Florida's recruiting efforts for the Class of 2012 just got a big boost: Kent Taylor has committed to Florida, bringing Will Muschamp's first full class of recruits to 17 players. Taylor, a tight end from Land O' Lakes High School north of Tampa, was long considered a Florida lean, had reportedly committed to a team just before word that the Gators want to take three tight ends in this recruiting class leaked, and probably became an even more vital recruit when Gerald Christian announced he would transfer earlier this week.
Taylor is the No. 1-ranked tight end in the Class of 2012 by both Rivals and Scout, and is a four-star prospect according to both services; Taylor's also a four-star prospect according to ESPNU, which rates him fourth among tight ends (first is fellow Florida commit Colin Thompson) and has him in the ESPNU 150. Rivals rates Taylor as the nation's No. 55 prospect in the Class of 2012.
We'll have a full breakdown of Taylor in the coming day or two, including what he can do for Florida and highlights from his high school career, but it suffices to say that Taylor could provide stability at the tight end position that has bedeviled Florida since Aaron Hernandez' early departure for the NFL after the 2009 season.
And his commitment is a nice bit of good news in Muschamp's often dreary first season in Gainesville.