Nov. 19

Troy Baker, OT

Waco, TX

Talented offensive lineman Troy Baker to enroll early at Baylor

Three-star offensive lineman Troy Baker, who will graduate early from Connally (Waco, Texas) in December, has signed a financial aid contract and will enroll in Baylor for the spring 2010 semester and go through spring drills with the Bears, Baylor head coach Art Briles announced.

The 6-7, 300-pound Baker originally pledged to Texas Tech. Among his offers were Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, Wake Forest and Iowa State.

"We're extremely excited and proud that Troy is going to be part of the Baylor family," Briles said. "Not only for his athletic skills, which are tremendous, but more importantly for the type of person he is. He's an exceptional student, and the type of guy who is a great teammate."

A National Honor Society member, Baker ranks fourth in his class at Connally.

"Troy has a lot of passion for a player at a high level," Briles added. "He is certainly going to contribute to this program continuing to improve. It's also a great bonus to add a local player; it's good for Waco and it's good for his family and the people who respect Troy."

Nov. 12

Chase Harper, TE

Corsicana, TX

Huskers pick up coveted JUCO tight end Chase Harper

6-foot-5, 245-pound tight end Chase Harper of Connally (Pflugerville, Texas)/Navarro CC, Texas, has accepted a Class of 2010 offer from Nebraska.

Iowa State, Baylor, Kansas State and Miami-Florida had also offered Harper.

He originally signed with the Cyclones as a prep with the Class of 2008, but did not qualify.

The Huskers now have 16 commitments.

Oct. 22

Herschel Sims, RB

Abilene, TX

Longhorns, Sooners could square off for junior Herschel Sims

Class of 2011 ESPNU 150 Watch List running back Herschel Sims (Abilene, Texas) spoke with ESPN affiliate Web site InsideTexas.com about the early stages of his recruitment.

Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and Baylor have extended scholarship offers but two schools already stand out for Sims.

"(Texas and Oklahoma) are pretty high. I love OU because they have put out the best running back in the NFL in Adrian Peterson so that shows that they know what to do with their running backs."

"Texas has also had some great running backs with Ricky Williams and Jamaal Charles even though they were different backs. Coach (Major) Applewhite played with Ricky Williams and knows a lot about running backs and how to coach them."

"Those are two great teams," he added. :It's not just about football either ? it's everything that both of those schools have to offer."

Sims has rushed for 731 yards (8.8 average) and 11 touchdowns and caught eight passes for 183 yards (22.9 average) and two more scores this fall.

Oct. 13

P.L. Lindley, OLB

Round Rock, TX

Top junior Texas linebacker P.L. Lindley has early top three

Class of 2011 ESPNU 150 linebacker P.L. Lindley (Round Rock, Texas/Stony Point) currently maintains a top three of Texas, Baylor and SMU, ESPN affiliate Web site InsideTexas.com reports.

Lindley's only written scholarship offer is from the Mustangs.

Oct. 8

Carlos Thompson, DE

Hollandale, MS

Three at the top for Carlos Thompson

Defensive end Carlos Thompson (Hollandale, Miss./Simmons) maintains a solid top three, ESPN affiliate Web site BullDawgJunction.com reports.

"With me, it is still Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Baylor in my top three with no clear favorite," Thompson said. "I am still thinking about waiting until the end of the season to make my decision."