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Former Florida defensive lineman Brien Taylor Jr. won't be returning to college in the wake of an eligibility ruling that provided players from the class of 2022 an additional season of eligibility.
Instead, Taylor Jr. is headed to the professional level after signing with the New Orleans Saints Friday following a workout with the organization, according to NewOrleans.Football's Nick Underhill.
A transfer from Blinn College ahead of the 2024 season, Taylor appeared in 22 games at Florida. The 2025 campaign marked Taylor's senior year of college, and he pursued a waiver for a third year of NCAA eligibility, which ultimately wasn't granted. Taylor took visits to Tennessee and Clemson in the hopes of playing in 2026, and he discussed his waiver process after visiting the Vols, expressing optimism he'd be cleared.
"Everybody helping with it — like, my agency and the attorney, all these other schools fighting to get me — everybody thinks it's, like, automatic go I'm going to get it, because I've only played two years in the NCAA," Taylor told GoVols247 of his waiver pursuit. "And, like, they're handing out JUCO years to people that didn't already play three, so I know I'm going to get mine. That's just what I feel …
"Like, people will be saying that they're going to have a ruling just for everybody — going to get it, and we'll not have to apply — but I ain't waiting for that. You don't know when that'll be."
Unfortunately for Taylor, that wasn't the case, and he turned his attention to preparing for the 2026 NFL Draft, where he went undrafted.
Taylor experienced a breakout year on UF's defensive line in 2025, recording 24 total tackles including three for loss, two sacks and one forced fumble over 12 appearances. He posted 15 tackles with two for loss in 2024.
Taylor impressed in Florida's 29-21 upset victory over Texas, when he logged three tackles and 1.5 sacks over 24 defensive snaps in last season's matchup. Per Pro Football Focus, Taylor also generated five quarterback pressures against the Longhorns, a single-game career high, leading teammates to praise his performance.
"Yeah, my guy BT, man. I'm super happy for him, man, and that's just a guy who's always there for his teammates and always the first to celebrate with his teammates," Florida linebacker Myles Graham said of Taylor's performance against Texas in October.
"Man, when I make a play, or anybody else makes a play, he's first on the scene to come celebrate with us man, and we were there for him, so we've been working extremely hard these past few weeks this offseason, and it's paying off for him, and I'm excited to see how he keeps progressing in the evolution of his playing career."
In his collegiate career, Taylor logged 38 total tackles with five for loss, two sacks and one forced fumble. Furthermore, Pro Football Focus credited Taylor with recording 11 quarterback pressures and 10 defensive stops (tackles that constitute a failed play for the offense) over his two seasons with the Gators.
Now, Taylor will look to carve out a professional career as he joins the Saints after going undrafted.