Jarrett Stidham, No. 39 in the ESPN 300 and the No. 3-ranked dual threat quarterback prospect, committed to Baylor over Oregon on Friday morning after placing a phone call to Bears offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Kendal Briles on Thursday night to officially put an end to his recruitment.
A 2015 Under Armour All-America Game selection, Stidham decommitted from Texas Tech on Dec. 13. The following day he made an unofficial visit to Waco to spend time with the Baylor staff, specifically Art and Kendal Briles. It was the second unofficial visit to Waco in December for the talented quarterback.
Stidham played wide receiver as a sophomore before taking over at quarterback as a junior for the Stephenville Yellow Jackets, where Art Briles won four 4A state championships in the 1990s before leaving for the college ranks.
In two seasons, the dual-threat prospect passed for 5,547 yards and 65 touchdowns, and rushed for 1,790 yards and 29 scores despite missing time as a senior with a broken hand.
Prior to his March commitment to Texas Tech, Stidham considered offers from the likes of Kentucky, Oklahoma and Alabama along with the Bears and Ducks.
In July, Stidham competed in the 2014 Elite 11 quarterback competition, finishing in seventh place.
The pledge of Stidham gives the Bears a headliner in the 2015 class that includes ESPN 300 wide receivers Devontre Stricklin and Chad President, as well as No. 8-ranked running back Ja'Mycal Hasty. Baylor has 16 commitments and, with the verbal of Stidham, will be moving into the Top 25 recruiting classes in the country.
Baylor continues to be in the mix for No. 28 Soso Jamabo, No. 173 Holton Hill, No. 277 Kris Boyd and four-star recruits Kahlil Haughton and Richard Moore.