Baylor
Bears

Baylor Team Report

Updated: February 03, 2012 02:00 EST

Two things impacted Baylor's approach to recruiting this season.

One was the problems the Bears had on defense in 2011, as evidenced in the 67-56 track meet the bowl win over Washington turned into.

"The thing that we really tried to really address this year was the defensive side of the ball," coach Art Briles said after announcing a 23-member class of signees that featured 13 listed at defensive positions plus one of three other "athletes" who could wind up there. "We really felt without question we landed some guys who can be All-Americans and play on Sundays.

"Our philosophy has always been if we don't think they're All-Americans or have the ability to play on Sunday we don't need to be recruiting them.

"So we feel we got some guys who can come in and make an impact on that side of the ball."

The other issue was at quarterback.

Though it would be asking a lot for a newcomer to step in for Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III, the Bears did decide they needed to sign a quarterback after Griffin opted to enter the NFL draft a year early.

Seth Russell, a dual-threat quarterback out of Garland, Texas, was the guy.

"No question it came into play," Briles said of Griffin leaving. "If Robert had decided to stay in college, we probably would not have taken a quarterback this year."

Russell impressed Briles during Baylor's summer camps a year ago.

"We kept in constant contact with Seth from early June until today," Briles said. "And we always let him be very aware of what our situation was with RG III."

TOP OF THE CLASS

DE Javonte Magee (Houston HS, San Antonio, Texas) -- The Bears are constantly looking for help on defense, and Magee, 6 feet 6 and 273 pounds, arrives as one of the highest-rated prospects at his position. "This guy could have gone anywhere in the nation and he chose Baylor," Briles said.

WR Corey Coleman (Pearce HS, Richardson, Texas) -- At 5-11, 178, Coleman fits in the same mold as returnees Lanear Sampson and Tevin Reese.

S Aiavion Edwards (Stephenville HS, Stephenville, Texas) -- Edwards must have been watching the Bears thinking, "I can help there." He should push veterans Sam Holl and Mike Hicks.

--Two of Baylor's signees have already enrolled in school and will take part in spring drills. They are LB Eddie Lackey from Riverside Community College, the only junior college transfer, and freshman WR Lynx Hawthorne from Refugio (Texas)High. Lackey is from Murrieta, Calif.

--Baylor's finishes at No. 13 in the AP poll and No. 12 in USA Today were its highest rankings since 1986, when the Bears finished No. 12 (AP) and No. 13.

SPRING SNAPSHOT:

Practice begins/ends: TBD

Practice priorities: Can you say "rebuild"? The Bears are facing a big task on offense with the losses of Robert Griffin III, RB Terrance Ganaway, and IR Kendall Wright.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "We are always going to recruit Texas. You don't have to look far to find what you're looking for sometimes." -- coach Art Briles, after bringing in 22 Texas players in a signing class of 23.

KEY LOSSES: Obviously, QB Robert Griffin III's decision to enter the NFL draft, while no surprise, certainly has a big impact on the offense. Also gone are his favorite receiver, Kendall Wright, and RB Terrance Ganaway. Three key losses on defense are DT Tracy Robertson, NG Nicolas Jean-Baptiste and LB Elliot Coffey.

PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2012:

RB Jarred Salubi -- Salubi had a big finish to his year with 101 yards rushing in the bowl win over Washington. He finished the year with 364 yards rushing on just 58 carries.

WR Terrance Williams -- Williams will step into the role as No. 1 receiver. He had 59 catches in 2011, enough to lead most teams in that category.

CB K.J. Morton -- Morton led the Bears with four interceptions in 2011. How he bounces back from a subpar effort in the bowl game can be crucial if Baylor's secondary, which also returns four other starters in the 4-2-5, is to make strides in 2012.

S Sam Holl -- Holl had three interceptions and was second on the team with 113 tackles.

PLAYER NOTES

--QB Robert Griffin III, who declared for the NFL draft on Jan. 11, finished his three-year collegiate career with eight school single-game records, 26 season and 20 career passing records. He was named the winner of the Manning Award on Jan. 24 as the nation's top quarterback.

--LB Brian Nance, a member of the 2012 signing class, had knee surgery last March but is on schedule in his rehab, coach Art Briles said.

--RB Lache Seastrunk, who sat out last year after transferring from Oregon, has no issues physically and has shown maturity in the classroom and off the field, according to coach Art Briles. "He's hungry enough right now he's willing to prove himself," Briles said. "You mix talent with hunger, you get a pretty product. I've been around a lot of people that way."

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