Safety Isaiah Taylor, the son of Miami defensive line coach Jason Taylor announced on Friday his intention to transfer from Arizona. Taylor could be a good fit for the Miami football program. Miami desperately needs to add depth at safety after Kamren Kinchens and James Williams announced they will enter the 2024 NFL Draft.
In three seasons at Arizona, Taylor had 56 tackles, one tackle for loss, one interception and three passes defended. The sole interception by Taylor helped Arizona clinch the 2022 Territorial Cup against archrival Arizona State. Taylor signed with Arizona as a three-star prospect in 2021 out of St. Thomas Aquinas.
Taylor will have two seasons of eligibility remaining as a redshirt sophomore in 2023. As a freshman in 2021, Taylor played in four games allowing him to maintain his redshirt. Taylor had 40 tackles, one TFL, three passes defended and one interception as a key contributor during his redshirt freshman season in 2022.
Taylor’s numbers went down this season with 15 tackles. Taylor was the 1,561st prospect, 132nd safety and 212th player in Florida in the 2021 class. Taylor had 79 tackles, four passes defended, two forced fumbles and two fumbled recoveries in high school playing three seasons for St. Thomas Aquinas per Max Preps.
Miami desperately needs depth at safety on the 2024 roster with Kinchens and Williams foregoing their final season of eligibility to enter the 2024 NFL Draft. Fourth-year redshirt Sophomore Brian Balom is the only other safety listed on the Miami Football roster.
Jaden Harris and Markeith Williams who are listed as defensive backs can also play safety. True freshman Kaleb Spencer who played linebacker in high school is also listed as a defensive back and has frequently been projected as a safety in college. Miami 2024 commit Zaquan Patterson is projected as a safety in college.
Patterson is listed as an athlete. Expect Miami to be very active in the transfer portal targeting safeties. Arizona Daily Star reporter Justin Spears who covers the Wildcats said he would be very surprised if Taylor doesn’t wind up at Miami. Expect Miami to add two to three safeties in the 2024 transfer portal cycle.