By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
Deuce Adams' recruiting world took that next step earlier this month.

While the 2024 New Braunfels Canyon quarterback had received his share of G5 offers the attention from only those types of programs didn't last for long. Shortly after his attending Baylor’s Jan. 29 Junior Day, his stock jumped.

Not only did the Bears offers, but more P5 offers rolled in between Louisville and Boston College.

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“I loved [Baylor],’’ Adams said about the visit. “I can’t wait to get back to Waco.’’

Maybe Adams was getting the kind of attention that the likes of state quarterbacks Marcos Davila and Trey Owens was early on. But he is now. That’s also going to likely take that next step.

Baylor and Adams – more specifically Baylor quarterbacks coach Shawn Bell – had been talking since last October. A relationship was forming. Offers usually do that.

“All of it,’’ said Adams when about what aspects of his game Bell liked. “He just talked how I fit the system and could play at Baylor. We talk almost every day and it’s been progressing more and more since i went to visit for Junior Day.’’

Adams turned in a tremendous 2022 season at New Braunfels. While he is considered a Pro-Style signal caller, Adams showed he could move when required.

He threw for 3,007 yards, completed nearly 67 percent of his passes with 34 scores against six interceptions. He also rushed for 290 yards and a pair of touchdowns. That followed a pretty solid debut 2021 season where he threw for more than 1,000 yards.

The size to play the position is there at 6-2. There might be another growth spurt in his future.

“I’m working size and speed,’’ Adams said. “My strengths are playmaking and controlling the game.’’

The next step for Baylor and Adams is that return visit. It’s likely going to be during the Bears spring football season. Then it will go to that next level should an official visit be scheduled in the summer.

For now, the process is day by day. Adams is continuing to put himself in a position that Baylor’s offer becomes strong but that perhaps other P5 programs may pursue. Actions will speak louder than words.

“Nothing really,’’ said Adams when asked about what else he was looking to learn about Baylor. “Just want to play football.’’

While he currently rated at three stars and a 5.6, the next round of Rivals rankings could see a change for the better.


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Obviously, I didn't watch this game, saw a couple of updates and am passing this along. But from judging by the updates, Baylor blew this.

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By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
Baylor's 2024 class added length and physicality to its defense early Thursday morning when Lumberton linebacker Brock Jackson announced on Twitter he had committed.

Jackson chose the Bears over Texas Tech, Houston, Colorado, Missouri and Arkansas. He is the third commit to the class joining The Woodlands offensive lineman Koltin Sieracki and Lorena wide receiver Jadon Porter.
Login to view embedded media A multiple visitor to Baylor, Jackson attended Baylor's Junior Day on Jan. 29. With his 6-4 frame, Baylor coaches had told him they like him at the Jack position, the hybrid edge/outside linebacker. He's developed a tight relationship with Baylor outside linebackers coach Caleb Collins.

"I thought it was amazing because that’s always been my dream position,'' Jackson said back in fall. "I am very explosive off the Edge and I can drop in the flats is needed.

"My strengths are pass rushing and reading the run game. The things I'm working on are reading the QB’s eyes and dropping into passes."

During the 2022 season, Jackson collected 55 tackles along with 4.5 sacks. He recovered two fumbles and forced a third.

Rivals rates Jackson as the No. 21 outside linebacker in the country.
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The basketball team enters the conference regular season home stretch, Galvin and Apu head to the NFL combine, and the 2024 quarterback dating game continues. Hear it all from the man, himself.



Came in at 26:15

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By SicEmSports
Maybe it was more of a grind than it needed to be. But the idea is to have more.

For the 6th time this season the Bears had multiple players reach 20 points. Keyonte George went for 23, while Adam Flagler poured in 20 as the Bears became part of a 4-way tie for second in the Big 12 with Kansas, Iowa State and Kansas State with their win over the Sooners at the Ferrell Center. Baylor has won eight of its last nine.

Baylor nearly had a third 20-point scorer as Langston Love finished with 19. They also took care of the ball with just seven turnovers. That's been a stretch of the last eight games where the Bears have turned it over 12 or fewer times.

However, the Sooners wouldn't make it easy. In fact, they used a 6-0 run in the second half to take a 48-47 lead. However, the Bears answered with a 6-0 run to reclaim it at 53-48 and never relinquished it.

Yet the Sooners would make big buckets to keep it a two-possession game for most of the night. Grant Sherfield was 4-8 from the arc and finished with 15. What hurt them was the little mistakes as they committed 14 turnovers and 6-12 at the foul line. That offset a 49 percent shooting performance.

Baylor finally finished this inside the final two minutes thanks to four George free throws. George's game was interesting. He made two quick 3s to start the game and then missed his final six. However, he was really good going to the basket and picking up several "and ones". He was 5-7 at the line.

Love, slow to come back from his thigh contusion that kept him out of the Texas game, was 7-9 from the field. Flager also wasn't great from the arc (2-8) but he did his work elsewhere as he was 6-6 at the line.

Baylor travels to No. 17 TCU Saturday for 3:00 p.m. start. The Horned Frogs won the first meeting on Charles O'Bannon jumper in the final seconds, 88-87. TCU has lost three of its last four and has been without Big 12 preseason player of the year Mike Miles since the Jan. 28 loss at Mississippi State. Miles suffered a hyperextended knee.

Postgame Quotes

Scott Drew
It’s a typical Big 12 game, hard fought. Coming in, I knew we were going to get OU’s A game. Same team that was up 21 with 1:30 or something to go against Alabama. Porter’s a great coach. You knew they’d be motivated, excited to play. When you come off a game with so much emotion with Jon coming back, we played so well in that second half. I was worried. When we lost LJ for second half, Caleb was battling something as well. Guys stepped up.

(Came out hot offensively) We came out hot, but the defense didn’t come out hot. They run great stuff, they got a good offense, but we did a bad job keeping them out of the paint. We were trading baskets rather than getting stops. Against Texas Tech when were getting separation we were getting stops. The times when we got on a run we got stops. They really did a great job executing, they had great pace to what they did. When you’re coming out strong offensively, you got to come out strong defensively as well.

(Moving with a game of first place) Getting a win is all that matters in the Big 12. So good, bad, ugly, you can play well and get losses in this league. Winning is what matters most. It was great. The crowd tonight we needed that energy. I know the student section was tremendous. But again that’s also why the pavilion is going to be nice on weekend games like this. It’s a sellout, the place is rocking, that’s another five points.

(Langston) Langston was really efficient, everything but the free throw line. Other than that, he really stepped up and did a great job today. That’s why you’ve got to have depth because every day is not your day.

(Will be LJ be ready to play against TCU) Hopefully. It’s something with his foot.

Keyonte George
(Won the turnover battle again) Coach Drew has done a good job of enforcing taking care of the ball. Y’all have seen early on we were turning the ball over and giving up points in transition. First we emphasized getting back and now we’re emphasizing playing on two feet with two hands. Stay ball strong and look for your teammates then. It starts in practice and now the results are showing on the camera and in the games. It’s cool to see that finally coming all together.

Baylor BASEBALL will have at least '46' games on TV this 2023 season. Some will be ON Nationally
TV, while the most games will on the Big 12 Network which is on ESPN PLUS.....So, if you
are a BAYLOR Baseball fan and have time to watch a game or more, you can view them now.
And always Sic 'em Bears........

Dates are Feb. 28-March 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Fewer number than I think the seven who went in 2022. Doesn't mean the likes of Dillon Doyle and others trying to make the NFL are over. But it does make it tougher for them.

Story Link

Mentioned in the Baylor FB schedule story that there were reports the two and the Big 12 were trying to find a way for this to end in 2024. Didn't happen.

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Couple of them:

1 - How long until the UT QB room blows up with Ewers and Manning ?

2 - How many QB's get to play for Baylor in the Long Island game ?

By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
With Baylor adding so many new pieces to the 2023 football roster through the NCAA transfer portal, SicEmSports provides a daily series of breaking down each of these new members and how they fit into the program moving forward.

Jake Roberts
Pos.: TE
School: UNT
Ht./Wt.: 6-5, 250
Remaining Eligibility: 2 years

What he brings: Length, sure hands and an understanding of how tight ends can be threats in an offense is why Roberts has the potential to be a fit for this Baylor offense. It hasn’t been unusual for offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes to go with three in one set. But he wants one to be the leading pass catcher. Roberts offers a track record of being reliable. During the 2022 season, he had 28 receptions for 394 yards and three scores. For a tight end to average 14 yards per catch – they’re typically in the 10-11 range – there is some athleticism involved.

What are the concerns: All of this was accomplished against a G5 schedule from Conference USA where the caliber of opponent for that level was good but far different from what Roberts will encounter in the Big 12 schedule. That schedule is also going to involve reigning two-time PAC 12 champion Utah. North Texas did not face a P5 team in 2022. It’s going to be a matter of being stronger, quicker and more physical than the way he played in Denton. That’s just the reality for any G5 player moving up to P5. The speed is also different. Much different.

How he helps the room: Baylor has a young room of tight ends who won’t be ready. The ones who should be are Drake Dabney who is returning from a broken leg suffered against Texas Tech in late October. Dabney had shown signs of being a good pass catcher and physical blocker. Then there’s sophomore Kelsey Johnson who played in 10 games and made four starts with nine receptions. Walk on Gavin Yates has been used in special situations. Roberts serves as a bridge for youngsters Cody Mladenka who redshirted along with 2023 signees and January arrivals Hawkins Polley and Matthew Klopfenstein.

2023 Expectations: With Ben Sims now graduated, it’s thought that Roberts can slide into that role and be a performer in the passing game and be physical enough to chip that oncoming defensive end or pick up the linebacker or safety coming off the edge on a blitz. Roberts has all of the tools that Sims had. That first game against Texas State should be a good way to ease him into the system. Utah will be a test of where he is and what adjustments he needs to make.

By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
There’s always room for one more when it comes to Baylor’s tight end room.

But speaking of rooms, the one Baylor is in for 2024 tight end Dillon Hipp is a bit crowded.

The Scottsdale (AZ) Desert Mountain prospect made good on his word to travel to Baylor’s Jan. 29 Junior Day to see for himself why fellow Arizonian tight end Matthew Klopfenstein decided to call Baylor home and enrolled in January.

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Now, Hipp understands why this offense appeals to tight ends.

“I learned how much they used the TE for sure.,’’ he said. “The majority of snaps there are two or three TEs on the field. That’s what really intrigues me the most about Baylor. The multiplicity and complexity of their offense is what really makes it beneficial for a TE to get open and have chances to make explosive plays.’’

But the program’s attention to the future also has Hipp’s attention. Baylor will be adding the Fudge Football Operations Center that will be adjacent to the Allison Indoor Practice facility.

“When I found out they were building new facilities that’s what really got me excited,’’ he said.

Hipp has developed a relationship with the Baylor coaching staff pretty much since the staff offered in 2022. There have been multiple visits from offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes during the contact periods in December and January.

Of course, Baylor just added North Texas transfer Jake Roberts who has two years of eligibility. There are five other tight ends on the current roster. But given the program’s emphasis on this position and what it means to future offenses, the search will always continue.

Hipp delivered as a pass catching threat for the Wolves who finished 10-3 in 2022. He had 28 receptions for 328 yards and four touchdowns (11.7 ypc).

“I’ve pretty much narrowed my list down to eight schools as of right now,’’ Hipp said. “I pretty much went up there just to check it out and spend time with my friends who came alongside me. Other schools that I have a large interest in is Louisville, Miami, Wisconsin, ASU, Tennessee, Washington and Auburn.’’

For this period of the offseason, it’s going to be more about continuing to build relationships and possibly narrowing the list. For now, Baylor appears to have put itself in a solid position.

“I think the next time I’ll be in Waco will be for my OV,’’ Hipp said. “I say that because there are other schools that I’m still interested in checking out.’’

Hipp is the No. 8 player rated in Arizona by Rivals.

Split with Texas and Texas Tech last week. That’s why they drop three spots.

The women are still not ranked even Though they won at Iowa State.

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Keeping you up to date on a couple...

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Baylor extended this one shortly after it lost out on Walker White. I kinda know him.
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He came over to Junior Day
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Fort Bend Marshall 2024 S Joshua Lair
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By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
A day of great anticipation finished with great celebration.

For an absence of 357 days following a devastating knee injury against Texas on Feb. 12, 2022, Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua returned and delivered eight points and the sellout crowd at the Ferrell Center crowd rejoiced in Baylor's blowout win over Texas Tech. The Bears swept the season series from the Red Raiders and have won eight of the last 11 meetings.

Everyday Jon drilled two 2 3-pointers - the first that pretty much tore the roof off the home building - and then a layup from a beautiful feed from Langston Love.

This is exactly the way head coach Scott Drew envisioned this season with this team playing. Shoot a solid percentage from both inside and outside the arc. Take care of the basketball. Frustrate the opposition.

West Virginia transfer Jalen Bridges, who has been in double figures in all but one Big 12 game, got hot from the arc with two deep ones and led the Bears with 18 points. One-and-done Keyonte George kept to his season average with 17. Adam Flagler added 13.

The Bears broke from a spell where they had been in 30s for the past three games. They finished 53.8 percent and 41.7 percent from the arc. They only turned it over eight times.

A tight game at the half, Tech closed to 38-36 in the opening seconds. That was it. Baylor stretched this game into double figures with a 16-4 run and never looked back.

Baylor stays at the Ferrell Center on Wednesday and will play Oklahoma.

Postgame Quotes

Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua

It was amazing just to get a chance to play in front of this crowd after 355 days. I’ve been counting the days. It was just surreal. I remember praying in my bedroom last night, just crying about all the trials that I’ve been going through and realizing the day is actually here. I’m actually playing. I feel like it was a miracle for me to even be out here. I don’t know if this is public, but I was not supposed to be back this early. God just blessed me all the time and made my body strong and fast and made me come back from the injury.

(How did you keep your hopes up) I just used my faith and my girlfriend and the coaching staff because I didn’t want to listen to anything negative about my injury. I only took in positive energy, things like you’re going to play this year, you’re not going to stay out for two years, you’re going to be back for practice. You’re going to get better. I just thought about positive stuff and getting better every day.

(How many surgeries) I had two surgeries with different ligaments.

(Emotions when you first came in) To be honest with you, I don’t think I heard my name because the gym was just so loud. Like from the time coach told me to first get in, it was so loud that I couldn’t hear anything. It felt unreal at that moment, and I was just thanking God for putting me in that position and giving me his platform.

(Hitting first 3) It was fun. It was just another shot I’ve been working on. I feel like God allowed me to have extra time to work on my game and I used it.

(Putting emotions aside to play game) It’s funny because I just tried to take in my emotions the day before. I thought about and prayed about it and thanked God for it. I prayed before the game and after warmup. I wanted to showcase for the world that the Lord can make a miracle. We’re nothing without him and gave me the confidence that I was able to play knowing that I’m solid.

(What made this the right time to play) I prayed about it a lot. I’ve had little mental battles with it. At the end of the day, nobody would expect me to be the same player and I had some mental battles. In a way, I was thinking maybe I’m not good enough because I was comparing myself to my old self and maybe I’m a different player. But at the end of the day, I came back from a really bad injury and I’m using the grace to help me and it took me such much time to embrace that and move on and just pray about it, and praying to God to show me what was the right decision to make. The closer I got to this day, the more excited I was about it. I was excited to just go out there.


Jalen Bridges
(What did it mean to the team for Jon to be back) I feel like it’s everything. Ever since this summer, he’s the hardest worker. He’s doing something, he’s in the gym almost all day. Every time I come in the gym, I see Jon. He’s a huge part of our team. Even when he wasn’t playing, he was leading. He’s our best leader, and now to have him back out there with us it’s everything. He’s the heart of our team.

(Defense picked up with Jon) He’s out there, he’s vocal, he’s talking to everybody. He’s not just worried about guarding his own man, he’s the anchor of our defense. So it helps a lot when he’s out here.

(Second half) It was a close game at halftime and we came out and wanted to get some stops defensively. The Culture of Joy really showed. We were sharing the ball and not worrying about ourselves. We were making good passes to open cutters and getting one more for 3s. We were out there jelling, so when it gets like that it’s hard to stop.

Sounds like the Bears are the third team in this 3-team race. But we'll see. Rivals regional analyst Nick Harris has his pick in for Clemson.

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Only expecting 1…if there’s a surprise, we’ll let you know. Kelly signing late this morning at a school ceremony.
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By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
Baylor and Oklahoma recruiting battles haven’t been uncommon over the years. But the involving Forney 2024 safety Aaron Flowers takes on a different persona.

The Rivals No. 196 prospect spent last week taking both junior days at Oklahoma and Baylor. He went to Norman, OK and then Waco on Sunday.

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Relationships between Flowers and both staffs continue to grow. This is between these two and no one else.

“I learned that in Baylor they were sure to be truthful,’’ Flowers said, “and not do that sugar coating and just be their true selves.’’

Baylor has been in pursuit of Flowers for about a year. Besides last Sunday, he’s been to the campus numerous times for camps, practices and games. He knows the program. He and defensive backs coach Kevin Curtis have reached a point where they can finish each other’s sentences.

That was never more the case than when the Baylor coaches were out in December during the early part of the evaluation period. Curtis stopped by to check out a Flowers offseason workout.

“I like the way he coaches and carries himself,’’ Flowers said. “He probably has the strongest relationship with me. It was nice to see him again. He talked to me about how Baylor wants me, and it’ll be a great program.”

Forney handled the transition to Class 5A Division I pretty well in 2022. The Jack Rabbits finished 7-4 and advanced to the Region II bi-district round of the playoffs before falling to Barbers Hill.

Flowers emerged as one of the leaders for this defense. He finished third in total tackles with 51 (but second in solos with 39) and was a menace in the secondary with six PBUs and a pair of interceptions. Flowers also forced a couple of fumbles.

While it likely was brought up from the staff last Sunday about pulling the trigger, the Baylor staff knows it needs to read the room on this recruitment effort and continue to make it clear Flowers is one of the top priorities of the 2024 class.

For his part, Flowers is not in a hurry. At least, he’s not at this time. When he knows it, he will know it.

“I just evaluate by seeing how my personality fits in the program,’’ he said, “and how much the coaches show interest in me.’’

Rated the No. 17 player at his position, Flowers is also the No. 27 player in Texas according to Rivals.

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Pulled up to Phoenix Suns Active Roster and is getting limited minutes. He is 28, so this is perserverance!

The new Big 12 Schedule is out!

We cover that, the second half of the Big 12 basketball schedule, and finish up on the Baylor class of 2023 in recruiting.



Came in at 27:23

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Baylor emerges as a favorite following his weekend visit:

By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
Baylor held its Junior Day this past Sunday as high-valued targets checked out the program. For some of the 2024s and 2025s, it was the first time. For others, it was another chance to interact with the coaches, take in the ambiance of the program and discover something that they may not have known from previous visits.

On Tuesday, Baylor added to the 2024 class when The Woodlands offensive lineman Koltin Sieracki announced his commitment. He's the second member of that class. Baylor was pretty much the leader ever since Sieracki's older brother Kaden signed with the 2023 class. The Bears beat out Nebraska, Kansas, Houston, SMU, TCU and Texas Tech.

In this edition, prospects shared what they thought about the event and where Baylor stands at this point.

Login to view embedded media "The Baylor visit was great! Got to spend some time with the coaches and they family. What stood out to me was Coach Aranda how he is a great coach/man. 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."

Login to view embedded media "It went great at Baylor! I always enjoy getting to see the staff. I would say the thing that stood out the most was the attitudes and the way the coaches engaged everyone. There staff is second to none when it comes to building relationships."

Login to view embedded media "It went great! Something that stood out to me was how genuine the coaches and staff were. Everyone has been great from the other times I've visited.''

Login to view embedded media "It went good. Got to build stronger relationships with the staff. I came up there in the summer and camped and got around the coach’s a little and this trip gave me a better look on everything in Waco.''

Login to view embedded media "It went great like it always does. I still love coming here.''