WACO, Texas (AP) - The decision by defensive tackle Andrew Billings to stay home made the wait worthwhile for Baylor.

Billings, a four-star player from Waco High School, is among 23 players the Bears signed to national letters of intent Wednesday.

Considered one of the top 12 defensive tackles nationally, Billings made his decision official on signing day after verbally announcing his decision a day earlier.

When asked about the excitement once Billings made his decision public, Baylor coach Art Briles says it was pandemonium. The coach described Billings as one of the three of four prep defensive tackles in Texas who could an immediate impact at the Division I level.

The Bears also signed another recruit rated four stars by Rivals, getting receiver Robbie Rhodes from Southwest High in Fort Worth.

Baylor 2013 football signing class

Baylor's 2013 football signees announced Wednesday:

Andrew Billings, dl, 6-0, 305, Waco (Texas) HS

Travon Blanchard, lb, 6-1, 185, West Orange-Stark HS, Orange, Texas

Byron Bonds, dl, 6-1, 280, Allen (Texas) HS

Terell Brooks, dl, 6-4, 305, Navarro College (Texas)

Raaquan Davis, lb, 6-1, 205, Rockwall-Heath HS, Rockwall, Texas

Kyle Fulks, db, 5-8, 160, Katy (Texas) HS

Kiante' Griffin, wr, 6-0, 200, Hebron HS, Carrollton, Texas

Wesley Harris, db, 6-0, 175, Southwest HS, Fort Worth, Texas

Johnny Jefferson, rb, 5-9, 195, Shoemaker HS, Killeen, Texas

Chris Johnson, qb, 6-4, 195, Bryan (Texas) HS

Quan Jones, wr, 6-4, 200, Wylie East HS, Wylie, Texas

Austin Jupe, db, 6-0, 180, East Central HS, San Antonio

Darius Moore, ol, 6-2, 275, Fort Bend Marshall HS, Missouri City, Texas

Brian Nance, lb, 6-2, 230, Hargrave Military Academy (Va.)

Gus Penning, te, 6-5, 245, Riverside (Calif.) CC

Xavier Phillips, lb/de, 6-1, 220, All Saints Episcopal School, Fort Worth, Texas

Maurice Porter, ol, 6-6, 290, Fort Bend Marshall HS, Missouri City, Texas

Alfred Pullom, s, 6-1, 185, Cypress Woods HS, Cypress, Texas

Robbie Rhodes, wr, 6-0, 185, Southwest HS, Fort Worth, Texas

Taion Sells, s, 5-9, 180, MacArthur HS, Irving, Texas

Kevin "K.J." Smith, de, 6-1, 240, Centennial HS, Frisco, Texas

Tanner Thrift, dl, 6-5, 260, Hutto (Texas) HS

Taylor Young, lb, 5-9, 215, DeSoto (Texas) HS