Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic

Collin Brence couldn’t help but smile just a little bit whenever he would hear the words of a Drake song blasting from the loudspeakers at Baylor football’s practice: “Started from the bottom, now we’re here.”
 
An all-state safety at Plano High School, the 6-foot, 210-pound Brence turned down scholarship offers from smaller schools to walk on at Baylor.
 
“I had a chance to play at some other places, but they just weren’t right for me,” he said. “So, I decided to walk-on somewhere, and this was actually the first place I looked. Coach (Art) Briles had a great open mind to it and said I would get a chance. (Defensive coordinator Phil) Bennett said the same thing. And it just felt right. God sent me here for a reason.”
 
After predominantly spending his time on scout team and special teams his first three years at Baylor, Brence started all 12 games at the hybrid nickel back spot as a senior entering the Classic. He ranked fourth on the team with 49 tackles to go with seven QB hurries, 3.5 tackles for loss, one fumble recovery and his first career sack and interception.
 
 “This has been one of my dreams…forever, ever since I first started playing football,” he said. “The walk-on thing kind of makes it a little sweeter. It humbles you a little bit and makes you work for everything you’re given. This place is a little different. Walk-ons do get an opportunity to go out there and prove themselves. I’m just very thankful for that opportunity, and I want to prove them right and make a name for myself.”
 
Excelling in the classroom as well, Brence was a two-time member of the Academic All-Big 12 first team. He earned 2014 Capital One Academic All-America honors as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Majoring in professional sales, Brence carried a 3.73 GPA.