Baylor Football: 3 early 2021 signees who’ll have instant impacts

Ever since Matt Rhule took over, the Bears have been led on defense by terrific linebacker play. From the likes of Clay Johnston, who was an All-Big 12 player and NFL Draft pick to preseason first-team All-Big 12 player in Terrel Bernard.

That tradition has continued under Dave Aranda.

When Bernard tore his labrum against Iowa State, it would be junior Jalen Pitre that would fill in. Pitre finished leading the team in tackles, recording 11 tackles for loss and two interceptions returned for touchdowns. Even converted running Abram Smith got the start late in the season. He would finish with 48 tackles and five tackles for loss.

This inserts Brown very nicely, while having the pedigree of linebackers ahead of him. Roberts likes to play a lot of different players, to keep stamina and fatigue at a high level. Brown is a tackling machine, more so as a junior. He finished with 149 tackles, 10 for loss and six sacks.

Brown is excellent at preventing the run and criminally underrated in terms of ranking. Playing at the powerhouse that is West Orange Stark in Houston, Brown would seem to be recognized more. However, he is ranked as the No. 80 linebacker and 210th overall player in the state of Texas. With production like that, Brown has garnered little to no national attention.

Baylor is expected to have quite a few linebackers returning with the main four being juniors or younger. However, Roberts loves to use quite a few players and with Brown’s intensity of instincts to tackling, he could receive some valuable time.