Dairo Melendez

Played in five games during his first season with the Maroon and Gold · Finished with eight total tackles · Collected a season-high four tackles in a home win over Alabama A&M (9/27) Spent the 2023 season at Myrtle Beach Collegiate Post Grad Academy in South Carolina · -Ranked as a three-star recruit along the defensive line for the Class of 2023 by 247Sports, ESPN, and On3 -Rated as a three-star recruit at defensive tackle for the Class of 2023 by Rivals -Lined up at both defensive tackle and defensive end for Miami Immaculata-La Salle High School and head coach Helder Valle -Was a three-year starter for the Royal Lions -Named one of the top defensive linemen in 2023 by Florida Varsity Rivals and by The Crib South Florida -Finished his four-year high school career with 180 tackles, including 105 solo stops, 36.5 tackles-for-loss, 11.5 sacks, and 23 quarterback hurries -Recorded 53 total tackles, 10.0 tackles-for-loss, and 3.0 sacks over 10 games his senior year -Tabbed the MaxPreps Defensive Player of the Game in the win over Somerset Academy (Oct. 8, 2021) -Totaled 63 tackles and 4.0 sacks in his junior year in helping lead the Royal Lions to a perfect 10-0 regular season and advance to the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Class 4A playoffs -Also letters in track & field where he was a district qualifier as a junior in both the shot put and discuss Originally signed with Coastal Carolina as a member of the recruiting class of 2023 · Ranked as a three-star recruit along the defensive line for the Class of 2023 by 247Sports, ESPN, and On3 · Rated as a three-star recruit at defensive tackle for the Class of 2023 by Rivals · Lined up at both defensive tackle and defensive end for Miami Immaculata-La Salle High School and head coach Helder Valle · Was a three-year starter for the Royal Lions · Named one of the top defensive linemen in 2023 by Florida Varsity Rivals and by The Crib South Florida · Finished his four-year high school career with 180 tackles, including 105 solo stops, 36.5 tackles-for-loss, 11.5 sacks, and 23 quarterback hurries · Recorded 53 total tackles, 10.0 tackles-for-loss, and 3.0 sacks over 10 games his senior year · Tabbed the MaxPreps Defensive Player of the Game in the win over Somerset Academy (Oct. 8, 2021) · Totaled 63 tackles and 4.0 sacks in his junior year in helping lead the Royal Lions to a perfect 10-0 regular season and advance to the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Class 4A playoffs · Also letters in track & field where he was a district qualifier as a junior in both the shot put and discus Born March 11, 2004 · Speaks Spanish fluently as a second language · Father is Dairo Melendez Sr. · Has three siblings – Dairis Melendez, Andres Melendez and David Melendez · His father, Dairo Sr., boxed professionally in Colombia