Inside Baylor's 2009 Recruiting Class

QUICK LINK: Jump straight to the list of Baylor's 2009 signees

INSTANT CONTRIBUTORS
Coaches recruit JUCO talent for one reason: instant impacts. The Bears addressed their greatest need, finding offensive tackles to replace Dan Gay and Jason Smith, by signing seven offensive linemen, three of them JUCO transfers. Every lineman who signed was ranked at least a 3-star caliber player by Rivals.com. Ironically, the prize of the JUCO haul, Danny Watkins, has the least amount of experience. The native Canadian was a hockey player until switching to football at Oroville (Calif.) Butte College. Watkins, who signed in December and is already on campus, picked up football quickly as evidenced by multiple BCS offers. ... Look for Texas JUCO products Marquise Franklin and Phillip Blake (coincidentally, also originally hailing from Canada) to compete along with Watkins for an immediate starting job. ...