Tight end Kent Taylor has committed to join the Florida Gators, reports Laura McKeeman of FOX Sports. He announced his decision at a Thursday news conference held at Land O' Lakes High, the school he currently attends.

Rivals, Scout, and ESPNU rate Taylor a four-star prospect, and it's easy to see why: as a junior, he caught 35 passes for 571 yards and nine touchdowns, according to Scout. The year prior, Taylor tallied seven catches for 68 yards and four touchdowns.

The promise of playing in an offense that features the tight end lured Taylor to Florida. "Past history tells me [offensive coordinator Charlie] Weis will throw to the tight end," he said. And as Andy Hutchins of Alligator Army notes, Taylor's arrival could help Florida at a position with which it's struggled since Aaron Hernandez left for the NFL in 2009.

Several top programs, including the LSU Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide, courted Taylor, so his choice of struggling Florida may come as a bit of a surprise. But it's certainly a welcome one, something of which coach Will Muschamp and his staff can be proud.