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Baylor loses 11th member of 2016 recruiting class

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Brandon Bowen became the 11th member of Baylor's 2016 recruiting class to leave the program, as a school official told ESPN's Mark Schlabach Friday that the incoming defensive end has been granted his release.

With Bowen's departure, the Bears have now lost half of the 22 members signed to ESPN's 17th-ranked recruiting class since head coach Art Briles was dismissed in May.

The carnage is staggering for the embattled program, as five of the eight incoming freshman were four-star recruits, with three highly-ranked junior college transfers leaving as well.

Player Position Rating
Devin Duvernay WR 4-star
Patrick Hudson OG 4-star
Kameron Martin RB 4-star
J.P. Urquidez OT 4-star
Tren'Davian Dickson WR 4-star
Parrish Cobb CB 3-star
Donovan Duvernay ATH 3-star
Brandon Bowen DE 3-star
Jeremy Faulk DL Junior College
B.J. Autry OG Junior College
DeQuinton Osborne DE Junior College

Bowen is a three-star recruit from Trophy Club, Texas, and will be allowed to transfer to another school without having to sit out a year. That isn't the case for Tren'Davian Dickson, who announced he will play at Houston. The speedy receiver enrolled early in January and will have to sit out the 2016 season before becoming eligible.

Interim coach Jim Grobe likely won't feel too much of a decline in his first season with the program, as the Bears have a large number of players returning from their impressive 2015 squad. With star quarterback Seth Russell back to full health and offensive coordinator Kendal Briles at the controls, Baylor will likely still compete for the title in the Big 12 during the upcoming season.

With half of this year's recruiting class now gone though, the future outlook might not paint as rosy a picture for the Baylor program.

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