Feb. 7, 2007

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WACO, Texas -- Baylor University head football coach Guy Morriss announced Wednesday the signing of 27 players to National Letters of Intent for the 2007-08 academic year. Included in Morriss' fifth Baylor recruiting class are 22 high school standouts and five junior college transfers. In addition, quarterback Michael Machen graduated early from Kent State and transferred into the Baylor program and will have one year of eligibility remaining.

"This is by far the best recruiting class we've signed in the five years we've been at Baylor," said Morriss. "I believe that each of classes has improved and this group will further strengthen the foundation of our program for years to come."

"I believe that the two areas we really need to improve in, along the offensive and defensive lines, have been fortified with some men who can come in and contribute early in their careers," he added.

Included in the 2007 class are 12, 3-star and 1, four-star Rivals.com recruits. The class also includes three players whose fathers earned All-America honors at Baylor--LB Chris Francis (son of James Francis, 1986-89), Athlete V.J. McElroy (son of Vann McElroy, 1978-81) and DE Matt Singletary (son of Mike Singletary, 1977-80).

Three of the five junior college transfers--OL James Barnard, LB Leon Freeman and QB John Weed, are currently enrolled at Baylor and will go through spring practice along with Machen, which begins March 20. In addition, DT Rex McDougald graduated early from Iola (Texas) High School and enrolled at Baylor in Jan., 2007 to begin his collegiate career early.

The Bears' 2007 newcomers include:

#-Enrolled at Baylor in January 2007.

2007 Baylor Football Class Breakdown:

By State:
Texas (22): Blaylock, Brewster, Buerck, Coffey, Douglass, Epperson, Francis, Green, Hightower, Johnson, J. Jones, McDougald, McElroy, Morgan, Odom, Rosebud, Scotton, Sims, Tuck, Valcin, Weed, Williams.

California (2): Newton, Singletary.

Alabama (1): Machen.

Florida (1): Freeman.

Kansas (1): Barnard.

Louisiana (1): Patin.

By Position (First Position Listed):

Offense (12): Barnard, OL; Blaylock, WR; Buerck, WR; Green, OG; Hightower, OT; J. Jones, OL; Machen, QB; Morgan, OG; Newton, WR; Tuck, WR; Weed, QB; Williams, WR.

Defense (13): Coffey, S; Douglass; DE; Francis, LB; Freeman, DE; Johnson, DE; McDougald, DT; Odom, CB; Patin, LB; Rosebud, CB; Scotton, DL; Sims, S; Singletary, DE; Valcin, DB.

Kickers (2): Brewser, PK; Epperson, P.

Athlete (1): McElroy.

Romie Blaylock
WR • 5-11 • 170 • Cedar Hill, Texas (Cedar Hill)

One of three Cedar Hill standouts in Baylor's 2007 class, joining LB Chris Francis and OT John Jones, wide receiver Romie Blaylock is ranked 43rd on the Dallas Morning News' Area Top 100 list ... 2006 Dave Campbell Texas Football Texas Top 300 member ... 3-star Rivals.com ranking ... Helped coach Joey McGuire's 2006 Longhorns to the Class 5A Division II state championship and a 16-0 record ... Totaled 32 receptions for 590 yards and seven touchdowns in final prep season to earn second-team all-district honors .. Also played cornerback as a senior ... As a junior, he caught 13 passes for 177 yards and one touchdown en route to second-team all-district honors for the 7-4, Division II bi-district finalists ... Helped Longhorns to first district title in some 25 years in 2005 ... Caught 33 passes for 500 yards as a sophomore en route to 2004 District 7-5A sophomore of the year honors ... Placed third in the 2006 Class 5A 400-meter dash in a personal-best 47.39 ... 2006 Dallas Morning News All-Area track and field team selection ... Placed third in the 2005 Junior Olympics 400 ... Selected Baylor over Kansas State, Colorado, Purdue, UTEP, Houston, SMU, Tulane and Boise State ... Son of Romie S. Blaylock Sr. and Niki Blaylock ... Enjoys dancing, singing, dominos and shooting pool ... Cousin of former Baylor CB C.J. Wilson ... B-Honor Roll ... FCA member has volunteered for duty at the food pantry and clothing store ... Received 2005-06 Achievement Academy Award and 2005-06 Who's Who American High School Award ... Romie S. Blaylock Jr., was born Aug. 23, 1989, in Dallas ... "He's so unselfish, he doesn't care who gets the credit, he just wants to win," said McGuire of Blaylock. "That's why we like him on defense, because he has absolutely no concern for his body. His teammates are more important."

James Barnard
OL • 6-4 • 285 • Overland Park, Kan. (Shawnee Mission South/Coffeyville C.C.)

One of three mid-year junior college transfers to join the program, James Barnard will contend for playing time along the Baylor offensive line at either tackle or guard as a sophomore ... Has three years of eligibility remaining ... Earned second-team All-Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference honors as a redshirt freshman offensive tackle for coach Jeff Leiker ... Helped Coffeyville to a 7-4 record and a No. 13 national ranking in 2006 ... The 13th-ranked Ravens dropped a 26-21 decision to No. 3 Snow in the Zions Bank Top of the Mountains Bowl, Dec. 2 in Salt Lake City ... Played high school football at Shawnee Mission South in Overland Park, Kan. ... Two-year starter at left offensive tackle ... K.C. Metro All-Star Game participant ... Also considered UAB, Ole Miss, Memphis and Temple ... Team captain as a senior ... Also lettered two years in wrestling ... Enjoys hunting and fishing ... An education major who would like to teach and coach ... The son of Dave Barnard, James Lockhart Barnard was born on April 15, 1987, in Kansas City, Mo.

Shea Brewster
Place-Kicker • 6-0 • 160 • College Station, Texas (A&M Consolidated)

Rated the nation's 11th-best kicker by Rivals.com, Shea Brewster earned third-team 2006 Class 5A All-State honors from the Texas Sports Writers Association after connecting on 31-of-31 PATs and 10-of-14 field goals in final prep season ... 3-star rank from Rivals.com ... Four of his 10 field goals were 40 yards or longer ... Also named to the 2006 Bryan-College Station Eagle All-Brazos Valley team ... Offered a scholarship by the Bears' staff after an impressive showing in a Baylor summer camp session ... Wasn't expected to be the Tigers' kicker in 2006, but when Consol's Matt Szymanski elected to graduate early and enroll at Texas A&M for the 2006 season, Brewster took over the kicking chores ... Had a pair of game-winning field goals ... Kicked a 37-yard field goal in the second overtime to lift the Tigers to a 24-21 victory over Bryan in the Crosstown Showdown ... Nailed a 47-yard field goal with 59 seconds left to lift Consol to a 17-14 Week 1 victory over Leander ... Made a pair of 47-yard field goals in final prep season ... Averaged 37.0 yards on 31 punts as a senior ... Finished as the runner-up in the kickoff competition at the 2005 Lone Star Challenge ... As a junior, he attempted just one extra point and had a few kickoffs, but no field goal attempts ... Also considered Kansas, Oklahoma State and SMU ... Helped Consolidated to a 8-2 record and the 2006 District 13-5A title ... Qualified for the 2006 regional wrestling tournament as a member of Consol's wrestling team, competing in the 152-pound division ... The son of Joseph and Toby Brewster, Shea Wahle Brewster was born June 4, 1988, in College Station, Texas ... He's the youngest of six children and has his sights set on becoming a radiologist ... Participated in community service event Extreme Makeover ... Enjoys fixing up muscle cars in spare time ... "If there was ever a kid that deserved for things to fall the way they did, Shea is one of them," Consol coach Jim Slaughter said. "He's always worked hard, but he's always been kind of second-fiddle. It was a great opportunity for Shea, and he's done a tremendous job with that opportunity."

Krys Buerck
WR • 6-1 • 175 • Mesquite, Texas (Mesquite)

Wide receiver Krys Buerck (pronounced Burke) is rated 49th on the Dallas Morning News' Area Top 100 list ... As a senior at Mesquite High School, he caught 48 passes for 970 yards and 12 touchdowns to earn District 12-5A co-offensive MVP honors ... Garnered 2006 honorable mention Class 5A All-State honors from both Associated Press and the Texas Sports Writers Association ... His 970 receiving yards ranked eighth among all 2006 Class 5A Metroplex performers, while his 12 touchdown catches equaled the area's fifth-highest total ... Helped team to a 7-5 record and the second round of the playoffs as a senior ... Caught 41 passes for 606 yards and four touchdowns as a junior for coach Steve Halpin's team which advanced to the Class 5A Division I bi-district playoffs ... One of his receptions as a junior was an 18-yard touchdown catch with 0.7 seconds left to give the Skeeters a 14-13 playoff-clinching win over Rockwall ... Also ran on Mesquite's 4 x 100- and 4 x 400-meter relay teams as a junior ... Drew recruiting interest from Tulsa, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State and Rice ... The son of Brent Buerck and Debra Buerck, Krystopher Thomas Buerck was born on Jan. 11, 1989 ... "He's got a burst that most receivers don't have," Halpin said. "But it's more than just catching the ball and more than just being fast. He understands the receiver position, and he'll go across the middle to make the tough catches. And he's going to get open at any level."

Elliot Coffey
S • 6-0 • 195 • Sugar Land, Texas (Ft. Bend Clements)

A talented two-way standout at Ft. Bend Clements High School, Elliot Coffey will play safety for the Bears ... The son of former Washington Redskins (1983-86) safety Ken Coffey, the younger Coffey was a two-time All-District 23-5A performer ... District 23-5A utility MVP ... Houston Chronicle Area Top 100 selection ... 2006 Dave Campbell Texas Football Texas Top 300 member was a second-team preseason Super Team pick and tabbed one of the state's top 20 defensive backs ... Earned 2006 second-team All-Greater Houston honors from both the Houston Chronicle and TexasPrepXta.com after registering 59 tackles (37 solo) and three interceptions ... Also caught 17 passes for 350 yards and five touchdowns while rushing 87 times for 500 yards and five touchdowns ... Helped coach Jeff Hulme's 2006 Ranger squad to an 8-3 record and a district co-championship ... Credited with 47 tackles and three interceptions as a junior when Clements finished 7-4 and advanced to the finals of the Division II bi-district playoffs ... An academic all-district selection, Coffey also participated in PALS and FCA ... Enjoys reading, writing and drawing ... Would like to own a Fortune 500 business ... Selected Baylor over TCU, Houston, Tulane, UTEP and Central Florida ... Coached by Jeff Hulme at the District 23-5A school ... Born Dec. 3, 1989, Elliot James Coffey is the son of Ken and Brenda Coffey.

Ryan Douglass
DE • 6-3 • 225 • Leander, Texas (Leander)

Defensive end Ryan Douglass is ranked 96th on the Dallas Morning News' State Top 100 compiled by Rivals.com ... Also rated nation's 38th-best defensive end by Rivals.com ... 3-star Rivals.com ... Fort Worth Star-Telegram State 100 member ... Waco Tribune-Herald Top 100 recruit ... Austin American Statesman first-team All-Centex ... Received honorable mention 2006 Class 5A All-State honors from both Associated Press and the Texas Sports Writers Association ... The 2006 Dave Campbell Texas Football Texas Top 300 pick was a second-team preseason Super Team selection and tabbed one of the state's top 20 defensive linemen ... Helped Lions to a 10-3 record and the District 13-5A title as a senior ... 2006 District 14-5A and Hill Country News lineman of the year ... As a senior, he totaled 70 tackles (29 solos) with 13 for loss, six quarterback sacks, three pass breakups, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries ... As a junior, he was credited with a team-high 4.5 sacks and 12 stops behind the line to earn All-District and All-Central Texas honors for a 10-2 Lions team which reached the Class 5A playoffs ... Started prep career at Luling (Texas) High School before transferring to Leander prior to start of junior season ... Selected Baylor over Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, Colorado State and Missouri ... The son of Dana Swann, Ryan E. Douglass was born Sept. 2, 1988, in San Marcos, Texas ... Relative of 2007 Oklahoma football signee Desmond Jackson, a defensive back from Seguin, Texas ... "I just haven't found many people to block him one-on-one," said Leander coach Steve Gideon. "We've got a tackle that's another Division I prospect, and has trouble with him every day in practice. He runs really well for a big ol'tall kid."

Derek Epperson
P • 6-3 • 215 • Southlake, Texas (Keller)

Rated 82nd on the Dallas Morning News Area Top 100 list, punter Derek Epperson averaged 43 yards per punt as a senior at Keller High School en route to first-team District 5-5A honors for coach Kevin Atkinson's Indians ... Had eight punts inside the 20 as a senior ... 5A Academic All-State Elite selection ... Also a member of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Area 50 list ... Placed third in the kickoff competition at the 2006 Randy Rogers' Lone Star Kicking Challenge ... As a junior, he averaged 42 yards per punt with a hang time of 4.3 and 4.5 seconds ... Also handled kickoff chores for the Indians ... Selected Baylor over Northwestern and Rice ... National Honor Society member is ranked 15th in 650-person senior class ... Listed in Who's Who Among America's High School Students ... Would like to become an orthopedic doctor after punting in the NFL ... The son of Jeff and Laura Epperson, Derek Andrew Epperson was born April 28, 1989, in Houston.

Chris Francis
LB • 5-11 • 216 • Cedar Hill, Texas (Cedar Hill)

One of three sons of former Baylor football All-Americans to follow in their father's footsteps to Waco, linebacker Chris Francis committed to Baylor prior to the start of his senior year at Cedar Hill High School ... The son of former Baylor All-American and 1989 consensus All-SWC linebacker James Francis, Chris is ranked as the nation's 62nd-best outside linebacker by Rivals.com ... 3-star rating by Rivals.com ... Rated 50th on the Dallas Morning News' Area Top 100 list and 80th on the San Antonio Express-News Texas Top 100, Francis joins Cedar Hill teammates Romie Blaylock and John Jones in the Bears' 2007 recruiting class ... Waco Tribune-Herald Top 100 recruit ... A 2006 Dave Campbell Texas Football Texas Top 300 pick, Francis was selected one of the state's top 20 linebackers by the publication ... 2006 Texas Sports Writers Association Class 5A Defensive Player of the Year ... First-team Class 5A All-State selection by Texas Sports Writers Association, District 8-5A co-defensive MVP and first-team Dallas Morning News All-Area selection ... Totaled 212 tackles, nine tackles for loss, five sacks, three forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries and one interception for the Class 5A Division II champion and 16-0 Longhorns ... His biggest tackle of the season came against Garland in the state semifinals, when on fourth-and-1, he and teammate Cameron Thompson stopped running back Dwight Hamilton for no gain with eight seconds left to play to preserve the Longhorns' 31-24 victory ... Defensive MVP of Cedar Hill's 51-17 5A Division II state championship game victory over Cypress Falls ... Credited with 136 tackles as a junior en route to first-team District 7-5A honors ... As an 8-year-old, he did a backflip to celebrate a friend's touchdown and received a 15-yard penalty ... The son of James Francis and Rosalyn Johnson, Chris Michael Francis was born Nov. 25, 1988, in Waco, Texas ... Father, James, was a first-round draft choice of the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals in the 1990 NFL Draft and played with the Bengals from 1990 through 1998 before ending career with the Washington Redskins in 1999 ... James Francis is the fifth-leading tackler in Baylor football history with 334 stops and he blocked a single-season school- and NCAA-record eight kicks as a senior in 1989 ... Chris' uncle, cornerback Ron Francis, also played at Baylor and was drafted in the second round of the 1987 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys, where he played from 1987 through 1990 ... Active in FCA ... Also considered Colorado, UConn, Houston, Missouri, Rice, TCU, Tulane, UNLV and UTEP ... Enjoys playing video games and working out ... "In this era of players looking to blame the other guy when something goes wrong, Chris is a pleasure," said McGuire. "He never blames anybody else. If he is doing something wrong, he works to correct it. Chris doesn't like for a coach to be disappointed in him. After he's been talked to, the next person that has the football is fixing to pay."

Leon Freeman
DE • 6-2 • 235 • Vero Beach, Fla. (Vero Beach H.S./Mesa C.C.)

One of three junior college transfers to join the Baylor program at mid-year, Leon Freeman played linebacker as a sophomore at Mesa (Ariz.) Community College, but he was recruited to play defensive end for the Bears ... 3-star Rivals.com recruit ... Rated 75th on Rivals.com's Junior College Top 100 list and is listed as the nation's No. 8 inside linebacker by JCGridiron.com ... Second-team All-Western States Football League and first-team All-Region I selection ... NJCAA Preseason All-American ... Totaled 49 tackles, including 13 stops behind the line and three pass breakups in his final season at Mesa ... As a freshman, he totaled 34 tackles and six sacks ... Enlisted in the U.S. Army after graduating from high school and spent nearly six months in Iraq with Bravo Company 141 ... Received an honorable discharge as a Specialist after spending three years in the U.S. Army ... Also considered Cal, Iowa State, Kansas State, Utah, UTEP and Washington State ... As a senior outside linebacker at Vero Beach High, he led the team with 100 tackles ... The son of Leon Freeman and Gloria Freeman, Leon Freeman Jr. was born Oct. 31, 1982, in Vero Beach, Fla.

Courtney Green
OG • 6-4 • 285 • Corsicana, Texas (Corsicana)

Ranked No. 22 on the Dallas Morning News' Area Top 100 list, offensive guard Courtney Green is also rated No. 69 on the Dallas Morning News' State Top 100 list compiled by Rivals.com and No. 59 on the San Antonio Express-News Texas Top 100 list ... Rivals.com ranks Green as the nation's 33rd-best offensive guard prospect and he's one of three 3-star Rivals.com offensive linemen in Baylor's 2007 recruiting class, joining John Jones and Anthony Morgan ... Fort Worth Star-Telegram State 100, Houston Chronicle Top 100 and Waco Tribune-Herald Top 100 selection ... 2006 second-team Class 4A All-State selection by both the Associated Press and the Texas Sports Writers Association ... TexasPrepXtra.com first-team Class 4A All-DFW area honoree ... 2006 Texas Football Top 300 pick ... He's the third Tiger to join the Baylor program in two years, following 2006 running back signee Jay Finley and 2007 signee Ray Sims ... Church musician ... Also considered LSU and Oklahoma State ... Son of Aaron and Bobbie Green, Courtney C. Green was born Dec. 1, 1988, in Corsicana, Texas.

Hunter Hightower
OT • 6-5 • 255 • Richardson, Texas (J.J. Pearce)

Rated 69th on the Dallas Morning News' Area Top 100 list, offensive tackle Hunter Hightower was the third commitment in Baylor's 2007 recruiting class ... Earned honorable mention Class 4A All-State honors from both the Associated Press and the Texas Sports Writers Association ... TexasPrepXta.com first-team Class 4A All-DFW area selection ... Garnered first-team District 10-4A honors as a senior ... Started for the Mustangs as a junior when they went 7-3 in Class 5A ... Selected Baylor over Oklahoma State, SMU, Rice and Tulane ... His mother, Marilyn Hightower, is a Baylor graduate who taught for 13 years in the Baylor School of Nursing in Dallas ... The son of Mark and Marilyn Hightower, Hunter A. Hightower was born Oct. 20, 1988.

Antonio Johnson
DE • 6-1 • 215 • Waco, Texas (Waco)

The 2006 Waco Tribune-Herald Super Centex defensive player of the year, Antonio Johnson helped the Waco High Lions to a 13-3 record and a runner-up finish in the Class 4A Division II playoffs as a senior defensive end, but he's expected to play linebacker or outside safety at Baylor ... First-team Waco Tribune-Herald Super Centex selection ... Waco Tribune-Herald Top 100 recruit is also rated No. 4 on the publication's Central Texas Top 25 ... Also named to the first-ever sending All-Texas team compiled by Texas Football magazine's Jake Shaw ... Honorable mention Class 4A All-State honoree from the Texas Sports Writers Association was also the District 16-4A defensive MVP ... Class 4A Team Texas first-team pick by Texashsfootball.com also shared that web site's Most Outstanding Defensive End with Wolfforth High's Aaron Wampler ... Credited with 72 tackles (36 solos), 16.5 sacks for losses totaling 137 yards, 25 tackles for loss, four pass breakups and a fumble recovery for a touchdown in final prep season ... In Waco High's first 2006 meeting with Brownwood, Johnson totaled 10 tackles, six sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery for a touchdown ... The son of David and Pamela Johnson, Antonio M. Johnson was born June 26, 1988, in Waco, Texas ... He's the fourth Lion to sign with the Bears since Guy Morriss' arrival at Baylor ... Selected Baylor over Kansas State ... "The thing that stands out about him is how sudden he is," said Lions' coach Johnny Tusa. "He's got as quick a first step as anybody I've ever seen. We haven't had anyone that dominant in quite some time coming off the edge. When he wasn't there, he was herding them to somebody else. He did an incredible job."

John Jones
OL • 6-5 • 305 • Cedar Hill, Texas (Cedar Hill)

Ranked 32nd on the Dallas Morning News' Area Top 100 list, No. 74 on the Lone Star Recruiting Texas Top 100, No. 82 on the San Antonio Express-News Texas Top 100 and No. 89 on the Morning News' State 100 produced by Rivals.com, John Jones is one of three starters off Cedar Hill's 2006 Class 5A Division II state championship team to sing with Baylor ... Rated the nation's 56th-best offensive guard prospect by Rivals.com, Lone Star Recruiting rates him as the state's seventh-best offensive guard/center ... 3-star rank from both Rivals.com ... Houston Chronicle and Waco Tribune-Herald Top 100 selection ... A 2006 Dave Campbell Texas Football Texas Top 300 pick, Jones was also selected as one of the state's top 25 offensive linemen by the publication ... Earned second-team 2006 Class 5A All-State honors from the Texas Sports Writers Association and was a first-team Dallas Morning News All-Area honoree ... PrepStar All-Region team member ... Recorded 40 pancake blocks and allowed just one sack in the Longhorns' 16-0 2006 campaign ... Had 15 scholarship offers from which to choose from, but cast his lot with Baylor prior to senior season ... Two-year starter along the o-line for coach Joey McGuire ... Helped pave the way for Cedar Hill to lead 5A Metroplex school's in rushing and produce the 5A rushing leader in quarterback William Cole ... Did not play football at the youth or middle school level, instead focused on basketball ... As a freshman he was last string on the B team to start the year, but by the season's fourth game he had been promoted to the A team and a year later made the junior varsity squad ... As a junior, he totaled 60 pancake blocks and yielded one sack as a starter for the District 8-5A champions ... The son of John and Octavia Jones, John DeMarcus Jones was born on Jan. 17, 1988, in Dallas ... Wants to be a head coach after college ... Enjoys watching TV, playing video games and surfing the Net ... "Off the field, he's like a big, old teddy bear," McGuire said. "But it is different during games. I enjoy pushing his buttons. We must have run over 80 percent of our plays over John in the DeSoto playoff game. We told him before the game we were going behind him."

Rex McDougald
DT • 6-3 • 290 • Iola, Texas (Iola)

A member of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's State 100 list, defensive tackle Rex McDougald was the first commitment in Baylor's 2007 recruiting class ... First Division I-A recruit produced by Iola High School since 1960 ... He graduated early from Iola High School and enrolled at Baylor in January 2007 ... 3-star Rivals.com recruit ... Houston Chronicle and Waco Tribune-Herald Top 100 member ... Earned first-team 2006 Class 1A All-State honors from the Texas Sports Writers Association ...Named to the 2006 Dave Campell Texas Football Texas Top 300, he was the only Class IA player listed among the state's top 20 defensive linemen ... Iola's all-time leading tackler with 540 stops was a two-time Bryan Eagle All-Brazos Valley team member who played for his uncle, Randy McDougald ... As a senior, he rushed 165 times for 1,093 yards and 17 touchdowns while recording 100 tackles ... Also rushed for 4,004 yards in four-year prep career ... Helped team to semifinals of Class 1A playoffs each of the past two seasons ... An outstanding all-around athlete, McDougald earned 2005 first-team Class 1A All-State honors from the Texas Sports Writers Association, was the district's offensive player of the year in basketball and threw the shot put 58 feet ... As a middle linebacker for the 12-2 Bulldogs, he registered 201 tackles, 21 stops behind the line, four sacks and two interceptions ... He also played fullback, where he rushed for 1,501 yards and 21 touchdowns ... In basketball, he averaged 19 points and 14 rebounds, while he was a state meet qualifier in both the shot put and discus ... He placed fourth in the Class IA shot put and sixth in the discus as a sophomore and second and eighth, respectively, as a junior ... The son of Roddy and Robbin McDougald, Rex McDougald was born Sept. 11, 1988 ... His father, Roddy, was Iola's defensive coordinator ...Also considered Boston College, Oklahoma State, SMU, Texas A&M and Texas Tech ... "He's an athlete with a big body," said Randy McDougald. "Everybody's been talking to him about offensive line, but he's excited to at least get a shot at playing d-line. Everybody wants a shot at tackling a few people."

V.J. McElroy
ATH • 5-11 • 180 • Uvalde, Texas (Uvalde)

The son of former Baylor All-American free safety Vann McElroy, V.J. McElroy earned second-team Class 4A All-State honors as a senior at Uvalde High School from the Texas Sports Writers Association as a return specialist ... Ranked No. 8 on the San Antonio Express News' Area Top 25 list ... San Antonio Express-News first-team All-Area selection ... Named to 2006 Texas Football Texas Top 300 ... Totaled 3,070 rushing yards and 2,763 passing yards in three-year prep career ... 2006 District 29-4A MVP rushed for 1,404 yards and passed for 1,210 yards with 35 touchdowns as a senior for coach Juan Hinajosa ... As a junior, he rushed for 1,056 yards and passed for 1,253 yards and 19 touchdowns ... Also a track and baseball standout for the Coyotes ... All-Region qualifier in track in the 100 (10.75) and 200 (22.8) meters ... First-team All-District shortstop as a junior after hitting .328 and stealing 17 bases in 17 attempts ... Four-year honor society member ... FCA and student council participant ... Enjoys hunting and fishing ... Father, Vann, still owns the Baylor career record for interceptions and went on to play for the NFL's Oakland Raiders (1982-90) and Seattle Seahawks (1990) while making a pair of Pro Bowl appearances as a Raider ... Also considered SMU ... The son of Vann and Gale McElroy, both of whom are Baylor graduates, William Vann McElroy was born Dec. 10, 1987, in Santa Monica, Calif.

Michael Machen
QB • 6-6 • 235 • Mobile, Ala. (McGill-Toolen H.S./Coffeyville C.C./Kent State)

A former minor league baseball pitcher, Michael Machen took advantage of an NCAA rule which allows student-athletes to graduate early and transfer without penalty, which he did by graduating from Kent State in December 2006 and transferring to Baylor ... He will have one season of eligibility at Baylor and is expected to contend for the Bears' starting job ... As a junior, he appeared in four games for the Golden Flashes and drew one start (at Virginia Tech) .... Completed 9-of-23 passes with one interception and no touchdowns ... As a sophomore, he became just the fourth different Kent State quarterback to throw for more than 2,000 yards in a season ... Played in and started 10 games in 2005 at Kent State, completing 200-of-365 passes for 2,078 yards and 11 touchdowns in first year in new system ... Connected on 54.8 percent of passes and had a 102.70 quarterback rating ... Posted just the sixth 2,000-yard passing season in Kent State history ...His 200 completions were the second-most all-time in a single-season in school history and his 365 attempts tied the school record ... Totaled two 300-yard passing games, doing so first against Miami Sept. 17, with 338 yards on 31-of-56 ... Also had 336 yards, completing 25-of-45 at Western Michigan Oct. 22 ... Also punted four times for an average of 41.8 yards per punt, twice pinning the opponent inside the 20-yard line ... Attended Coffeyville Community College in Coffeyville, Kan., in 2004 ... Led Ravens to 10-2 record and a victory in the Valley Sun Bowl ... Threw for over 2,000 yards and 22 touchdowns and was a second-team All-Jayhawk Conference pick and was named a JC Grid-Wire All-Academic performer ... Attended the University of Alabama in 2003 but did not see game action ... Drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 14th round of the 2000 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft ... Spent two years in the Braves organization and one with the Baltimore Orioles before returning to football ... Led McGill-Toolen High School to the second round of the Alabama state playoffs and was named honorable mention all-state after throwing for over 3,000 yards and 25 touchdowns as a senior ... Lettered twice in football, three times in basketball and four times in baseball ... Was coached by Chris Nemith ... Born Oct. 5, 1981, Michael Machen is the son of Christopher and Jo Machen.

Anthony Morgan
OG • 6-4 • 315 • Lancaster, Texas (Lancaster)

Rated No. 35 on the Dallas Morning News' Area Top 100 list, offensive lineman Anthony Morgan is projected as a guard along the Bears' offensive line ... 3-star Rivals.com recruit is rated as the nation's 58th-best offensive guard by the same service ... Ranked No. 77 on the San Antonio Express-News Texas Top 100 ... He's also ranked No. 80 on the Lone Star Recruiting Texas Top 100 list and is rated the state's eighth-best offensive guard/center by the same recruiting service ... Fort Worth Star-Telegram State 100, Houston Chronicle and Waco Tribune-Herald Top 100 member ... Second-team Associated Press Class 4A All-State selection was an honorable mention pick by the Texas Sports Writers Association ... TexasPrepXta.com first-team 4A All-DFW selection ... Member of Texas Football's 2006 Texas Top 300 and was tabbed one of the state's 25-best offensive linemen ... Selected Baylor over offers from Florida, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, Kansas State and Mississippi ... Helped coach Andrew Jackson's team to a 7-3 record in 2006 ... The son of Michael Morgan and Diana Kennedy, Anthony E. Morgan was born Nov. 9, 1988 ... Would like to own his own business ... Enjoys playing basketball ... High school teammate of 2006 Baylor signee Chris Mitchell ... Nicknamed the Big Ant.

Eddy Newton
WR • 6-2 • 210 • Santa Monica, Calif. (Venice H.S./West Los Angles College)

One of five junior college transfers in Baylor's 2007 recruiting class, wide receiver Eddy Newton will join the Bears next summer ... In seven 2006 games at West Los Angles College, Newton caught 36 passes for 779 yards and seven touchdowns en route to first-team All-Western States Conference honors ... Averaged 21.6 yards per catch and 111.3 receiving yards per game for Oilers' coach Craig Austin ... Played much of the 2006 season with a broken right hand ... Began collegiate career as a safety at Santa Monica College in 2005 ... Attended Venice High School where he registered 68 tackles, four interceptions, five pass breakups and a forced fumble as a senior safety in 2004 while earning first-team Western League all-conference honors for coach Angelo Gasca's league champion Gondos ... Placed second in the Junior Goodwill Games 50-meter freestyle for the junior age group ... The son of Francine Newton, Edward Ross Newton was born Oct. 2, 1987, in Santa Monica, Calif. ... Enjoys surfing, fishing and camping ... "Eddy was virtually under the radar because he played free safety in high school and went to a junior college combine and did nothing but free safety work," said Austin. "He's really a hidden talent, and sometimes that will steer people away. They prefer to have a known commodity. But his film and stats speak for themselves."

Cliff Odom
CB • 5-11 • 180 • Arlington, Texas (Martin)

A member of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Area 50 list, Cliff Odom played both running back and corner back at Arlington's James Martin High School, but he's slated to play in the defensive backfield for the Bears ... As a senior, he earned unanimous first-team All-District 8-5A honors at cornerback ... Credited with 21 tackles, eight pass breakups, two interceptions and a forced fumble as a senior team captain ... As a running back for the Warriors, he rushed five times for 68 yards and one touchdown ... Also averaged 24.3 yards on 15 kickoff returns with one touchdown in final prep season ... Son of former Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins linebacker Cliff Odom ... Father spent 13 years in the NFL ... 2006 district 200-meter dash champion was a two-year track team captain ... Selected Baylor over offers from TCU, Kansas, Wyoming and Iowa ... Junior Class President (2005-06) has been on Martin's student council every year ... The son of Cliff and Cynthia Odom, Clifton Lewis Odom Jr., was born in Oct. 2, 1988, in Indianapolis ... "He's the type of player that says, `Coach, what can I do to help the team?' '' said Bob Wager, who took the Warriors to the playoffs for the first time in seven years in 2006. "He's a coach's dream. Obviously he's got terrific athletic ability. But he's a team captain and class president. He's everything you want."

Earl Patin
LB • 6-2 • 230 • Baton Rouge, La. (Southern University Lab)

The lone Rivals.com 4-star pledge in Baylor's 2007 recruiting class and a member of the Rival's 250 list, linebacker Earl Patin is rated the nation's No. 6 inside linebacker by the same service ... He's also ranked No. 13 on Rivals.com's Louisiana Top 40 list, No. 20 on PelicanPreps.com pre-spring Top 50 and No. 33 on TigerBait.com's final Top 35 ... Garnered first-team 1A All-State honors from the Louisiana Sports Writers Association and the Louisiana Football Coaches Association ... Totaled 144 tackles and five sacks as a senior for coach Michael Roach's 10-4 Southern Lab team which lost in the state semifinals ... Selected Baylor over Nebraska, Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Mississippi and West Virginia ... Played in the 2007 MSL East Meets West All-American Game at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla. ... As a junior, he had 80 tackles, including eight for loss and five sacks ... The son of Marlon Patin and Yvette Henderson, Hugh Earl Patin was born April 7, 1989.

Larry Rosebud
CB • 5-10 • 170 • Mesquite, Texas (North Mesquite)

Rated 37th on the Dallas Morning News' Area Top 100 list, cornerback Larry Rosebud was also named to the Waco Tribune-Herald and Houston Chronicle Texas Top 100 lists following his senior season at North Mesquite High School ... Ranked as nation's 52nd cornerback by Rivals.com ... No. 60 on Long Star Recruiting Texas Top 100 list and is rated as state's fifth-best cornerback by the same service ... First-team All-District 12-5A selection ... 13 career interceptions ... Honorable mention Class 5A All-State pick by Associated Press ... Second-team All-District 12-5A pick as a junior when he totaled 58 tackles and four interceptions ... Also had an 80-yard punt return against Grand Prairie in 2005 ...Selected Baylor over offers from Arkansas, Florida, Kansas, Kansas State and Purdue ... Stepbrother, Dallas Lincoln linebacker Richetti Jones, is committed to Oklahoma State ... The son of Larry Rosebud and Sharron Foster, Larry Benard Rosebud Jr. was born on Dec. 22, 1988.

Zac Scotton
DL • 6-6 • 245 • Houston, Texas (Cypress Creek)

A Houston Chronicle Area Top 60 selection, Zac Scotton was a second-team All-District 17-5A defensive tackle as a senior at Cypress Creek High School ... Totaled 55 tackles, 33 of which were solo stops, and five sacks ... Also had 11 tackles for loss, a punt block and one touchdown ... Two-year starter along the defensive line ... Began his prep career at quarterback before switching to defense ... Texas Football 2006 Texas Top 300 member ... Selected Baylor over Houston, SMU and UTEP ... The son of Chip and Brandye Scotton, William Zachary Scotton was born May 25, 1989.

Ray Sims
S • 6-0 • 210 • Corsicana, Texas (Corsicana H.S./Navarro College)

Junior college transfer safety Ray Sims will join the Baylor program next summer after spending the past two years at Navarro (Texas) College ... Played outside linebacker for the Bulldogs in 2006 but is expected to contend for a starting spot at outside safety for the 2007 Bears ... Credited with 72 tackles, 1.5 sacks and an interception as a sophomore at Navarro ... Earned honorable mention all-conference honors ... Played free safety in his first season at Navarro ... As a senior at Corsicana High School, he totaled 154 tackles and five interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns, en route to first-team All-District honors ... Also spent part of his senior season at running back for the Tigers, where he rushed for 265 yards and four touchdowns for an 11-2 Corsicana squad ... Will be reunited with former Corsicana teammates Courtney Green and Jay Finley, as well as former Coca-Cola All-Star Game teammates Antonio Jones and Jameon Hardeman ... Drew interest from Iowa State, TCU and Hawaii before signing with Baylor ... the son of Ray and Barbara Sims Sr., Ray A. Sims was born July 20, 1986.

Matt Singletary
DE • 6-4 • 215 • San Jose, Calif. (Valley Christian)

The son of arguably Baylor's greatest football player ever, College and Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Mike Singletary, defensive end Matt Singletary will join the Baylor program in the fall from San Jose (Calif.) Valley Christian High School ... Credited with 64 tackles, four sacks and two fumble recoveries as a senior defensive end ... Played along the offensive line for coach Eric Scharrenberg's 12-1 2005 squad ... Also considered Michigan, Oregon, UCLA and Utah ... Father currently serves as the assistant head coach/linebackers coach for the San Francisco 49ers ... Mike Singletary was a three-time All-American and two-time Davey O'Brien winner at Baylor who totaled a school-record 662 career tackles from 1977 through 1980 before embarking on a 12-year NFL career with the Chicago Bears ... The older Singletary was a two-time NFC Defensive Player of the Year who was an eight-time All-Pro and nine-time All-NFC selection ... The son of Mike and Kim Singletary, Matthew M. Singletary was born Feb. 22, 1988 ... Matt's sister Kristen is in the midst of her sophomore year at Baylor ... "He's got the frame that we like to play defensive end," said Scharrenberg. "He was kind of slow adjusting to the position at first, but he really came on at the end of the year. He's just now starting to scratch the surface of his potential. I could see him being a down defensive end in a 4-3 or 4-2-5 defense."

Chris Tuck
WR • 6-5 • 197 • Mineola, Texas (Mineola)

As a senior at Mineola High School, wide receiver Chris Tuck earned Tyler Courier-Times-Telegraph second-team All-East Texas and first-team District 15-3A honors ... Selected Baylor over Arizona, Houston, Kansas and TCU ... Earned first-team District 15-3A honors as a junior after catching 27 passes for 357 yards and six touchdowns ... Started prep career at Dallas Baptist ... The son of Lonnie Tuck, Christopher Eugene Tuck was born April 25, 1988.

Barry Valcin
DB • 5-11 • 177 • Port Arthur, Texas (Memorial)

A talented two-way (wide receiver and cornerback) player at Port Arthur Memorial High School, Barry Valcin will play cornerback at Baylor ... Honorable mention 2006 Associated Press Class 5A All-State selection who earned first-team District 21-5A honors as a defensive back and second-team recognition as a wide receiver in final prep campaign ... As a senior wide receiver he had 26 receptions for 583 yards and nine touchdowns, while he totaled three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, four pass breakups, four interceptions, three tackles for loss and 96 total tackles (50 solos) ... Also averaged 31.0 yards on 19 kickoff returns with a long of 84 ... One of eight finalists for the 2006 Willie Ray Smith Award, he was also the 2006 Golden Triangle defensive player of the year ... Texas Football Top 300 selection, Valcin was selected one of the state's top 20 defensive backs in the preseason publication ... Selected Baylor over LSU and Texas A&M ... The son of Barry and Debra Valcin Sr., Barry Charles Valcin Jr. was born Jan. 5, 1989.

John Weed
QB • 6-4 • 225 • Houston, Texas (Cypress Creek H.S./Tyler J.C.)

Mid-year transfer from Tyler (Texas) Junior College, John Weed has two years of eligibility remaining and will be in the battle for the Bears' starting quarterback job in 2007 ... Ranked No. 6 among the nation's junior college signal callers by JCGridiron.com ... 3-star recruit by Rivals.com ... 2006 Southwest Junior College Football Conference offensive player of the year earned honorable mention All-America honors ... Was 130-of-241 in the air for 2,104 yards and 19 touchdowns as a sophomore for coach Jamie Critchlow's Apaches ... Led the SJCFC in pass attempts, completions, yards and touchdowns ... Region 14 NJCAA player of the year nominee ... The Tyler offense ranked second in the conference at 356.7 yards per game ... Redshirted in 2004 at Tyler, then started the final two games of the 2005 campaign and threw for 579 yards and four touchdowns ... As a senior at Cypress Creek High School in 2003, Weed threw for 1,400 yards and rushed for 500 en route to first-team All-District honors ... Enjoys music, hunting, fishing and cars ... Favorite NFL team is the Indianapolis Colts and his favorite professional athlete is Colts' QB Peyton Manning ... Drew interest from Houston, SMU, TCU and UTEP ... The son of David and Katherine Weed, John David Weed was born Sept. 18, 1985 in Houston.

Stacy Williams
WR • 6-0 • 180 • Houston, Texas (Yates)

Listed on the Houston Chronicle's Top 100 Area list, wide receiver Stacy Williams was named the 2006 District 20-4A offensive MVP as a senior at Yates High School ... Played quarterback, running back and wide receiver for coach Clarence McKinney's 2006 Lions, leading team to a 10-3 record overall and a 5-1 district mark ...Rushed 110 times for 873 yards, an average of 7.9 yards per attempt, with eight touchdowns as a senior ... Completed 9-of-42 passes with three interceptions for 100 yards and two touchdowns ... Caught four passes for 168 yards and one touchdown ... Texas Football Top 300 selection ... 31 receptions for 611 yards and six touchdowns as a junior ... All-told, he scored 10 touchdowns as a junior ... Also considered Arizona State, Oklahoma State, UTEP and Louisiana-Lafayette ... The son of Alecia Boone, Stacy Jerome Williams was born Nov. 2, 1988 ... "He's probably our best athlete," said coach Clarence McKinney of Williams. "We wanted to get the ball in the hands of our best athletes and Stacy was our best athlete. We just wanted to put him in position to where he could make plays and have more opportunities to make a lot of plays."