Here we are in the calm before the storm, ladies and gents. Tomorrow is National Signing Day, otherwise known as Christmas in the recruiting world. Days like tomorrow are when the seeds of future success are sewn and programs are truly built. Unlike in years past, Baylor should have a relatively quiet NSD; we're not really "in" on any uncommitted recruits at this point and I don't expect that we will get any high profile switches. If what you are looking for is new and shiny recruits choosing Baylor on the last day, you might be disappointed. If what you want is for Baylor to lock down its class and move into the offseason, then I actually have good news, quiet works both ways in this instance. Everyone Baylor has currently committed should sign on the dotted line and pledge themselves as Baylor Bears.
I'm going to do everything I can to keep you guys as up-to-date as possible about tomorrow's festivities. I will put a post up in the morning that I will update as the day goes on with the recruits that have signed their LOIs and faxed them in to Baylor. The official site will be doing the same, and Coach Briles will host a press conference in the afternoon to talk about the class. That is the first time he can actually talk openly about our recruits, so you might want to watch to hear his thoughts. I'll be watching and will post what I can.
The first signing ceremonies should start around 8:00 AM. I look forward to an exciting day on the board!
Here are a few links you'll want to know for NSD tomorrow:
Baylor Bears Official Athletic Site - BaylorBears.com - Football- That link should take you to the Signing Day HQ for Baylor Football. There are links there to the press conference (when it happens) and blurbs about each player as they sign and fax in their LOIs. With everything our sports communication staff has done this year, this should probably be the first place you go for NSD news (besides ODB, of course). Scout.com: Bears Signing Day Central- Get the most up-to-the-minute info on signing day events right here at BearsIllustrated.com. BearsTruth.com- Baylor's 247Sports site. SicEmSports.com- Baylor's Rivals.com site.
NSD isn't the only thing going tomorrow. The excitement continues into the evening when our Baylor Bears take on the Texas A&M Aggies in College Station.
- NCAA College Basketball Preview - Baylor Bears at Texas A&M Aggies - Feb 01, 2012 - CBSSports.com
Baylor opened Big 12 play by limiting Texas A&M to its worst shooting effort. Defending the Aggies could be even easier in the rematch.- College Confidential: Texas A&M's Middleton expected to miss Baylor game; Harris may also miss
Texas A&M basketball coach Billy Kennedy said he expects forward Khris Middleton (knee) to miss Wednesday’s game against No. 6 Baylor and point guard Dash Harris (foot) remains "day to day" for the contest in College Station (8 p.m., ESPN)....- No. 6 MBB, A&M Clash in 205th Battle of the Brazos - Baylor Bears Official Athletic Site - BaylorBears.com- No. 6/6 Baylor (19-2, 6-2) aims to complete its second consecutive series sweep of TexasA&M(12-8, 3-5) when the two teams square off Wednesday in College Station for the final time in the regular season as Big 12 Conference rivals. Tip-off is set for 8:05 p.m. CSTon ESPN2
- Texas A&M seeks neutral site games against UT, Baylor in men's basketball | College Sports | ...- Good luck with that, Aggies.
There has been a lot of movement recently in the major Texas programs (Big XII and former Big XII) in terms of recruiting. Below the jump I've tried to keep track of that movement. Things have been absolutely crazy this year.
We'll start with the easiest one, and again, this is just recent commits/decommits/grade drops. This is obviously just what I've heard, too, so it is by no means definitive. All rankings are from Rivals since that's what people know best.
Texas Tech-- IN: Olaoluwa Falemi (3* DB), OUT: None. The big news for Tech was fighting off Baylor for Dominique Wheeler and Ladarius Newbold, both of whom flirted heavily with switching. I would have bet serious money that Wheeler was going to switch, but he didn't.
Texas-- IN: Bryce Cottrell (3* WDE), Daje Johnson (4* ATH/WR), and Dalton Santos (high 3* MLB), OUT: Thomas Johnson (4* WR). Great end to the class for Texas, despite missing out on the biggest possible fish in DGB. Cottrell switched from Oregon, Daje Johnson from TCU, and Santos from Tennessee.
Texas A&M-- IN: Polo Manukainiu (high 3* DE), Ed Pope (4* ATH/S), Sabian Holmes (3* WR), Devante Harris (4* DB), OUT: Colin Blake (4* DB), Corey Thompson (high 3* DB), Michael Wilson (high 3* OL), maybe Bralon Addison (4* ATH/WR), Darion Monroe (4* DB), and Marion Grice (4* RB JUCO). I think there are actually more that I might be missing on the OUT list. A&M has done well with their last recruits to offset their losses. I really wanted Polo.
TCU-- IN: Deante Gray (3* WR), Aviante Collins (3* OL), Derrick Kindred (2* DB), Jordan Moore (3* S), James McFarland (3* LB), Zach Jackson (3* DB), OUT: Daje Johnson (4* ATH/WR), Ed Pope (3* S). Jordan Moore is the big score here, his offer list includes Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, and a host of other good schools. A big late helium guy.
Baylor-- IN: Orion Stewart (2* DB-- unranked until today), Patrick Levels (3* DB), Seth Russell (3* QB), Rashodrick Linwood (3* ATH/WR). OUT: Zack Sanchez (3* CB), Sabian Holmes (3* WR). QB was a need for this class after RG3 decided to go pro, and Russell was a good take as a raw QB with all of the tools Briles looks for. Linwood switched from TCU, while Levels committed to Baylor over several late offers and Stewart jumped on his Baylor offer almost before it was out of his coach's mouth.
By now just about everyone knows that Baylor has two secret commits that will be announced tomorrow. All I'm going to say is that it's great to see these guys on twitter excited about becoming Baylor Bears tomorrow. HINT HINT. YOU SHOULD LOOK AT WHO I AM FOLLOWING ON TWITTER RECENTLY.