NOTE: The content on the Baylor Blitz is solely meant for the subscribers of SicEmSports. Let's all please make sure that whatever is written here stays here. We appreciate you all helping us with this. Now, let's all take a look at Baylor recruiting and what else is going on involving the Bears.
2015 recruiting ..which way does the arrow point?
Baylor is making inroads with the 2015 class. With Temple quarterback Chad President and Huntsville offensive lineman Ronnie Major already verbally committed, don't be surprised if a few more start falling by November when seasons end.
SicEmSports points out several targets and which way the arrow is pointing.
RB JaMycal Hasty, Longview - arrow up: With his ties to Central Texas, Baylor appears to be making a really good move here and arguably has the lead. He definitely fits into the Lache Seastrunk mold and it's already known that he's recruiting teammate and 2014 DT Zaycoven Henderson. Now, he's likely going to visit Texas A&M for the Auburn game on Oct. 19. But it seems like Baylor might be the team to beat.
DB Justin Dunning, Whitehouse - arrow sideways: Thought to be a Texas A&M lean, Dunning said Thursday that it's not true and that he really is off to a good start with Baylor. He talked with Brian Norwood earlier this week. Although he missed the West Virginia last Saturday, he said he hopes to get to Waco for the Oct. 19 game against Iowa State.
QB Jarrett Stidham, Stephenville - arrow sideways: We're not buying the talk that Texas has the lead here until Stidham actually announces or it's reporting he's committed to Texas. Stidham's ties to Baylor run longer than Texas. Remember, he started visiting Baylor summer camps in 2012 and just got started with Texas this year. He's also in no hurry either by saying he wouldn't announce a top 5 or 10 until the spring. Stidham is working toward graduating in December of 2014.
LB Anthony Wheeler, Dallas Skyline - arrow up: He recently mentioned that he's seriously considering Baylor and continues to have a good vibe with the coaching staff. There's likely not too much to read into him visiting Cowboys Stadium for Notre Dame-Arizona State. It's OK to check out other games.
Ath Blake Lynch, Troup - arrow up. It would be breaking news if Baylor fell out of the lead. Lynch has identified the Bears as his leader and it could be a matter of time before he pulls the trigger and commits to the Bears.
RB Chris Warren, RB, Rockwall - arrow sideways. That's not necessarily a bad thing because he's already been to two Baylor games including the West Virginia game after he had torn his ACL. His mother will play a steady hand in this process. Plus, his mother commented how attentive the Baylor staff was last week when they were in Waco. The arrow is sideways only because some time will run before a decision is made. Warren had successful surgery Thursday and is expected to begin his rehab on Friday.
WR Devontre Stricklin, Waco Midway - arrow up. You can't go to a Baylor game and look into the recruits section without finding him there. It would appear that the Bears have the lead but the staff probably knows it can take its time with Stricklin.
-Kevin Lonnquist
Ferris duo key to 6-0 start
When their recruiting explodes -- and their head coach firmly believes it will happen -- Baylor will be able to say it was in on it early.
Baylor joins a list of some pretty elite schools (Oregon, USC, Alabama, Texas) which has expressed a lot of interest in Ferris LB Darrick Walker. A tall, long athlete, Walker already has nearly 90 tackles through six games for Ferris. So far, only Colorado State has offered. But Ferris head coach Aaron Emeyabbi says that will change.
"Just about all your major colleges have shown interest," he said.
Walker checks in around 185 pounds, making him a lean 6-4. His coach thinks he can add on as many as 30-25 pounds without sacrificing any speed. He projects him to remain an outside linebacker.
"Darrick Walker can basically take over a game defensively," Emeyabbi said. "When he wants to play he can't be blocked. All 6-foot-4 of him can't be stopped. He's got something you can't coach. You can't coach instant, and he has unbelievable instinct."
Walker is reason 1A Ferris is undefeated so far. Reason 1B is QB Javaughn Thurmon. Rivals lists him as an athlete, mostly because of his 5-11 height. But Emeyabbi, who took over as Ferris's coach in 2011 after coaching at a DFW 5A program, says Thurmon can throw with anyone.
Baylor hasn't shown as much interest in Thurmon as Walker, Emeyabbi said. But he said Baylor could be swayed -- along with the rest of the recruiting world -- when they see Thurmon's 2013 game film.
"A lot of colleges are saying he can slot receiver or what not, but they can't see that he can flat out throw," he said. "When anyone watches his game tape, I think he'll get a handful of offers right away."
-Jake Shaw
Vaughns .finally
It's been a long two months for Mesquite Poteet defensive back and Baylor commit Verkedric Vaughns. But on Friday night at Highland Park, Vaughns makes hi 2013 debut.
He's been battling a slight tear in the meniscus, which he believes occurred over the summer. But when practice started in August, that meant more contact and thus, the diagnosis.
"It was bothering me, but I played on it,'' Vaughns said. "My doctors told me to stay off of it but I had to get to camps and 7 on 7. I had a lot going with my recruitment.''
Vaughns, who has been a two-way player for the Pirates, said he likely will be limited to cornerback. He admits the knee isn't 100 percent. He said it's about 85 percent and is wearing a brace. He did not have surgery.
While he thought about playing through the discomfort in August, a trip to the doctor with his mother proved otherwise. She told him to sit or else something worse could happen.
"Thank god it wasn't worse because a friend of mine over at Garland tore his ACL,'' Vaughns said. "My rehab has been hard. It aches. It's aching right now. But it's a mental thing. I think my reactions are still fast but I have to bring my legs with me.
"I just need to get faster and cut and all that. I know I'm going to get hit on it. Somebody fell on it this week. But I just have to deal.''
Once the season ends for the 5-0 Pirates (they are very close to entering the AP Class 4A Top 10 rankings), Vaughns said he believes he will sit out the basketball season in order to make sure the knee is fully recovered. If it does, he plans on running track.
Vaughns did not attend last week's Baylor game against West Virginia because it was Poteet's homecoming. He said he hopes to attend the Oct. 19 homecoming game against Iowa State.
-Kevin Lonnquist
Broxton's big test
Lackawanna C.C. (PA) is traveling to The Bronx, NY for a pretty important contest. But the game within the game may feature Baylor commit Jarell Broxton against Kentucky four-star commit Cory Johnson.
Broxton's position coach Michael Behr said he expects Broxton to face Johnson for a good portion of the game. Johnson, who is a part of Kentucky's No. 7 ranked class (can you believe that?), has been a challenge to handle for opposing offensive linemen. Thus far, Johnson has 21 tackles including 19 solo stops and three tackles for loss.
"This will be a really good test for [Jarel],'' Behr said.
-Kevin Lonnquist
Big 12 Weekend
A look at Saturday's games. All times are central. Oklahoma State and West Virginia have byes.
Iowa State (1-3, 0-1) at No. 21/20 Texas Tech (5-0, 2-0)
11:00 a.m. AT&T Jones Stadium, Lubbock (FOX Sports 1)
The skinny: The Cyclones get nine days to prepare for the Red Raiders who aren't clicking with the passing game head coach Kliff Kingsbury likes. There is some frustration with the way ISU lost, 31-30, to Texas. Tech has been really solid on defense and is third overall (351.6) and first against the run (107.2). The Red Raiders have also forced 11 turnovers - matching their 2012 total.
Kansas (2-2, 0-1) at TCU (2-3, 0-2)
11:00 a.m. Amon Carter Stadium, Fort Worth (FSN)
The skinny: TCU should roll in this one based on the personnel problems the Jayhawks are experiencing including the loss of running back Tony Pierson. The Horned Frogs, who won't have DE Devonte Fields for the rest of the year with a foot injury (surgery) have allowed only 40 points in two conference games but winless in the league. Why? Their offense has struggled and is last in total offense at 321 yards per game. While there have been complaints about their passing game with Trevone Boykin, this running game has shown nothing so far.
No. 12 Oklahoma (5-0, 2-0) vs. Texas (3-2, 2-0)
11:00 a.m. Cotton Bowl, Dallas (ABC)
The skinny: The 103rd meeting of the Red River Shootout. Texas leads, 59-43. Oklahoma has won the last three in pretty convincing fashion. OU leads the conference in total defense at 281.6 yards per game and have been fairly settled with Blake Bell starting at quarterback. Case McCoy starts for Texas at quarterback with David Ash (concussion) unavailable. There have been some whispers behind the scenes that a deal for Texas coach Mack Brown's departure has been agreed to in principle. Brown is 6-9 lifetime against the Sooners at the Texas coach.
No. 15/15 Baylor (4-0, 1-0) at Kansas State (2-3, 2-0)
2:30 p.m. Bill Snyder Family Stadium, Manhattan, KS. (FOX)
The skinny: While the focus has been on Baylor's offense, Baylor's defense leads the nation in tackles for loss (41) and has allowed less than 50 percent of opponent red zone opportunities to be successful. The Wildcats want payback from last year's 52-24 blowout loss in Waco where their national title hopes were ruined. While Bill Snyder didn't publicly commit to Daniel Sams at quarterback, it appears the offense is responding better to him. But special teams could be a problem is return specialist Tyler Lockett (apparent knee injury) cannot play in this game.
-Kevin Lonnquist
Big 12 Power Rankings
Each week, SicEmSports ranks the Big 12 teams based on expectations and performance. Ratings always vary. Agree or disagree, there's nothing like finding out who is ranked where. These rankings are before the Texas-Iowa State game.
1. Baylor - Can the Bears keep up this historic pace?
2. Oklahoma - Sooners will miss LB Corey Nelson
3. Oklahoma State - Using the bye to improve this team's tackling fundamentals
4. Texas Tech - Red Raiders has thrown 14 TDs but 11 interceptions
5. Texas - Does anyone think they have snowball's chance against Oklahoma?
6. West Virginia - Dana Holgorsen one of the most brutally honest coaches you'll meet
7. TCU - Horned Frogs' offensive line is the real problem here
8. Kansas State - Wildcats want to ruin Baylor's season like Baylor did to them in 2012
9. Iowa State - Aaron Wimberly turning into a nice find at running back
10. Kansas - Jayhawks lead the Big 12 in punting average 44.0 nothing to see here
-Kevin Lonnquist
Basketball update
Just a couple of nuggets with the 2013-14 season on the horizon
>Hearing that practices have gotten off to a good start but that the players still need about two more weeks to really get their conditioning in so they will be ready.
>Team seems to be healthy and that means that's a really good sign for sophomore center Isaiah Austin. Austin was cleared to return to practice in late September when the Bears began work on the 2013-14.
>As for the reaction to the Big 12 preseason third place rating, there appears to be a welcomed but not ecstatic reaction to it. It's about what was anticipated.
>While no time officially has been set for the season opener against Colorado Nov. 8 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, it's likely the Bears will get the late slot (8:30 p.m. or 9:00 p.m.). SMU-TCU should get the 6:30 p.m. game.
>Still no word from the NCAA on the hardship waiver for Killeen product and University of Denver product transfer Royce O'Neale. At the very least, Baylor should be hearing something by the end of October. O'Neale has been working out with the team.
-Kevin Lonnquist
Emptying the notebook
>DT Trevor Clemons-Valdez (knee) is expected to play Saturday against Kansas State. That's not too surprising based on Art Briles' comments earlier in the week that Clemons-Valdez could have played last Saturday against West Virginia.
>Huntsville 2015 athlete Morie Evans continues to have dialogue with Baylor hasn't received an offer. His only offer is from Arizona State. Evans said Michigan is coming to watch him play Friday.
>There was a reason Argyle LB Sam Sizelove remains in the picture for the 2014 class. The Bears have always liked him and with Cordell Dorsey likely no longer a part of the picture, that gives the coaching staff the opportunity to really come after him. Plus, it wouldn't hurt if the Bears win in Manhattan, KS. this weekend.
>Baylor's first-team offense has had 36 possessions 31 of them have resulted in scores (30 TDs, 1 FG).
>The Bears have 4 2-play scoring drives and 2 1-play scoring drives.
>Baylor has only had one 3-and-out this year.
-SicEmSports
