Football welcomes 23 signees

Head coach Art Briles announces Baylor’s acceptance to the 2011 Valero Alamo Bowl on Sunday at the Simpson Athletics Center. Baylor will play Washington at 8 p.m. Dec. 29 in San Antonio.Matt Hellman | Lariat Photo Editor

Baylor head coach football Art Briles announced today 23 student-athletes have signed their National Letter of Intent to play football at Baylor University.

Defense was a focus for the Bears in this recruiting class as 13 of the student-athletes come from the defensive side of the ball, including four lineman, four linebackers and five defensive backs.

Seven offensive players also signed their letter to Baylor: two lineman, three receivers, one running back and one quarterback. Baylor also had three athletes in the signing class.

In the 2012 class, Baylor boasts three four-star recruits. Lineman Javonte Magee from Sam Houston High School in San Antonio and linebacker Brian Nance from Trinity High School in Euless are both defensive prep All-Americans, and receiver Corey Coleman of Pearce High School in Richardson is a national top-250 prospect.

All but one of the signees is from Texas, and all but one is an incoming freshman. Linebacker Eddie Lackey is the exception for both as he is from Riverside Community College in Murrieta, Calif.

See Thursday’s Lariat for comments from coach Art Briles as well as information on Baylor’s marquee recruits.