When 2013 kicker Chris Callahan (Houston/Second Baptist) attended a camp at Baylor over the summer, he felt he performed well, but he didn't hear much from the Bears.
Six months later, the Bears came calling, and Callahan was all ears.
The 5-foot-11, 185-pound placekicker and punter gave his commitment to Baylor on Thursday, picking the Bears over Mississippi, Southern Mississippi, UTEP and William and Mary.
"It's such a relief and a nice weight off my shoulders and everything, so I'm happy," Callahan said.
Baylor receivers coach/passing game coordinator Kendal Briles reached out to Callahan a week ago, offering Callahan a grayshirt opportunity. After talking it over with his family, Callahan felt it was the right choice.
"They've got a great program that's been on the rise, and the facilities are top-notch," Callahan said. "The staff is great, the school itself, it's a great education and a great private school."
Callahan was 10-of-13 on field goals this season for Second Baptist, with a long of 47 yards. He averaged 44.5 yards per punt and 73 yards on kickoffs. He'll serve as a kicker and punter at Baylor.
The first-team all-state selection in the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools [TAPPS] said he will join the Bears for the summer on scholarship, take the fall off, then re-enroll at Baylor in January 2014 on scholarship.
It took awhile for the Bears to recruit Callahan, but he's glad they did.
"I went to their camp this past summer, and I thought I did really well," he said. "I didn't hear from them at all until last Thursday. Then six, seven months later they came in the picture and swept me off my feet, and I'm married to them the next four years. ... I feel truly blessed that I got this opportunity."
