Florida football recruiting: Four-star DL Brien Taylor commits to Gators as JUCO transfer

Football

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Image Credit: UAA

With more than a dozen now-former Florida Gators having entered the transfer portal already this offseason and a couple prospect having decommitted out of the Class of 2024, the program made its second acquisition to replenish its roster Monday. Four-star JUCO defensive lineman Brien Taylor chose to join the Gators, providing a significant boost at a position of need.

Taylor (6-foot-5, 270 pounds) has played the last two seasons at Blinn College where he has amassed 39 tackles (9.5 for loss), two sacks and a forced fumble as an interior lineman. He ultimately committed to Florida over Georgia, Tennessee and Auburn, though he held a bevy of scholarship offers from other Power Five programs as well.

Rated as the No. 9 overall JUCO prospect in the 247Sports Composite, Taylor will be a potential Day 1 contributor who could work his way to significant playing time if the coaching staff’s evaluation pans out. The fact that he was a target for so many prominent teams makes his acquisition a notable piece of positive momentum the Gators have sorely needed this offseason.

Florida has moved to No. 5 in the 247Sports Composite team rankings after Taylor’s commitment, jumping Miami. The Gators now have 20 prospects in their Class of 2023.

UF continues to target a number of high school prospects and transfer portal candidates.