How NFL legend Jason Taylor secured four-star EDGE for Miami

Asharri Charles is a four-star EDGE recruit from Venice, Florida. He's one of the top 2026 recruits in the nation at his position, and he has the opportunity to play college ball just about anywhere he wants. 

Charles has nearly 40 offers to his name, but his decision process ultimately came down to a top group of Miami, Missouri, Florida, Kentucky and Louisville.

Charles ultimately committed to the Miami Hurricanes over the weekend, and head coach Mario Cristobal can give his defensive ends coach, Jason Taylor, a ton of credit for the pickup.

Taylor is a Pro Football Hall of Famer after a legendary career that saw him notch 139.5 sacks from 1997 to 2011. Most of his time in the NFL was spent with the Miami Dolphins, and now he's in Miami with the Hurricanes, trying to pass on the secrets of his incredible pass-rushing success.

Taylor and the opportunity to learn from him are what drew Charles to Miami.

"I talk with Coach Jason Taylor almost every week. He’ll send me drills, teach me stuff, and sometimes we don’t even talk about football. We talk about life and everything going on with our families," he told On3 last month, just weeks before his commitment.

“I think it’s very cool,” Charles said of Taylor's NFL chops and the ability to learn from one of the greats. “I feel like if he can do it, and he plays the same position I do and does everything the same way I do, then I can do it too.”

Checking in at 6-foot-2, 230 pounds, Charles is ranked as the No. 15 EDGE in the country, according to 247Sports. In 2024, he finished his junior season for Venice High School with 107 tackles (15.5 tackles for loss, 20 quarterback hits, 13.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.

He's simply a big-time pickup for the Hurricanes, and his future is bright with Taylor leading the way.