By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
Recruiting is weird.
It’s also not very easy to track emotionally when your program has one of the nation’s top recruits – a quarterback no less – and suddenly other major programs start fishing in the same pond.
For one of rare times in the history of Baylor recruiting, the Bears had to withstand a national recruiting battle to hang on to Dripping Springs quarterback and Rivals No. 136 Austin Novosad.
On Monday evening, the slinger announced that he was sticking with the Bears, a little more than seven months after committing to Dave Aranda’s program. This is the second-highest rated QB recruit that Baylor has ever landed. Novosad is behind Jarret Stidham.
Now, that sounds a little awkward that there is big news about a prospect who said he was staying with his original program. But we are reminded in this process of the old adage – verbal commitments are nonbinding.
Baylor has won some very big recruiting battles over the years. However, this one moves to the top of the list because of what it means to the future of the program, a conference that will be in transition with the aspirations that Baylor can emerge as one of the alphas in time.
We credit RGIII for being that transition player that helped Baylor go from afterthought to competitive to conference championship contender.
Obviously, the scandal of 2016 crushed the momentum that had been built from the 2013 and 2014 Big 12 championship teams. The 2021 season proved that Baylor could return from such a devastating period and compete at a high level. Being picked to win the Big 12 in the 2022 preseason media poll isn’t a fluke.
To maintain what 2021 started, a program needs the best of the best.
It is hoped that Novosad will be that next transitional player who helps Dave Aranda’s program be in the yearly conversations for conference titles and be at the top of every college football expert’s mind about competing for a title.
The journey to reach the first day of August’s announcement was the conclusion of two months where nerves frayed, stress built, frustration mounted and confusion surfaced.
Well, folks, this is what it’s like when your program can seriously challenge for the nation’s elite prospects on a yearly basis. This is old hat for the Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, LSU and Clemson fan bases. They know the drill of winning their share and losing their share. But the difference is they know they will get it. Why? Their programs compete at the top of the mountain. Baylor wants to get there.
However, Novosad understood his national appeal. Whether Baylor fans liked it or not, he owed to himself to see what that looked like. It’s no different than if you were looking for jobs and had to decide between two attractive offers. You owe it to yourself to do that.
The summer of consternation started with an Ohio State offer in early June followed by an official visit. Recruiting media started to buzz as to whether the Buckeyes, who were then without a QB commit, could lure him away.
Nope. Plus, the Buckeyes got a QB commitment over the weekend.
Overtures from reigning national champion Georgia made the faithful contemplate whether an offer could change the dynamics of Novosad’s pledge.
That offer never came.
Notre Dame jumped in with an offer in early July. The Irish didn't appear to be a major player. But this is a historic and national brand. Once he took an unofficial visit last Tuesday, it closed the door on the program known for the golden dome.
Then the elephant in the room became a thing: Texas A&M. The offer followed in late June. By now, you know the story of Novosad’s parents being Aggie alums and the pull of Jimbo Fisher taking that program to top national recruiting levels. You know, like winning the recruiting national title for 2022.
Novosad took three unofficial visits to College Station including one this past Friday. And while the Aggies had their reason to sell the program and sell the success along with the promise of what Novosad could to deliver SEC titles and appearances in the College Football Playoff, it appears that it wasn’t enough.
The Aggies are running second in this race.
Credit the relationship started, enhanced and earned by quarterbacks coach Shawn Bell. He’s the one Novosad is going to be working with for the next several years. Developing that trust and working through every nuance of the position can mean the difference between success and failure.
The rest of the coaching staff did its share to make it clear Novosad would make an impact like none of the QBs that had come before him.
Novosad likely understands what his presence means. There’s also some responsibility in his court to make sure that future locker rooms follow him and believe in him. The last thing a program needs is for a QB who doesn’t do that.
We still have 4½ months before the early signing period begins on Dec. 14. Even as Novosad said, “Unless something crazy happens, I’m locked in.”
For now, this is where this recruitment stands. This announcement should energize the coaching staff, his 2023 class teammates, those currently on the Baylor roster and a fan base that can sleep a little better.
Welcome to the national edition of recruiting is weird. If all continues to go right, get used to it.
Publisher
Recruiting is weird.
It’s also not very easy to track emotionally when your program has one of the nation’s top recruits – a quarterback no less – and suddenly other major programs start fishing in the same pond.
For one of rare times in the history of Baylor recruiting, the Bears had to withstand a national recruiting battle to hang on to Dripping Springs quarterback and Rivals No. 136 Austin Novosad.
On Monday evening, the slinger announced that he was sticking with the Bears, a little more than seven months after committing to Dave Aranda’s program. This is the second-highest rated QB recruit that Baylor has ever landed. Novosad is behind Jarret Stidham.
Now, that sounds a little awkward that there is big news about a prospect who said he was staying with his original program. But we are reminded in this process of the old adage – verbal commitments are nonbinding.
Baylor has won some very big recruiting battles over the years. However, this one moves to the top of the list because of what it means to the future of the program, a conference that will be in transition with the aspirations that Baylor can emerge as one of the alphas in time.
We credit RGIII for being that transition player that helped Baylor go from afterthought to competitive to conference championship contender.
Obviously, the scandal of 2016 crushed the momentum that had been built from the 2013 and 2014 Big 12 championship teams. The 2021 season proved that Baylor could return from such a devastating period and compete at a high level. Being picked to win the Big 12 in the 2022 preseason media poll isn’t a fluke.
To maintain what 2021 started, a program needs the best of the best.
It is hoped that Novosad will be that next transitional player who helps Dave Aranda’s program be in the yearly conversations for conference titles and be at the top of every college football expert’s mind about competing for a title.
The journey to reach the first day of August’s announcement was the conclusion of two months where nerves frayed, stress built, frustration mounted and confusion surfaced.
Well, folks, this is what it’s like when your program can seriously challenge for the nation’s elite prospects on a yearly basis. This is old hat for the Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, LSU and Clemson fan bases. They know the drill of winning their share and losing their share. But the difference is they know they will get it. Why? Their programs compete at the top of the mountain. Baylor wants to get there.
However, Novosad understood his national appeal. Whether Baylor fans liked it or not, he owed to himself to see what that looked like. It’s no different than if you were looking for jobs and had to decide between two attractive offers. You owe it to yourself to do that.
The summer of consternation started with an Ohio State offer in early June followed by an official visit. Recruiting media started to buzz as to whether the Buckeyes, who were then without a QB commit, could lure him away.
Nope. Plus, the Buckeyes got a QB commitment over the weekend.
Overtures from reigning national champion Georgia made the faithful contemplate whether an offer could change the dynamics of Novosad’s pledge.
That offer never came.
Notre Dame jumped in with an offer in early July. The Irish didn't appear to be a major player. But this is a historic and national brand. Once he took an unofficial visit last Tuesday, it closed the door on the program known for the golden dome.
Then the elephant in the room became a thing: Texas A&M. The offer followed in late June. By now, you know the story of Novosad’s parents being Aggie alums and the pull of Jimbo Fisher taking that program to top national recruiting levels. You know, like winning the recruiting national title for 2022.
Novosad took three unofficial visits to College Station including one this past Friday. And while the Aggies had their reason to sell the program and sell the success along with the promise of what Novosad could to deliver SEC titles and appearances in the College Football Playoff, it appears that it wasn’t enough.
The Aggies are running second in this race.
Credit the relationship started, enhanced and earned by quarterbacks coach Shawn Bell. He’s the one Novosad is going to be working with for the next several years. Developing that trust and working through every nuance of the position can mean the difference between success and failure.
The rest of the coaching staff did its share to make it clear Novosad would make an impact like none of the QBs that had come before him.
Novosad likely understands what his presence means. There’s also some responsibility in his court to make sure that future locker rooms follow him and believe in him. The last thing a program needs is for a QB who doesn’t do that.
We still have 4½ months before the early signing period begins on Dec. 14. Even as Novosad said, “Unless something crazy happens, I’m locked in.”
For now, this is where this recruitment stands. This announcement should energize the coaching staff, his 2023 class teammates, those currently on the Baylor roster and a fan base that can sleep a little better.
Welcome to the national edition of recruiting is weird. If all continues to go right, get used to it.
