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Fun and random story: yesterday I was sitting in a Starbucks in Tyler, Texas (where I live when not at Baylor) and a man asked me in passing after seeing my shirt whether I had just finished at Baylor. I told him I'd only finished my freshman year when he noticed the Chamber logo on my shirt. As soon as he heard my name, he put the pieces together and realized who I was, all from personal details I've revealed here on ODB. The internet is amazing and that was seriously cool.
Recruiting
New 2015 Commit
Yesterday Baylor picked up a commitment from Jameson Houston, a defensive back from Austin St. Michael's, a 5A TAPPS school (which translates to roughly a 2A UIL school). Houston is big, listed anywhere from 6'0, 180 to 6'2, 190. This places him in the realm of prototype large corners like Richard Sherman or our own Xavien Howard. Houston will be raw considering his level of competition, but has the athleticism to play in the defensive backfield.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>If <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Baylor?src=hash">#Baylor</a> commit Jameson Houston ran in the Class 5A state 200 event in Austin, he would have finished 8th with his time of 21.51. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FAST?src=hash">#FAST</a></p>— Kevin Lonnquist (@baylorrivals) <a href="https://twitter.com/baylorrivals/statuses/494629843275771904">July 30, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Houston has track star speed, and his time won him a TAPPS state championship. He is a 2* recruit right now, but his Baylor commitment will likely earn him more exposure this season. Private school kids are often overlooked by the services initially.
Houston joins a scrappy and underrated crop of defensive recruits in the class of 2015 that includes himself, LBs Breckyn Hager and Clay Johnston, S Montrel Wilson, and CB Jordan Tolbert. Blake Lynch could possibly play defense as well. The class needs a defensive tackle or two pretty badly, but I'm a fan of who we have so far.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>The Newest Bear, Jameson Houston talks about his commitment. (FREE) <a href="http://t.co/XianH6773k">http://t.co/XianH6773k</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/247Sports">@247Sports</a></p>— Brian Ethridge (@TruthOrBear247) <a href="https://twitter.com/TruthOrBear247/statuses/494676520326004737">July 31, 2014</a></blockquote>
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New 2016 Offer
A Baylor offer has reportedly been extended to Erick Fowler, a 2016 DE from Manor, TX. Fowler is ranked seventh among weak-side defensive ends in his class and is currently a composite 4* recruit. He's 6'3, 210 with a frame that will do well in Bennett's system after some time with Kaz. Let's hope he ends up a Bear.
Baylor in Mayden's Top 10
2016 CB Jared Mayden narrowed down his field of suitors yesterday when he released his top ten through BearsTruth's own Amy Pagitt. Schools are listed in alphabetical order.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/MaydenII">@MaydenII</a> had a lot of schools to choose from, but he's focusing on these 10 as he enters into his Junior season: <a href="http://t.co/1sQognspoR">pic.twitter.com/1sQognspoR</a></p>— Amy Pagitt (@APBaylor247) <a href="https://twitter.com/APBaylor247/statuses/494649058091618304">July 31, 2014</a></blockquote>
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The no. 8 CB hails from Sachse and holds at least 25 offers and was Crystal Balled most heavily to Texas, whom he cut in today's list. Baylor, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M are all serious players. Baylor has two commits in the defensive backfield already for the class of 2016 in KeShawn Somerville and (we think) Eric Cuffee.
Pro Bears
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Saw some reports that Cyril Richardson was taking 1st-team reps at RG for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bills?src=hash">#Bills</a> today before the rain delay. Development worth monitoring.</p>— Chris Trapasso (@ChrisTrapasso) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisTrapasso/statuses/494570917742522368">July 30, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Finally getting a good look at Cyril Richardson today. Taking first team reps at RG. Getting overpowered a bit, but good experience for him.</p>— Matthew Fairburn (@MatthewFairburn) <a href="https://twitter.com/MatthewFairburn/statuses/494582766634139650">July 30, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Can Williams be consistent as starter?: OXNARD, Calif. -- Terrance Williams proved as a rookie that he had the... <a href="http://t.co/Eiff3THk6m">http://t.co/Eiff3THk6m</a></p>— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) <a href="https://twitter.com/espn_macmahon/statuses/494504628436742146">July 30, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Man of the Day: Terrance Williams. Spent 2 hours yesterday signing autographs. Was still autographing today when I left, even after poor day</p>— Dan Turner (@DTSTurner) <a href="https://twitter.com/DTSTurner/statuses/494674950813253633">July 31, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Terrance Lloyd and Chris McAllister are running as second string OLBs and DEs for the Houston Texans. Chance Casey is pushing for playing time at Oakland. Lache is adjusting to catching passes. RGIII is RGIII. A lot of guys, like Najvar and Dixon, have been out of the news for a few days. Tevin Reese is fast and will make the Chargers' final roster if he burns a few people in preseason play.
The Daily Bear
Helping Hands
Kate, who was in charge of the Daily Bears Report before Matthew and I staged our coup, shot me a message last night and asked me to spread the word about an effort to help out an incoming Baylor freshman who was involved in the recent fatal car crash with medical expenses. I could link it in, but a tweet is more likely to catch your eye and convey the message.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>An incoming Baylor freshman was in the crash that killed my School of Music classmates, and was seriously injured. <a href="http://t.co/N6GcFanGXm">http://t.co/N6GcFanGXm</a></p>— Kate Morrison (@unlikelyfanatic) <a href="https://twitter.com/unlikelyfanatic/statuses/494721442655662082">July 31, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Here's the GoFundMe for her medical expenses. <a href="http://t.co/RwbWbP2rF7">http://t.co/RwbWbP2rF7</a></p>— Kate Morrison (@unlikelyfanatic) <a href="https://twitter.com/unlikelyfanatic/statuses/494721600139190273">July 31, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Megan Ritzi was the youngest passenger in the vehicle and would have been one of my classmates this fall. So yeah, that's a little tough to digest. Best wishes for a speedy recovery to both Megan and Jacob Hale, the other survivor whose injuries are less severe.