”

Taylor had a breakout sophomore campaign in 2022, totaling 24 tackles and three sacks. Under new defensive coordinator Lance Guidry, Taylor’s responsibilities are expected to be a bit different this upcoming season.

“It’s not a lot of me taking on gaps this year. We’re doing a lot more moving around, so it’s a lot more movement,” Taylor said.

Teammate and potential impact defensive lineman Branson Deen has been impressed by Taylor after UM’s first few fall practices.

“I’ve only been through three practices with him. I didn’t get a chance to play with him in the spring, but to be a young guy, he’s really seasoned,” the Purdue transfer said. “He plays like a [veteran]. I think a lot of the time he kind of looks at me for the lead, and he just goes out there and balls, but it’s been great playing with him and kind of working together with him.”

Expectations are high for Taylor leading into his third collegiate season, as some 2024 NFL mock drafts have the South Florida native getting drafted in the first round. With an improved diet and a hard-working mindset, Taylor is doing whatever it takes to live up to the preseason hype.

“I feel like I’m performing good,” Taylor said. “We’re all just trying to work, getting out there with my teammates, everybody’s pushing me to be better, and I’m pushing everybody.”

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