By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
Everything that needed to be completed for Baylor football this offseason has been completed.

The coaching staff is in place with the return of Matthew Powledge at defensive coordinator, Christian Robinson the new inside linebackers coach and Tyler Hancock handling the special teams.

Minus a last-minute transfer portal addition – that seems unlikely but never say never – the roster is also set. Then, there’s the quarterback battle that was resolved as Blake Shapen was named the starter at least for the beginning of the 2023 season.

Preseason predictions about the Bears are starting to circulate. This is a schedule that favors the Bears with eight home games. Couple that with the four new Big 12 arrivals – BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF – who officially become members Saturday but are not expected to contend and there’s an opportunity to bounce back from the 6-7 2022 campaign.

SicEmSports provides its game-by-game prediction for the upcoming fall campaign.

Sept. 2 vs. Texas State: Well, we all remember that drive at the end of the first half of last year’s game. Even though Baylor won 42-7, it served as a watershed of things to come for the rest of the season.

This opener should be routine for the Bears. G. J. Kinne makes his debut as head coach for the Bobcats. What fans need to see from this one is Shapen looking confident, crisp and executing in all areas. Anything less would be concerning.

Result: Baylor 42, Texas State 10
Baylor Record: 1-0

Sept. 9 vs. Utah: This is the game that likely foretells where the rest of the season is going. The wild card in this game is the health of Utah QB Cam Rising. He tore his ACL in the Rose Bowl against Penn State. It’s unclear if he would be ready for this game or not.

Still, Baylor must play near perfect on both sides of the ball. That means Shapen cannot have any turnovers. This is a watershed game for him as well.

Result: Utah 27, Baylor 17
Baylor Record: 1-1

Sept. 16 vs. Long Island: Well, no one should worry about this one. This is the time to maybe show up middle of the first quarter after the tailgate and likely leave middle of the third quarter.

Long Island is a program that does have a decent history at the lower levels of football and is coming off a 4-7 season in 2022. This is also a guarantee game. Should this go the way that is anticipated, the reserves could be in to start the second half.

Result: Baylor 56, Long Island 7
Baylor Record: 2-1

Sept. 23 vs. Texas: The Big 12 opener and likely the last ever meeting between these two programs where the series spans back to 1923. Managing emotions for Baylor properly is going to be paramount if the upset is to be pulled.

Texas is the preseason favorite to win the Big 12 before it heads to the SEC in 2024. The Longhorns know they’re going to get everybody’s best shot. Baylor can win this if both its running game and rushing defense are sound.

Play this game straight up and Texas wins.

Result: Texas 24, Baylor 21
Baylor Record: 2-2

Sept. 30 at UCF: These two haven’t seen each other since the 2014 Fiesta Bowl in which the Golden Knights won, 52-42. Of course, Baylor was coming off its first Big 12 championship. In fact, that’s the only time they’ve ever met.

It’s also going to feel a bit odd since the Bears opened the season with the first four games at McLane Stadium. This is the first road game. Now, they see Gus Malzahn. UCF is supposed to be the best of the four new schools to handle the transition to the P5 ranks. Former Ole Miss QB John Rhys Plumlee is the starting QB.

Result: Baylor 31, UCF 27
Baylor Record: 3-2

Oct. 7 vs. Texas Tech: The return of Joey McGuire. The Red Raiders are expected to be even better than what they were last year. They were the surprise team of the Big 12 in 2022.

Of course, Baylor handled the Red Raiders in Lubbock last year. It’s a case of how physical Baylor’s defense can be to keep that explosive Texas Tech offense slowed to some extent.

Result: Baylor 35, Texas Tech 28
Baylor Record: 4-2

Oct. 21 at Cincinnati: On paper, this should be a road win for the Bears. Cincinnati has a decent defense returning. However, the offense is in flux as incumbent QB Ben Bryant hit the portal in the spring. Arizona State transfer Emory Jones appears to be the favorite.

New head coach Scott Satterfield is coming over from Louisville and likely will have to lean on that defense all season.

Result: Baylor 21, Cincinnati 13
Baylor Record: 5-2

Oct. 28 vs. Iowa State: Well, it looks like the window for the Cyclones to be at the top of the Big 12 has come and gone. Matt Campbell’s program went 4-8, the first losing season since 2016.

The Cyclones will always bring a solid defense. But if the Bears can make life difficult for sophomore QB Hunter Dekkers, they should be OK in this one. Look for the BU defense to create some turnovers.

Result: Baylor 28, Iowa State 17
Baylor Record: 6-2

Nov. 4 vs. Houston: Expectations aren’t very high with the Cougars, even though former Texas Tech QB Donovan Smith will be running the offense. In fact, the Cougars lost so much that they are predicted to be near the bottom of the Big 12.

Baylor and Houston tried to play each other during the 2020 covid season but COVID issues caused it to fall apart.

The Bears should take advantage of the Cougars and the favorable home schedule.

Result: Baylor 38, Houston 17
Baylor Record: 7-2

Nov. 11 at Kansas State: Expectations are high for the reigning Big 12 champions. QB Will Howard returns. The Wildcats will have to replace special RB Deuce Vaughn. But their defense should be in pretty good shape.

If the season plays out from previous predicted results, the Bears will be in the race for the Big 12 championship. But this is the start to a pivotal two-game road swing that will determine their title game hopes. Likely not going to be enough in Manhattan, KS.

Result: Kansas State 31, Baylor 21
Baylor Record: 7-3

Nov. 18 at TCU: If this season is going the way Baylor hopes, this meeting at Amon Carter Stadium will be an elimination game. This series has been a struggle for the Bears as they have won only once in the last eight meetings.

If the Horned Frogs offense is cooking under new QB Chandler Morris, Baylor is going to have a tough time here. They saw that when Morris started and beat them in 2021. Chances are the Bears will.

Result: TCU 35, Baylor 29
Baylor Record: Record 7-4

Nov. 25 vs. West Virginia: Like Houston, expectations for the Mountaineers are very low. In fact, should things play out as such, the question would be if head coach Neal Brown is coaching this game or not.

Senior Day for the Bears who want to end on a good note with progress with a bowl appearance and momentum into 2024. They should be able to do that.

Result: Baylor 38, West Virginia 20
Baylor Record: 8-4

Bowl: Texas or Liberty

Publisher’s Note: I’ll grant you I’m a little more optimistic on this. However, when you have eight home games, you better take advantage of it. The range of 6-8 wins is probably right for this team. Really, seven wins is the minimum.

I wrote a couple of weeks ago how Utah determines the fate of this season. Still believe that. The road games at UCF and Cincinnati determine if this team can find eight wins.

However, if this team is changing QBs during the season due to injury or ineffectiveness, then all bets are off for 2023.

I see Oregon is still bringing in QB recruits.

All football this week. We do a little retrospective, and then talk about this year and the NIL.
Since we look backwards some, I found some photos from a few years ago.



Came in at 29:12

Listen to the podcast here

Got a chance to visit with the Scottsdale (AZ) Desert Mountain 2024 TE on Wednesday afternoon. He confirmed that his decision is between Baylor and Ole Miss. However, he's not ready to make a decision immediately. He said he plans to make it in the coming weeks. Just have to ride the wave and see what happens.

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I know something is up. Just not sure when it will happen. Will keep you posted.

Obviously, we want the recruit to have his moment.

By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
Baylor won the three-horse race.

Prior to Kyland Reed's OV to Baylor this past weekend, the Bears were named as one of the three finalists along with Utah and Oklahoma State.

But the vibe during the official visit went as hoped and the Bears locked down their 10th addition to the 2024 class. In fact, he set up his OV to Baylor shortly after he announced the Bears were in his Top 3.
Login to view embedded media On Tuesday, the Mansfield Summit OLB announced on Twitter he was committing to the Bears. Reed's offer list was pretty impressive as he held offers from Illinois, Missouri and Texas Tech.
Login to view embedded media Credit new ILB coach Christian Robinson and OLB coach Caleb Collingswho did great work to not only keep Baylor in this race but bring the program to the front.

Reed likely is seen as a will linebacker, the same role Terrel Bernard made a trademark in 2021. Reed missed the 2022 season with an injury. However, in 2021 he finished the season with 48 tackles, 12 TFL, seven sacks, 11 PBUs, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Indeed, he had a prowess for making things happen.

The No. 39 rated OLB in the country by Rivals, Reed is the No. 99 rated player in Texas.

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Login to view embedded media Our Krysten Peek caught up with Johnson at the U19 USAB workouts. Johnson has a Top 6 that includes Baylor, Texas, Kansas, Alabama, Arkansas and Kentucky.

He recently moved from Lake Highlands - after leading the Wildcats to the 2023 6A State Title - to Link Academy in Branson, MO. That's where Baylor 2023 signee Ja'Kobe Walter was for his senior year.

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Matt Rhule got him to come to Nebraska. But Baylor is fine at RB with Joseph Dodds.

By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
Baylor is set for its third official visitors weekend for the 2024 recruiting class. It’s been a flurry of activity since this past Friday.

On Wednesday, the Bears added to their class with the addition of Tidehaven running back Joseph Dodds. That brings the total number of pledges in this class to eight. Dodds had taken his official visit the previous weekend.

Baylor’s set number is an unknown given the program’s attention to the NCAA transfer portal. However, an educated guess probably puts the number at about 15.

Here’s a look at the visitors who start their visits on Friday. Traditionally, recruits do not commit following their visits. Never say never but given the non-commits who are arriving along with their recruiting nuggets, it doesn't appear Baylor is in line to lock anyone down.

Login to view embedded media Call it a celebration of some sorts. The Bears were the heavy favorites in this process. And it came to fruition when he announced on June 14. Wokomah is the No. 64 rated safety in the country according to Rivals.

Login to view embedded media This is the last of three OVs for the talented tight end out of Arizona. He visited Ole Miss on June 2 and then Arizona State on June 9. Baylor’s approach on this will be interesting. It has a stacked tight end room and it’s not clear what Hipp would offer. There is the sense Ole Miss leads.

Login to view embedded media Sieracki committed way back on Jan. 31 and will have the dream of playing with his brother, 2022 signee Kaden. Many recruiting analysts believe he’s the better of the two brothers. Of course, time will tell. Siercacki’s commitment to Baylor has been pretty solid.

Login to view embedded media Reed recently named Baylor to his Top 3. The other two are Oklahoma State and Utah. This is the third of his three official visits. Reed took an unusually early one to Stillwater, OK on April 21 and then visited Utah on June 9. This is going to be a close call between the Bears, Utes and Cowboys whenever he decides.

Login to view embedded media With Baton Rouge OL Jude Foster committing to Ole Miss recently, that opened up a spot to host another offensive lineman. Enter Akinkunmi, who went to the RGIII camp this past week, impressed and received the offer. The native of London, who is from the NFL Academy, announced on Monday he was coming to Waco this weekend. He has other P5 offers from Minnesota, Duke, Washington State and Texas Tech.

Login to view embedded media The conventional wisdom is that Utah leads for Saleapaga. Rivals FutureCasts have him heading to Salt Lake City. But the Bears get their chance to change his mind or at least give him something further to consider.

Login to view embedded media The Shreveport (LA) native doesn’t have the most impressive offer list. That’s why the Bears are the odds-on favorite in this recruitment. We’ll see what happens. His length at 6-6 is something that’s hard to discount.

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Here is your opportunity to donate to the Baylor Collective (GXG) and support student athletes with NIL funds. Here’s the kicker…for the month of June a few donors have agreed to match contributions 2x. Please consider giving what you can to help us become competitive on the NIL front.

And no @timfwilliams this is NOT a waste 😉

Here's the link:
https://www.gxg.startupwaco.com/june-challenge

By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
Keyonte George's mission to become a refined No. 1 draft choice following his only year at Baylor became fulfilled Thursday night.

Midway through the NBA draft, the Utah Jazz used the 16th overall selection on the 6-4 combo guard from Lewisville.

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This selection fell right in line with ESPN's mock draft early Thursday morning that project George to go to the Jazz. George becomes the 12 pick from Scott Drew's program since 2010. The Bears also have the most draft selections of any Texas collegiate program since 2012.

And there's something about Baylor and the Jazz. Guard Jared Butler went in the second round to Utah in 2021.

George was the second-leading scorer for Baylor in 2022-23 when he averaged 15.3 points per game. There were games where it was easy to see where he would be selected. He took over games down the stretch against West Virginia and Arkansas.

However, a tough ankle injury limited him down the stretch denying the kind of finish he and his teammates had envisioned.

George is considered a shot maker with room to grow on the defensive end.

He should have an opportunity to play right away for the Jazz, which finished 37-45 and missed the NBA playoffs.

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BAYLOR NBA DRAFT HISTORY
YEAR NAMES, POS. RD PICK TEAM
1949 James Owens, G/F 2 21 Washington
1950 Don Heathington, F/C 9 - New York
1957 Jerry Mallett, G 4 31 Syracuse
1965 Spencer Carlson, F 10 79 St. Louis
1967 Darrell Hardy, C 3 21 Detroit
1971 William Chatmon, F 15 218 Buffalo
1979 Vinnie Johnson, G 1 7 Seattle
1982 Terry Teagle, G 1 16 Houston
1986 Carlos Briggs, G 4 79 San Antonio
1988 Micheal Williams, G 2 48 Detroit
1988 Darryl Middleton, F/C 3 68 Atlanta
1993 Alex Holcombe, C 2 44 Sacramento
1998 Brian Skinner, F/C 1 22 L.A. Clippers
2010 Ekpe Udoh, F/C 1 6 Golden State
2012 Perry Jones III, F 1 28 Oklahoma City
2012 Quincy Acy, F 2 37 Toronto
2012 Quincy Miller, F 2 38 Denver
2013 Pierre Jackson, G 2 42 Philadelphia
2014 Cory Jefferson, F 2 60 San Antonio
2016 Taurean Prince, F 1 12 Utah
2021 Davion Mitchell, G 1 9 Sacramento
2021 Jared Butler, G 2 40 New Orleans
2022 Jeremy Sochan, F 1 9 San Antonio
2022 Kendall Brown, F/G 2 48 Minnesota
2023 Keyonte George, G 1 16 Utah

By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
Baylor's final recruiting weekend for June added some momentum Sunday evening.

Shreveport (LA) 2024 offensive tackle Tristan Santoro announced his commitment to the Bears following this weekend's official visit.
Login to view embedded media The Bears were the heavy favorites in this one. Santoro held other offers from Louisiana Tech, Tulane - keep in mind the Green Wave is coming off a Cotton Bowl win over USC - and Memphis.

Of course, the Bears held this advantage as they were the only P5 school to offer Santoro. However, offensive line coach Eric Mateos has done a phenomenal job working with any lineman who has come through Baylor in his two-plus seasons.

Santoro is the second offensive lineman to commit to the Bears for the 2024 class. The Woodlands Koltin Sieracki committed to Baylor back on Jan. 31. Sieracki was also at Baylor for his OV this past weekend.

What makes Santoro an intriguing prospect is his frame. The 270-pound frame can be molded in a P5 strength and conditioning program. At 6-6, the wingspan can make a big difference protecting the edge.

Baylor is now at nine commits for the 2024 class.

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OK so it’s showtime for Keyonte George and Adam Flagler.

For George his stock has been up and down in recent mock drafts to where he’s been projected to go anywhere from the 15th overall pick to the 22nd pick. The latest mock draft from ESPN has him going 16th to Utah.

For Flagler it’s pretty much right at the end of the second round or not at all.

Will keep you posted when this gets going later Thursday evening.

Max Muncy and longtime men’s basketball analyst Pat Nunley highlight the Baylor Athletics Hall of Fame 2023 class that includes eight former student-athletes from six different sports.



Joining Muncy (baseball) and Nunley (men’s basketball) in the latest class to be inducted will be J.D. Walton and Ken Quesenberry (football), Tiffany Townsend and Sandy Forsythe Massey (women’s track and field), Denes Lukacs (men’s tennis) and Stan Curry (men’s track and field).



Also recognized will be former tennis letter winner George Chandler as the latest addition to the “B” Association Wall of Honor.



The 2023 Hall of Fame banquet is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3, in the Cashion Building Banquet Room on the Baylor University campus. Tickets are $50 per person, with table sponsorships also available at the green ($600) and gold ($800) levels and can be purchased by contacting the “B” Association at 254-710-3045 or by email at tammy_hardin@baylor.edu.



Organized in 1960, the Baylor Athletics Hall of Fame recognizes and honors individuals whose participation and contributions have enriched and strengthened the university's athletics program. Student-athletes are required to wait 10 years after completing their eligibility before they can be nominated for the Hall of Fame.



Beginning with the inaugural 1960 class that included coach Floyd "Uncle Jim" Crow and baseball's Ted Lyons, 265 honorees have been elected or already enshrined in the Hall of Fame, while Chandler becomes the 32nd addition to the Wall of Honor. The Hall of Fame and Wall of Honor recipients also will be honored on the field at McLane Stadium during the Baylor-Houston football game on Saturday, Nov. 4.



A two-time Southwest Conference champion in the high jump, Curry broke a conference record that had stood for 12 years with his winning mark of 6-11 ½ at the 1968 outdoor meet. With that career-best mark, he is still 10th on Baylor’s all-time performers list, just behind 2022 Hall of Famer Gary Kafer (7-0).



Clearing 6-10 or better 20 times, including four of 6-11 or higher, Curry also won the Drake Relays high jump title in 1968 and Texas Relays in 1969. He won the U.S. Track & Field Federation Championship in 1968 and also competed at the U.S. Olympic Trials that year in Lake Tahoe.



With Baylor’s transition from AIAW to NCAA in 1982, legendary coach Clyde Hart signed Sandy Forsythe to the first women’s track and field scholarship. Proving more than worthy of that distinction, she set school records in the 1,500 (4:16.82) and 5,000 meters (16:15.50) and still holds the program record in the 3,000 (9:22.44).



Named Baylor’s Outstanding Female Athlete as a senior in 1986, Forsythe Massey was also the school’s first female student-athlete to qualify for the NCAA Championships, making it in the 1,500, 3,000 and 5,000 that same year. Nearly 40 years later, she still ranks in the top-10 all-time on the performers list in three events.



A three singles All-American (2008-10), Lukacs was a part of a combined six Big 12 championships and helped the Bears reach at least the NCAA quarterfinals every year. He ranks No. 2 in career singles wins (135) and single-season wins (47, 2007-08) and is one of seven players in the Baylor 200 club (combined singles and doubles wins).

The Hungarian native had top-15 season-ending rankings in 2008, 2009 and 2010, including a sophomore season in ’08 when he won 47 matches, reached the NCAA singles quarterfinals and was named the ITA Regional Player to Watch and Big 12 Tournament Most Outstanding Player. In NCAA Tournament match play, he had an 8-0 record in singles.



Muncy earned Freshman All-America honors in 2010, when he hit .300 with a program freshman-record 11 home runs and 53 RBIs. A two-time first-team All-Big 12 pick (2011-12), he helped the Bears win the Big 12 regular-season championship and reach the NCAA Super Regionals in 2012, hitting .322 with seven homers and a career-best 56 RBIs.



The Keller, Texas, native finished his BU career with a .315 batting average, 27 homers, 40 doubles, six triples and 153 RBIs. Drafted in the fifth round by Oakland in 2012, Muncy is a two-time all-star and won the World Series in 2020 with the Los Angeles Dodgers.



Nunley, a four-year basketball letterman (1977-81), played alongside two of the greatest players in program history in Vinnie Johnson and Terry Teagle. As a junior, he averaged a career-high 12.3 points and shot 88.7% from the free throw line, a mark that still ranks No. 2 all-time.



During his first year of law school at Baylor, he stepped directly into the broadcast role as a color analyst with legendary Hall of Famer Frank Fallon. A career highlighted by the Bears’ 2021 national championship win over Gonzaga that he called with “Voice of the Bears” John Morris, Nunley just finished his 41st season, the second-longest tenure of anyone currently calling Big 12 basketball.



Quesenberry, nicknamed “Quiz,” was a three-year starter at safety and an All-Southwest Conference selection for the “Miracle on the Brazos” champions in 1974. With 12 tackles and an interception, he also was named the Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the 1975 Cotton Bowl.



Selected to the All-Decade Team of the 1970s for both Baylor and the Cotton Bowl, “Quiz” also won the Baylor Golden Helmet Award as the team’s Most Valuable Defensive Back in 1973 and the Bobby Jones Memorial leadership award as a senior. Finishing out his collegiate career, he played in the 1975 Blue-Gray All-Star game.



With a program-record 17 All-America honors (12 individual, five relays), Townsend has nearly twice as many as any other Baylor female track and field student-athlete. As a senior in 2011, she finished third in the 200 at the NCAA Indoor and NCAA Outdoor Championships and also had podium finishes in the indoor 60 meters (6th) and outdoor 100 meters (8th).



Named to Baylor’s 25-for-25 and Co-Track Athlete of the Decade (2010-19), Townsend still holds the school record in the indoor 60 meters (7.23) and multiple top-10 spots in the indoor 60 and 200 and outdoor 100, 200 and 4x100 relay.



Named a first-team All-American by the Associated Press as a senior in 2009, Walton was also a finalist for the Rimington Trophy that is given annually to the nation’s best collegiate center. After transferring from Arizona State, the Allen, Texas, native started 36-consecutive games at center for the Bears and paved the way for Robert Griffin III, Jay Finley and company to rush for 2,349 yards in 2008.



Graduating with a degree in speech communications in December 2009, Walton played in the 2010 Senior Bowl and also was invited to the East-West Shrine Game and NFL Combine. A third-round draft pick by Denver, he started 52 of the 56 games he played in six seasons with the Broncos, Washington Redskins, New York Giants and San Diego Chargers.



The “B” Association Wall of Honor annually recognizes Baylor letterwinners and graduates whose meritorious accomplishments in public or private life following graduation have brought positive public recognition, credit and honor to Baylor and the athletics department.



Chandler, who came to Baylor on a tennis scholarship and earned team MVP honors in 1960, graduated from Baylor Law School in 1962 and developed a reputation as one of the most sought-after trial lawyers and speakers in the country. He started his career with a personal-injury firm in Corpus Christi and opened his own law firm in 1971 in Lufkin.



More than 50 years later, Chandler, Mathis & Zivley specializes in plaintiffs’ personal injury and commercial trial law. “I was motivated to be a lawyer for the working man, where he’d have a voice against larger organizations with great resources,” Chandler said. The son of school teachers and grandson of sawmill workers, he wanted to “see people that we would be able to help and to change things and make life better for them.”



Recognized as one of the Top 100 Super Lawyers in Texas by Thomson Reuters for 10 years running (2003-12), Chandler was named the Baylor Lawyer of the Year in 2009 and a Texas Legal Legend five years later from the Litigation Section of the State Bar of Texas. In 2015, George and his wife, Martha (BA, ‘61) received the Legacy Award for extraordinary service and philanthropy to Baylor or to causes that fit its mission as a Christian university.

Kevin and I talk about the current status of the baseball and basketball teams.



Came in at 32:34

Listen to the podcast here

By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
Login to view embedded media Now, the running back situation for 2024 is good to go for Baylor.

A few days after he took his official visit to Baylor, Tidehaven ball carrier Joseph Dodds announced on Wednesday he has committed to Dave Aranda's program.

Dodds is the eighth member to the class. He chose the Bears over Texas Tech and Missouri, programs he visited in the previous two weekends.
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"The welcoming feeling I had there,'' Dodds said. "It made me feel at home like I belonged. Plus, the amazing coaching staff.''

A two-time first-team all-district selection in 2021 and 2022, Dodds enjoyed a banner season for the Tigers last fall. He rushed for 1,633 yards and 12 touchdowns. Tidehaven advanced to the Class 3A Division II state state quarterfinals. The Tigers finished 11-3.

Dodds was also named the 2020 District Newcomer of the Year. Baylor has had penchant to pursuit the big-time RB coming from small town Texas.

In 2021, it secured Jordan Jenkins from Lindale. In 2022, it locked down Richard Reese from Bellville. Finally, for 2023 it signed Bryson Washington from Franklin.

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Coaches sent out the bat signal late Tuesday. Will keep you posted. We mentioned that Baylor was in the serious running for Georgia LB Ashton Woods and Tidehaven RB Joseph Dodds. We'll see what happens and let you know what comes down the line.

By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
In the middle of July, the Big 12 will release its preseason All-Conference team with the new members along with the preseason poll. Ballots had to be submitted by Wednesday. Your publisher submitted his and where Baylor stands. The entire ballot won’t be listed. However, here’s it breaks down.

Preseason Poll
1. Texas
2. Kansas State
3. TCU
4. Texas Tech
5. Oklahoma
6. Baylor
7. Kansas
8. UCF
9. Oklahoma State
10. Cincinnati
11. Iowa State
12. BYU
13. West Virginia
14. Houston

The Why: Well, Texas is probably the favorite by default. It’s a very solid team that traditionally has never played up to its capabilities. However, with Oklahoma in transition and TCU expecting to come back to the pack, Texas appears to be the one to get the nod.

Baylor’s selection is pretty fair and likely where you should see them if you’re looking at other magazine preseason polls. With so much turnover on both fronts, QB Blake Shapen coming off a rough season and really no clear answers in the secondary or at wide receiver, you could also consider it to be a generous selection.

However, the four new teams in the league are not expected to be very good. That helps.

Baylor preseason picks
Offense: RB Richard Reese, OL Clark Barrington
Defense: LB Matt Jones, DB Ajani Carter
Newcomer of the Year: WR Ketron Jackson
The Why: Reese is coming off a near 1,000-yard season and there is the thinking he can be equally productive this fall. Although he’s changing positions to center, Barrington may be overlooked. He had a very solid career at BYU.

Jones could be on the verge of becoming that next great Baylor defender. He showed some signs of that. Carter, the transfer from Utah State, creates turnovers. If he performs the way Baylor hopes, those aforementioned secondary concerns disappear.

Gabe Hall may make this team. He was considered but in the end, there are decent number of defensive linemen in the league.

It’s doubtful Jackson wins this preseason nod. That may go to Texas safety and Arkansas transfer Jalen Catalon, Jackson’s former teammate. However, this is the season where Jackson takes the next step.

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By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
You’ll forgive Sterlin Brooks if his head is spinning these days.

The North Crowley 2024 defensive lineman made the express of taking in three official visits over a 10-day period.

Between June 9-18, he went to SMU, TCU and Baylor. This week, he plans to OV at Houston starting on Tuesday followed by a trip to Kansas this coming weekend.

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But Baylor did what it could here to make sure its pitch was right. Where it leads to is anyone’s guess. The Bears need defensive linemen since the only one they have currently committed it China Springs’ Greydon Grimes who is projected as a defensive end.

“They showed up and showed out,’’ Brooks said of Baylor. “The photo shoot was the best. “I felt the love and knowledge there for sure. They defense is very balanced. Coach [Dennis] Johnson said I can be playing DT and DE.’’

Brooks recruitment has really blown up over the last two months. When SMU offered, it was just the beginning of things to come. Now, with these other schools becoming involved it’s a lot for him to process.

He has said that he plans on making a commitment decision on Aug. 20, shortly before the 2023 football season begins. However, he shared with us that he could make his decision earlier.

“I love the defense,’’ Brooks said. “They have a variation of defenses that I can get comfortable in. And it really doesn’t matter if they are going 3-4 or 4-3.’’

But once he returned from Waco, the gravity of all of this hit home. Of course, there’s the euphoria of being treated like royalty. However, there is a reality of making a choice of a school that will be his home for the next several years.

“It’s scary being 17 making a decision that will change your life forever,’’ Brooks said. “I don’t want to make the wrong choice but I want to make the best choice for me.’

Brooks said once his official visits are completed over the weekend, he will take some time to evaluate where he is and what his next move is.

“I got to,’’ he said. “This where I’m going to spend three years of my life building my name, image and legacy. This can’t be no mess ups.’’

Brooks wasn’t evaluated in this current period by the Rivals staff. He is sure to collect one by the end of the next evaluation period over the summer.

By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
Well, Baylor did its part with 2024 linebacker Bo Tate. Now, it will be Oklahoma State’s turn this coming weekend.

The Draper (UT) Corner Canyon defensive stopper finished his official visit over the weekend. Baylor did nothing to disappoint.

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“I loved Baylor,’’ Tate said. “What stood out to me was how they treated each other. They really stand by their “person over player” motto and try to get to know you as a person. I think they could help me be the best on and off the field. Something is special about the culture and it’s something I’ve never experienced before but I’m so grateful for how they’ve treated me!’’

This is a two-team race between the Big 12 rivals Bears and Cowboys. On his visit, Tate got a chance to see a little more inside the workings of the program. He took the summer workouts that included the strength and conditioning program.

Oh, and it didn’t hurt to walk by the football facilities that are getting a facelift and should be ready in the coming years. Tate also spend time with fellow Utah transplant, offensive lineman George Maile. Go to the source as to how things really are.

“I loved the facilities but even more excited for the new facilities getting built!’’ Tate said. “The summer workouts were exciting too. I liked how the strength coach ran the lifting and conditioning. Really exciting stuff.’’

Tate is coming off a very solid season for Corner Canyon. He finished 2022 with 107 stops in nine games. That coupled with 14 TFL and a pick.

Baylor envisions his future similar to what it did with Terrel Bernard. All Bernard did was get selected by the Buffalo Bills in the 2022 NFL draft.

“They see me as a will backer,’’ he said. “They like me very similar to how they used Terrel. Using my speed to make plays.’’

What may help is the relationship with Baylor new linebackers coach Christian Robinson. Robinson came over from Auburn in late December and has settled in with this group as well as establishing recruiting ties.

“We are really close,’’ Tate said. “He has a great personality and that is a reflection with all of the coaches. He thinks I have tremendous talent as well!”

Things can change. But Tate said he plans on making his commitment decision days following his trip to Stillwater, OK.

Rated at 5.7, Tate is the No. 26 rated inside linebacker and the No. 6 recruit in Utah.

By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
It’s recruiting juggling at its finest. While Baylor’s coaching staff is in the midst of hosting official visits for the 2024 class, it’s still allocating the time to build and strengthen bonds for the 2025 class.

This past week the Bears hosted Mansfield Timberview 2025 safety Nathan Tilmon. Baylor and Texas Tech are the only offers to this point. But if you’re going to showcase the school in the summer, there’s plenty of time to do it.

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“The experience was great,’’ Tilmon said. “I got to sit in a position meeting and Coach Pow [Baylor DC Matthew Powledge] showed me how they run their defense. I really loved it. I had a chance to meet [Head coach] Dave Aranda and watch summer workouts.’’

That last name should sound familiar. Tilmon is the younger brother 2021 defensive end Terrell Tilmon who Baylor pursued, eventually signed with Oregon and has since transferred to Texas Tech.

But this is this the time for the younger brother to carve his own path, experience different schools through camps. He brings a definite size appetite at 6-1. And with any safety, he plays physical.

Tilmon started to prove his worth during the Timberwolves run to the Class 5A Division I state quarterfinals in 2022. He finished with 44 stops, 2 TFL, 2 PBUs and an interception. Timberview lost to Longview in the fourth round of the playoffs.

“I would say I’m great at being physical and making tackles,’’ he said, “and will cover anybody if I have to. I spent a lot of time during the offseason and spring football working on perfecting my pass coverage.’’

Tilmon also ran track for the Timberview 4x100 team. It won the regional championship and finished seventh at the state meet in May in Austin.

It’s likely that Tilmon won’t be at Baylor’s camp this coming Saturday. However, he does plan to return to BU when time allows. Don’t surprised to see him on the guest list for home games for the upcoming season.

However, he likes the future of the program especially with the upcoming facilities additions.

“Their new facility they showed how it’s gonna look and that stood out a lot,’’ Tilmon said. “Their defense is going to be salty. I don’t really know how to describe it but I like it.’’

Tillmon does not have a national or state rating by Rivals at this time.

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By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
Baylor's future secondary demands playmakers at the safety position.

The relationship built between Arlington Bowie's Kris Wokomah and the staff continued to strengthen over the last several months.
Login to view embedded media On Wednesday, Wokomah became the seventh member of the 2024 class when he committed to the Bears. He chose the Bears over Texas Tech, SMU, Washington State and several others.

It became clear that Baylor surged to the front following Wokomah's Junior Day visit on Jan. 30.

"What stood out to me was Coach Aranda how he is a great coach/man,'' Wokomah said. "Also got to spend some time with the DC Coach Powledge who is a good people person. I’m excited about the future of Baylor football."

His relationship with the coaching staff began when he attended a June 2022 camp. The instruction and attention to detail stood out to him.

"After being around the coaches & meeting them in person I really like the vibes,'' he said.

A strength for the Volunteer defense, Wokomah finished the 2022 season with 67 total tackles (38 solo) and collected one INT along with 10 PBUs. Bowie returned to the postseason and finished 5-6.

Wokomah is scheduled to take his OV to Baylor June 23-25.

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