Baylor Football Claims Two and Aims to Improve 2012 Defense

Baylor football and head coach Art Briles announced today that the Bears have received letters of intent from two junior college players according to Baylor's athletics website. Eddie Lackey, a linebacker from Riverside Community College, and Joey Searcy, a defensive tackle from Navarro Community College, will be joining the Bears after Baylor participates in the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio.

They are expected to start practicing with the squad for 2012 spring team drills.

Both Lackey and Searcy look to be a good fit for this struggling Baylor defense. Lackey made the 2011 first-team South California Football Association and logged 54 tackles to help Riverside finish with an 11-0 record. He is also a special teams promise, blocking four kicks during his high school career.

Searcy, on the other hand, was key to Navarro’s win in the 2011 Heart of Texas Bowl.

Ranked No. 19 on the Top 50 Junior College prospects list, Searcy recorded 56 career tackles, eight sacks and was instrumental in leading a defense that held its opponents to only 104 rushing yards per game this season.

Baylor’s defense finished the 2011 regular season with a 112th ranking nationally and they have made it a goal to improve the roster and talent for the 2012 season under former University of Pittsburgh defensive coordinator Phil Bennett.

Coach Briles stated the following regarding the two new Bears:

The thing we always look for with junior college players is whether they are a fit and Eddie and Joey both fit needs for us defensively, and we're excited for them to join the Baylor football program. The main thing will be that both of them will be on campus for the spring semester.