WACO, Texas - Baylor football will begin defense of its back-to-back Big 12 championships Tuesday, Feb. 24, with the opening of spring drills and conclude after 15 practices on Thursday, April 2. The spring will be highlighted by a "Friday Night Lights" scrimmage March 20 open to the public at McLane Stadium.

Baylor spring practice workouts will take place at the Highers Complex practice fields. Fan inquiries about attending workouts may be directed to the football office at 254-710-3058.

Head coach Art Briles opens his eighth season in 2015 with a roster made up of 17 returning starters and 56 returning lettermen from last year's Big 12 co-championship team, and welcomes four scholarship newcomers during spring drills - mid-year junior college signee Dominic DeSouza (OL from City College of San Francisco) and three early high school enrollees: Devonte Jones (OL from Houston's Bellaire High School, original signee from the 2014 class), Blake Lynch (U.S. Army All-American WR from Gilmer [Texas] High School) and Jarrett Stidham (Under Armour All-American QB from Stephenville [Texas] High School).

Baylor finished the 2014 season ranked seventh nationally, the highest final rank in school history, and played in a New Year's Six bowl (Cotton), its school-record fifth straight bowl appearance.

The Bears open the 2015 season Sept. 4 at SMU. Baylor's Pro Timing Day is scheduled for March 18.