Baylor's big year boosts future defense

The happiest man at Baylor on Signing Day might be Bears defensive coordinator Phil Bennett. Baylor went heavy on defense in its 2012 recruiting class, and for that it can thank a pretty good offensive player: Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III. The successes of Griffin and Baylor's high-scoring offense in 2011 have paid off in the form of some much-needed prospects on the defensive side. San Antonio Sam Houston HS defensive lineman Javonte McGee and Euless Trinity linebacker Brian Nance are both US Army All-Americans who signed with Baylor. "I think you would have to dust off a few Texas Football Magazines to find somebody as big of a recruit as Magee signing to come to Baylor," coach Art Briles said in comments posted on BaylorBears.com. "This guy could have gone anywhere in the nation and he chose Baylor." Briles added that Nance is also an "impact player." In all, 13 of Baylor's 23 recruits are defensive players: four linemen, four linebackers and five defensive backs. That's not counting three designated as "athletes" who could end up on defense. No doubt, a 67-56 win over Washington in the Alamo Bowl left a big impression on recruits as well as the coaching staff. "We really tried to address the defensive side of the ball this year," Briles said. "We feel like, without question, that we landed some guys that will be All-Americans and play on Sundays." The offensive side wasn't ignored. Among the prospects is Richardson Pearce wide receiver Corey Coleman, rated No. 23 nationally at his position by Scout.com. Whether it was Baylor's success last season, or that the success revealed an obvious need on defense, the Bears clearly benefited from unprecedented exposure in 2011. Baylor signed the No. 30 class in the nation according to Scout.com, up 20 spots from a year ago. "By far the most talented we have signed in my time here," Briles said. "I think it's reflective of how our 2011 season went. Putting 10 wins up and having won the Heisman Trophy, as well as the idea of having a new football stadium, all played a huge part in this year's recruiting class." Griffin also played a part, although indirectly. Among Wednesday's signees was 6-foot-3, 195-pound Seth Russell, a dual-threat quarterback out of Garland. If RG3 hadn't opted to turn pro, where he'll likely be one of the first two quarterbacks taken in the NFL draft, Russell likely would have signed somewhere else. "No question it came into play," Briles said. "If Robert had decided to stay in college, we probably would not have taken a quarterback this year. During our camps last year, Seth Russell was a guy we, as a coaching staff, could not take our eyes off of. We kept in contact with Seth since last year, up until today, and we are excited about him coming to Baylor." Apparently, a lot of other people are excited about coming to Baylor, especially after the historic season the Bears had in 2011. Follow Keith Whitmire on Twitter: @Keith_Whitmire