The Baylor Bears defense is set to receive a boost in 2013 with the addition of Hargave Military Academy's Brian Nance, a linebacker from Euless (TX) Trinity who signed with the 2012 class, but had to take a detour to Virginia after failing to qualify.
LB Brian Nance eligible to enroll at Baylor
A US Army All-American linebacker has now qualified to play for the Bears after spending a year at Hargrave Military Academy.
Kevin Jairaj-US PRESSWIRE
The 6-2, 245-pound Nance announced via Twitter on Monday that he has qualified:
Qualified Baylor nation #SicEm
— ✨✨baylor gang#2✨✨ (@FlyguyNance) November 12, 2012
Now a physically imposing linebacker or potential defensive end after gaining somewhere between 20 and 25 pounds since leaving Trinity, Nance will most likely join a linebacking corps that is made up of two-star high school prospects like leading tackle Bryce Hager and Brody Trahan, combined with a three-star junior college prospect in third-leading tackler Eddie Lackey.
In other words, Nance will immediately represent a significant upgrade in pure talent and potential as perhaps the most physically gifted linebacker in terms of size and speed to emerge from Texas in the 2012 group. Nance is the prototype for a linebacker and as well as head coach Art Briles has recruited and developed offensively over the years, landing pure defensive talent like Nance has been rare, with nickel back Ahmad Dixon the clear exception.
Bears fans surely hope that the former Army All-American Nance, who had offers from Oklahoma, USC, and many others, will help resurrect a defense that currently ranks dead last in the FBS in total defense and 102nd in yards per play.
Head coach Art Briles is pursuing an infusion of JUCO talent that can combine with growth from 2012 five-star defensive tackle Javonte Magee to help fuel an instant turnaround. The Bears are currently targeting JUCO defensive linemen Ge'Monee Brown (Pearl River CC/Poplarville, MS) and Demetrius Campbell (East Los Angeles College) to aid in those efforts.
