JUCO DL Brien Taylor Jr. Commits to Florida

Florida acquires much-needed defensive line talent via transfer with the commitment of junior college prospect Brien Taylor Jr.

Photo: Billy Napier and the Florida Gators; Credit: Alex Shepherd

Florida has secured the commitment of junior college defensive line prospect Brien Taylor Jr., he announced on Monday via On3 Sports.

"The whole town is invested into Gator football & I’m ready to contribute to a rebuild," Taylor said in his pledge. 

Taylor, a product of Blinn College in Texas, opted for Florida over transfer interest from Tennessee, Georgia, Oklahoma State, Auburn and others. 

His commitment comes one day after he officially visited the Gators, a weekend in which he bonded with Florida coaches including edge rushers assistant Mike Peterson and defensive line analyst Kali James Jr., the latter of which is handling defensive line coaching duties in place of the recently dismissed Sean Spencer.

"When I first got here, it was strictly football, but I got to see more of UF," Taylor told All Gators following his visit. "See what everyday life is like for the students like working with me, going out and that type of stuff.

"They make you know when you come in, it ain't just football. They're going to make sure you're [good] for life as a man. It's somewhere to be for sure."

The 6-foot-6, 270-pound Taylor, a native of Houston, Texas, is considered the No. 3 defensive lineman and No. 9 overall prospect by the 247Sports composite JUCO prospect rankings for the class of 2024. He accumulated 39 total tackles, two sacks, 9.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble in 13 appearances with Blinn College. 

Taylor becomes the fourth defensive front member of Florida's 2024 recruiting class, joining LJ McCray of Daytona Beach (Fla.) Mainland, Amaris Williams of Clinton (N.C.) High and Michai Boireau of Hampton (Ga.) Creekside.

Florida fans might recall Blinn College, the school Taylor is transferring from, as the program that quarterback Cam Newton transferred into following his departure from UF in 2009. Of course, Newton went on to transfer to Auburn and win the 2010 BCS National Championship. 

This is a breaking news story that will be updated.

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