By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
Baylor fall camp 2022 begins Friday afternoon. The pursuit of a second consecutive Big 12 championship – 4th overall – is the goal. Anything beyond will be whatever else happens in college football.
The story lines for the Bears are widely known:
>As the starting quarterback, Blake Shapen needs to prove that the coaches’ decision to go with him must be validated.
>A young group of wide receivers and running backs have to grow up quickly and demonstrate that their talent level will emerge into the playmakers most believe they can be.
>Questions in the secondary will need some time to process new assignments and challenges along with hoping an experienced defensive line can give them the time to mature.
Expectations are high thanks the experience returning on both the offensive and defensive lines. However, this is the camp where some new faces can establish themselves and become woven into the fabric of a championship contending team.
SicEmSports takes a look at the Top 5 candidates who can do that and why.
Lorando Johnson, S, 6-0, 193, Soph.
2021 Season: 4 total tackles, 0.5 sack
Making the case: Nicknamed Snaxx, Johnson worked his way into the rotation in 2021 and would sub for Jalen Pitre. Although he missed some time due to injury, Snaxx handled himself accordingly. While he is dubbed as the heir apparent for the Star, that may not be totally the case. When he came to Baylor, the staff liked him at cornerback. There has been some thought about whether to keep him at Star or move him to the back and bring in someone like Al Walcott or Devin Lemear who is also coming off a great spring. This is going to be a case of making sure that wherever he settles, he becomes really locked in. The good thing is that he has the talent and flexibility to do either.
Will Williams, LB, 6-2, 211, Jr.
2021 Season: 7 total tackles
Making the case: Another player who is coming off a strong spring and could figure into the rotation in 2022. While the starting linebacker corps appears to be set with Matt Jones taking Terrel Bernard’s spot at WLB, Dillon Doyle staying in the middle and Garmon Randolph on the other side, there is the opportunity for Williams to push the veterans and perhaps be that fourth or fifth linebacker. That would be a compliment to him. His instincts went next level during spring camp. He can play either side because he runs so well laterally. Williams’ ceiling still has a ways to go.
Craig Williams, RB, 5-9, 168, Jr.
2021 Season: Rushing: 4-15
Making the case: It seems a little strange for a known name to be in this discussion. However, given his injury history and the fact he was limited in 2021 and not much a factor, this is like Sqwirl getting another chance. The Baylor running game has a plan and Williams needs to be a part of it. There’s no telling if he would be one of the signature or complimentary parts. However, he needs to be in there. Should he be all the way back – and there was nothing to suggest from the spring game that wasn’t the case – it will go a long way. He would be a smaller version of Trestan Ebner. Still, Sqwirl’s elusiveness and finishing speed will be important. Any running back working behind this like will get a chance. Williams will.
Tony Anyanwu, LB, 6-2, 243, Soph.
2021 Season: Did not play
Making the case: While the Bears celebrated much in 2021, Anyanwu could not. He was just a spectator. He missed the season with a broken ankle. What’s interesting is that had he been healthy, Baylor’s defense might have been all the more stifling. Anyanwu was coming off an impressive spring. There are high hopes that he can be a fixture in both the linebacker and defensive line. The Jack could be the fit for him as he plays behind Randolph. While it might be secondary, he could move up to the front and either stand up and play with a hand on the ground. Now, Anyanwu is built more like a linebacker. But his physicality makes him a possibility is hi ally. You can be sure, he’s eager to get out there.
Gavin Holmes, WR, 5-11, 200, 6th
2021 Season: Did not play
Making the case: Holmes is like one of those one-liners. He’s so old. How old is he? But the reality is his determination to bounce back from two torn ACLs and other ailments is an example for many others in that wide receiver corps to follow. There needs to be a veteran presence with a group that does not have one. Do not expect Holmes to be among the top pass catchers for this offense. If he collects 15-20 receptions in 2021, that would be enough of a contribution. If it’s more or less, it would be a matter of what other circumstances developed during the season. What he can do is continue to set the tone with the work habits, discipline and communication.
Publisher
Baylor fall camp 2022 begins Friday afternoon. The pursuit of a second consecutive Big 12 championship – 4th overall – is the goal. Anything beyond will be whatever else happens in college football.
The story lines for the Bears are widely known:
>As the starting quarterback, Blake Shapen needs to prove that the coaches’ decision to go with him must be validated.
>A young group of wide receivers and running backs have to grow up quickly and demonstrate that their talent level will emerge into the playmakers most believe they can be.
>Questions in the secondary will need some time to process new assignments and challenges along with hoping an experienced defensive line can give them the time to mature.
Expectations are high thanks the experience returning on both the offensive and defensive lines. However, this is the camp where some new faces can establish themselves and become woven into the fabric of a championship contending team.
SicEmSports takes a look at the Top 5 candidates who can do that and why.
Lorando Johnson, S, 6-0, 193, Soph.
2021 Season: 4 total tackles, 0.5 sack
Making the case: Nicknamed Snaxx, Johnson worked his way into the rotation in 2021 and would sub for Jalen Pitre. Although he missed some time due to injury, Snaxx handled himself accordingly. While he is dubbed as the heir apparent for the Star, that may not be totally the case. When he came to Baylor, the staff liked him at cornerback. There has been some thought about whether to keep him at Star or move him to the back and bring in someone like Al Walcott or Devin Lemear who is also coming off a great spring. This is going to be a case of making sure that wherever he settles, he becomes really locked in. The good thing is that he has the talent and flexibility to do either.
Will Williams, LB, 6-2, 211, Jr.
2021 Season: 7 total tackles
Making the case: Another player who is coming off a strong spring and could figure into the rotation in 2022. While the starting linebacker corps appears to be set with Matt Jones taking Terrel Bernard’s spot at WLB, Dillon Doyle staying in the middle and Garmon Randolph on the other side, there is the opportunity for Williams to push the veterans and perhaps be that fourth or fifth linebacker. That would be a compliment to him. His instincts went next level during spring camp. He can play either side because he runs so well laterally. Williams’ ceiling still has a ways to go.
Craig Williams, RB, 5-9, 168, Jr.
2021 Season: Rushing: 4-15
Making the case: It seems a little strange for a known name to be in this discussion. However, given his injury history and the fact he was limited in 2021 and not much a factor, this is like Sqwirl getting another chance. The Baylor running game has a plan and Williams needs to be a part of it. There’s no telling if he would be one of the signature or complimentary parts. However, he needs to be in there. Should he be all the way back – and there was nothing to suggest from the spring game that wasn’t the case – it will go a long way. He would be a smaller version of Trestan Ebner. Still, Sqwirl’s elusiveness and finishing speed will be important. Any running back working behind this like will get a chance. Williams will.
Tony Anyanwu, LB, 6-2, 243, Soph.
2021 Season: Did not play
Making the case: While the Bears celebrated much in 2021, Anyanwu could not. He was just a spectator. He missed the season with a broken ankle. What’s interesting is that had he been healthy, Baylor’s defense might have been all the more stifling. Anyanwu was coming off an impressive spring. There are high hopes that he can be a fixture in both the linebacker and defensive line. The Jack could be the fit for him as he plays behind Randolph. While it might be secondary, he could move up to the front and either stand up and play with a hand on the ground. Now, Anyanwu is built more like a linebacker. But his physicality makes him a possibility is hi ally. You can be sure, he’s eager to get out there.
Gavin Holmes, WR, 5-11, 200, 6th
2021 Season: Did not play
Making the case: Holmes is like one of those one-liners. He’s so old. How old is he? But the reality is his determination to bounce back from two torn ACLs and other ailments is an example for many others in that wide receiver corps to follow. There needs to be a veteran presence with a group that does not have one. Do not expect Holmes to be among the top pass catchers for this offense. If he collects 15-20 receptions in 2021, that would be enough of a contribution. If it’s more or less, it would be a matter of what other circumstances developed during the season. What he can do is continue to set the tone with the work habits, discipline and communication.
