By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
Baylor’s coaching staff is on the road looking for the future. But it also needs to ensure what it presently has on its roster can help it bounce back in 2023.
It’s fair to say the wide receiver corps didn’t perform up to expectations in 2022. There was hope that a couple would emerge as the go-to performers as the season evolved. However, that didn't materialize.
No Baylor receiver finished with more than 600 receiving yards. Baylor’s 231.4 passing/receiving yards per game ranked 8th in the Big 12. The 19 touchdowns tied for last with Iowa State. Indeed, there needs to be an about face with this group. Occasionally, the big play presented itself. However, this part of the offense was far too inconsistent.
In a new series, we break down how Baylor’s positions may play out this fall. On Monday, we started with the quarterbacks. We continue with the wide receivers.
The lead WRs: Baylor typically lines up in three wide receiver sets. Baylor’s leading pass catcher – Monaray Baldwin – led this team with 33 receptions and 565 yards. The Big 12’s top 10 receivers in 2022 ranged from 107 to 52. See the gap?
Ideally, there needs to be that lead presence. That’s where Arkansas transfer Ketron Jackson becomes the favorite. He signed with Baylor in December with hopes of becoming that figure and will see a lot of attention. Jackson was just 16-277 (17.3, 3TD) for the Razorbacks in 2022. But he was playing behind others. Now, he must set the tone in the locker room and on the field. If he is to fulfill these expectations – especially winning 50-50 balls and playing physical which is how he is scouted – Jackson's productivity is crucial. A season of 50+ receptions is what should be expected.
Baldwin should be a starter as well in the slot but he can move around as well. He can be the home run hitter as his first two seasons have shown. However, Baldwin would serve this offense well as the No. 2 receiving option. He’s the most experience of any of the returners.
That third spot is up for grabs. Hal Presley would appear to be the one to have the opportunity (32-382, 11.9, 3TD) because his makeup is similar to Jackson’s. They could be bookends. Presley had his moments. Now, it’s time for him to take the next step.
Depth Chart: With Jaylen Ellis off to Colorado via the transfer portal, the likes of Josh Cameron and Armani Winfield are the two best candidates to make up the other two options.
Much was made of the former walk-on Cameron’s rise to scholarship status last spring. It was a learning experience (28-386, 13.8) as he is still looking for his first career TD reception. Winfield was secured shortly before the early 2022 signing period in December 2021. He only caught one pass. It’s now time for him to take that next step in his growth.
Then there are others like Elijah Bean, Jordan Nabors (who was a pretty good return specialist and has a little juice) and Cameron Bonner. It wouldn’t hurt Baylor to scour the portal for a grad transfer receivers.
The bottom line is that this group needs to look nothing like it did in 2022. It needs to present a scouting problem for the opponent.
Publisher
Baylor’s coaching staff is on the road looking for the future. But it also needs to ensure what it presently has on its roster can help it bounce back in 2023.
It’s fair to say the wide receiver corps didn’t perform up to expectations in 2022. There was hope that a couple would emerge as the go-to performers as the season evolved. However, that didn't materialize.
No Baylor receiver finished with more than 600 receiving yards. Baylor’s 231.4 passing/receiving yards per game ranked 8th in the Big 12. The 19 touchdowns tied for last with Iowa State. Indeed, there needs to be an about face with this group. Occasionally, the big play presented itself. However, this part of the offense was far too inconsistent.
In a new series, we break down how Baylor’s positions may play out this fall. On Monday, we started with the quarterbacks. We continue with the wide receivers.
The lead WRs: Baylor typically lines up in three wide receiver sets. Baylor’s leading pass catcher – Monaray Baldwin – led this team with 33 receptions and 565 yards. The Big 12’s top 10 receivers in 2022 ranged from 107 to 52. See the gap?
Ideally, there needs to be that lead presence. That’s where Arkansas transfer Ketron Jackson becomes the favorite. He signed with Baylor in December with hopes of becoming that figure and will see a lot of attention. Jackson was just 16-277 (17.3, 3TD) for the Razorbacks in 2022. But he was playing behind others. Now, he must set the tone in the locker room and on the field. If he is to fulfill these expectations – especially winning 50-50 balls and playing physical which is how he is scouted – Jackson's productivity is crucial. A season of 50+ receptions is what should be expected.
Baldwin should be a starter as well in the slot but he can move around as well. He can be the home run hitter as his first two seasons have shown. However, Baldwin would serve this offense well as the No. 2 receiving option. He’s the most experience of any of the returners.
That third spot is up for grabs. Hal Presley would appear to be the one to have the opportunity (32-382, 11.9, 3TD) because his makeup is similar to Jackson’s. They could be bookends. Presley had his moments. Now, it’s time for him to take the next step.
Depth Chart: With Jaylen Ellis off to Colorado via the transfer portal, the likes of Josh Cameron and Armani Winfield are the two best candidates to make up the other two options.
Much was made of the former walk-on Cameron’s rise to scholarship status last spring. It was a learning experience (28-386, 13.8) as he is still looking for his first career TD reception. Winfield was secured shortly before the early 2022 signing period in December 2021. He only caught one pass. It’s now time for him to take that next step in his growth.
Then there are others like Elijah Bean, Jordan Nabors (who was a pretty good return specialist and has a little juice) and Cameron Bonner. It wouldn’t hurt Baylor to scour the portal for a grad transfer receivers.
The bottom line is that this group needs to look nothing like it did in 2022. It needs to present a scouting problem for the opponent.
