By JD

Waco Texas high school senior, and Baylor defensive Tackle commit Andrew Billings is known as a strong individual.  Billings strengths in the trenches was his upper body strength, so much so that before committing to Baylor he held offers to UT and TCU as well.  Billings shocked most people is wanting to stay in Waco and play with the often defensively challenged Baylor Bears.  But if Billings is asked to carry the Bears defense on his shoulders, he’s strong enough to do just that.

Andrew Billings blew away the competition in the state power lifting meet, but he not only won he also set a new record.  Usually state power lifting doesn’t make the news, but its who held the previous record that has thrust this into the news.  The previous record was held by WWE superstar, and former Olympic weight lifter Mark Henry, from Silsbee Texas.  Henry also won several strong man competitions, and is known in the WWE as “the world’s strongest man.”  Now Billings can claim to be the strongest Texan of all time, so someone might want to notify the WWE.

By JD

The Lady Bears are landed a second straight #1 seed, and hope it leads to a second straight national title.  Baylor opens the tournament against fellow Texas school Prairie View, in Waco.  The Texas Tech lady Raiders landed a 7 seed, but perhaps more importantly landed in Lubbock Texas for their 1^st round game.  If they advance, they will probably get an unfair home court advantage against #2 seed CAL.  Texas A&M is the fourth Texas school in the women’s bracket, and also will host the 1^st two rounds in College Station. 

So while the Texas men’s hoop teams decided to sit this dance out in 2013, the lady Texans are ready to make a splash, with Baylor armed and ready to defend their title.  Boys, take notes.

By JD

                Baylor has made great strides in Waco Texas since Art Briles has arrived on the Brazos, and Tuesday was another big step in becoming a national power.  Baylor received the news that local 4 star recruit Andrew Billings was staying in Waco to play his college ball at Baylor.  Billings is a defensive tackle that could make an immediate impact on the bear’s defense.  What makes this signing extra special, they beat out TCU and UT for his services.  Now, Baylor and TCU often battle for the same recruits, so that news isn’t too big.  But beating out UT, especially for a defensive player is HUGE.  Baylor has been lighting up scoreboards since Briles arrived, but the defense has been nonexistent.  Landing a stud recruit on that side of the ball is a step in the right direction, but beating UT head to head means Baylor has truly arrived.  Baylor also landed a 4 star wide receiver from TCU’s back yard in Fort Worth, Robbie Rhodes.  Rhodes is ranked as one of the top 10 recruits in the state, and yes UT wanted him as well.  Baylor’s 3^rd 4 star recruit was junior college linebacker Brian Nance out of Chatham Virginia, so the Baylor brand does indeed extend out of Texas.  All in all Baylor will sign 23 kids on National Signing Day, in what might be the best recruiting class in Bear’s history.   

                Baylor has the #25 ranked class per rivals.com, and that is with an unusually weak crop of Texas kids this season.  Baylor has clearly cashed in on their recent success, building off of recent Bowl victories and of course RG3.  Last season’s class was ranked #45,   year before #46, and in 2010 Baylor’s class was ranked #39.  Art Briles has just signed an extension at Baylor, meaning he’s here for the long haul.  He clearly sees something big in Baylor, and now 18 year old kids see it as well.