The 2012 Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego was the first football game in Southern California for Baylor University since the Bears played Loyola Marymount in 1938. The only California player on Baylor’s 2012 roster was 2010 Vista Murrieta High School graduate, Eddie Lackey, who is now a starting linebacker for the Bears.

During Baylor’s 49-26 win over UCLA in the Dec. 27, 2012, Holiday Bowl, Lackey had three solo tackles and two assisted tackles. Two solo tackles and an assisted tackle were for losses, all on third down and including an eight-yard solo sack.

"I’m not sure there’s a better guy running around. He’s just a good human being who happens to be a good football player," said Baylor Head Coach Art Briles.

Lackey, a junior who transferred from Riverside City College, made his Baylor debut in 2012 and started all 13 of the Bears’ games. Lackey enrolled at Baylor for the spring 2012 semester, allowing him to participate in spring drills.

"My hat’s off to our defensive coaches for spotting him and finding him," Briles said. "They did a great job of evaluating him."

Lackey was a defensive back during his senior season at Vista Murrieta High School in 2009. That year he made 96 tackles including one sack, had one interception, forced three fumbles, and blocked four kicks. He was also a running back for Vista Murrieta and ran for seven touchdowns.

In 2010, Lackey played for Northwood University in Midland, Michigan. As a true freshman he made 56 tackles while also averaging 26.1 yards on kickoff returns for the Timberwolves.

Lackey transferred to Riverside City College for his sophomore season in 2011. The Tigers finished the season with an 11-0 record and a #5 national ranking. Lackey’s 54 tackles included eight for losses and he also broke up six passes during the year.

The Holiday Bowl victory gave Baylor an 8-5 final season record for 2012. Lackey led the Bears with 10 1/2 tackles for losses, four interceptions, 110 interception return yards, and two interception returns for touchdowns. His 104 total tackles and 71 solo tackles both ranked second among Baylor players. The Holiday Bowl sack was Lackey’s second of 2012, and his season statistics also included one pass broken up, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.

The Associated Press named Lackey to the all-conference second team for 2012, and he earned Big 12 Conference defensive player of the week honors on both Nov. 26, 2012, and Dec. 3, 2012. The Nov. 26, 2012, honor resulted from Lackey’s Nov. 24, 2012, game in which he intercepted two Texas Tech passes, including a fourth-quarter pick he returned 55 yards for a touchdown to give Baylor a 35-31 lead (after the extra point) in the Bears’ eventual 52-45 overtime victory. Lackey also made four solo tackles and one assisted tackle against the Red Raiders.

The Dec. 3, 2012, awards resulting from Baylor’s Dec. 1, 2012, win over Oklahoma State also included Lache Seastrunk earning conference offensive player of the week honors, giving Baylor the Big 12 offensive and defensive players of the week in the same week for the first time ever. Lackey became the first Baylor player since 2001 to return interceptions for touchdowns in consecutive games when his 28-yard return broke a 3-3 tie in the first quarter. Lackey also had 12 solo tackles and three assisted tackles in the Bears’ 41-34 victory over the Cowboys.

"He’s just a tremendous person first and foremost," Briles said.