A day after returning home from an official visit to West Lafayette, East Coast big man Jacquil Taylor committed to Purdue Monday night.

The 6-foot-10, 215-pound post from Beaver Country Day High School in Cambridge, Mass., joins forward Vince Edwards and guard Dakota Mathias as commitments for Purdue's 2014 recruiting class.

"I felt like it was the best opportunity for me," Taylor said, "and that they just had more to offer."

Taylor chose the Boilermakers over a final list of Providence, St. Joseph's and North Carolina A&T, where his brother plays. The Friars took a commitment from another player Monday and were no longer a consideration.

Prior to a foot injury that sidelined him for the spring and summer, Taylor was offered by Maryland, Massachusetts and others.

The Boilermakers have prioritized size for their 2014 recruiting class, in part due to current starting center A.J. Hammons ' NBA potential.

"I think I can help them by being a defensive presence," Taylor said, "and just by playing as hard as I usually do."

Academics were critical to Taylor's decision. He's planning to study computer graphics.