Dec. 26, 2007

Rodney Brisbon, an All-American junior college offensive lineman at Northwest Mississippi Community College, has signed a National Letter of Intent to play football at Baylor, Bears' head coach Art Briles has announced. The first signee of the Bears' new coaching staff, Brisbon will have two years of eligibility remaining when he enrolls at Baylor next month.

"R.J. (Brisbon) is a great person with a big body and an intense mind," Briles said. "He'll create competition in the offensive line for us. We believe he'll step in and contribute immediately."

A 6-6, 330-pound, native of Wetumpka, Ala., Brisbon was listed as a four-star recruit by Scout.com after earning first-team All-America honors as an offensive tackle in 2006 at Northwest Mississippi Community College and second-team recognition from JC Gridwire. He signed a National Letter of Intent in 2007 to attend the University of Houston and play for Briles' Cougars, but did not enroll at the school last fall.

"Coach Briles is like a second father to me," Brisbon told a Scout.com reporter recently. "He is real cool and laid-back. He doesn't rush things, and I like his personality. Baylor is the right school for me."

Brisbon, who helped Northwest Mississippi Community College to a 6-4 record and the North Division title, also received All-Region XXIII accolades. He was a first-team Mississippi Association Community/Junior College all-state selection as well as the MACJC's most valuable offensive lineman.

Selected as his team's offensive MVP as a senior at Robert E. Lee High School in Montgomery, Ala., Brisbon earned first-team all-state and all-metro honors for the Generals. He was also selected as a team captain and was tabbed to play in the state all-star game. Brisbon was recruited by Oklahoma State, Kansas State, Miami (Fla.) and Ole Miss coming out of high school.

The national signing day for high school student-athletes is Feb. 6, 2008.