Miami lands former LSU commit Lafayette over Florida State

Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal. Jeff Romance-Imagn Images

Miami lands former LSU commit DeAnthony Lafayette over Florida State

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Nov 10, 2025 9:22 PM ET

The Miami Hurricanes and head coach Mario Cristobal are building a 2026 recruiting class that looks like it could be one of the best in the nation when all is said and done.

The Hurricanes' class is ranked No. 10 nationally, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, and it just got stronger with the addition of four-star EDGE DeAnthony Lafayette.

Lafayette is from Orlando and he was previously committed to the LSU Tigers. He decommitted when Brian Kelly was fired, and ultimately, he decided to choose between the Hurricanes and Florida State Seminoles. It was Miami that won out, and it was a decision that the four-star saw coming from a mile away.

“I was back there this weekend, and I’ve known I was going to Miami for a little bit now,” Lafayette told Chad Simmons of Rivals. “I chose Miami over Florida State after the change at LSU.”

Lafayette is ranked as the No. 36 EDGE in the 2026 class, according to the 247Sports Composite. Choosing Miami allows him to stay in-state to play college football, but he is also looking forward to the opportunity to learn from defensive line coach Jason Taylor.

BREAKING: Four-Star EDGE DeAnthony Lafayette has Committed to Miami, he tells me for @rivals

The 6’1 230 EDGE from Orlando, FL decommitted from LSU yesterday

“Bringing Orlando to Miami, go Canes!”https://t.co/A63FasLzD1 pic.twitter.com/4LVVhTrrRB
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) November 10, 2025

Jason Taylor helps Miami land four-star EDGE DeAnthony Lafayette

“Coach Taylor was a big part of my decision. He’s one of the best coaches in the country. Look at what he’s doing with players at Miami — he’s a great coach who can really develop players," Lafayette said.

Taylor was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year with the Miami Dolphins in 2006 and he's a Pro Football Hall of Famer. He notched 139.5 sacks in his legendary NFL career, so there are few better to learn the art of pass-rushing from.

Ultimately, Lafayette believes in the program that Cristobal is building in Coral Gables. At the time of this writing, the Hurricanes are 7-2 and ranked No. 18 in the country. They're currently on the outside looking in at the College Football Playoff, but Cristobal is building a contender, without a doubt.

“Coach Cristobal is working hard to get Miami back to the top, and I 100% believe he will do it," Lafayette said.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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