By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
The Grant Delpit way
When he talked to Baylor head coach Dave Aranda recently, Manor 2021 safety Devin Lemear probably heard more than he expected.
“It went great!’’ Lemear said. “He let me know I am a top priority and he wants to use me in a Grant Delpit kind of role in the defense. Just in the way he feels i’m versatile and can do many things. I’m definitely top priority for those guys!’’
Aranda should know. He coached Delpit, the LSU safety who is projected to go in the first round of the upcoming NFL draft. It is high praise. But it’s something Lemear doesn’t let intimidate him.
“Well I’m going to do what Grant was doing , but better!’’ Lemear said. “I have never been the type to settle for second.’’
Since he de-committed from TCU on April 2 – he said he just wasn’t ready to close his recruitment down – Baylor’s staff has made a strong impression on the rising 3-star. He has been talking with safeties coach Matthew Powledge and defensive coordinator Ron Roberts among others.
He hasn’t been to Baylor yet. That first visit will come in time. Baylor has had to make do with sending him videos on the athletic facilities throughout the campus.
“Coach Powledge is a great guy, we text every day and I feel like we’ve built up a great relationship,’’ Lemear said. “He really seems like a good person who can teach me not only football, but life as well.
“They think I’m important because of my cover skills, tackling ability, and natural instincts to get the ball from the offense.’’
Lemear dealt with shoulder injury in 2019 and missed several weeks of the season. But when he was healthy, he was taking the ball away from the offense with three interceptions and three forced fumbles.
Then there’s the speed factor. That checks the box. Lemear clocked at the TCU camp at 4.48.
“I feel like I have great cover skills, a vocal leader of the defense, love to tackle,’’ he said. “I would say I need more man cover film because my defense didn’t necessarily put me in that spot a lot. But I’m very confident in my man coverage skills.’’
Lemear plans to visit Baylor when the all clear is given.
“The main things I want to know are going to be the kind of environment it is up there,’’ he said. “The in-person relationships I have with the coaches, and just getting to see around and see all of the things that have built up there to this point.’’
JUCO DT with a decision
Jones County (MS) Junior College defensive end Jalen Williams is just starting to get to know Baylor’s coaching staff.
But there is no doubt that he’s a P5 player. Witness Baylor’s offer along with Arkansas and Ole Miss and likely others to follow. Williams has been talking with Defensive Line coach Dennis “Meatball” Johnson and defensive coordinator Ron Roberts.
“This is just the beginning,’’ Williams said, “but I'll definitely be looking more into them.’’
But there’s a catch. With one year of JUCO ball behind him, Williams said he could commit to a program now, sign with it in the summer and enroll in time for the upcoming season. With the unknowns about the COVID-19 virus and when shelter in place orders would be lifted, he isn’t sure what his plans are at this time.
If those plans transition to Williams leaving JUCO and possibly coming to Baylor, it would definitely be a lift for a defense that needs an influx of activity at DE.
“They said they like how physical I am and that how I could be talented enough to be very versatile in the defense,’’ Williams said. “I think I'm pretty physical and I hustle. I gotta work on my pass rush.’’
In six starts for Jones County, Williams collected 28 tackles including four tackles for loss and a sack. Regardless of his arrival time, Baylor has made it clear that it intends to be in this recruitment race for the duration.
“Yes sir, they've given me videos and other things,’’ he said. “I really just like the campus as a whole. It's all very nice.’’
What you see is not what you get
He’s listed as a QB on the Wichita Falls Rider roster. He’s listed as a QB on Rivals database.
And Baylor sees him as a linebacker possibly playing the middle. Don’t be shocked about 2021 Raider standout Jacob Rodriguez and what Baylor sees. Other programs recruiting him feel the same.
“It’s just something new,’’ Rodriguez said. “I play safety as well and they think I can be a great linebacker with them. I think they may try me in some spots. But I think it’s the middle linebacker spot.’’
Rodriguez is one of those tweener type of recruits. His offers range from high G5 programs to some P5 offers. Indiana, Iowa State, Virginia and Texas Tech are those who have offered.
One of the attributes Rodriguez carries is leadership. He directed the Raiders to the 2019 Class 5A Division II state quarterfinals.
“I think I’m one who can process things quickly, shows leadership and is athleticism,’’ he said. “Maybe some think I’m undersized and new to the position. But those are things I can work on to get better at.’’
Like most recruits these days, since the recruiting dead period is in place through May 31, all Baylor can do is send videos. The good news is that Rodriguez already attended a couple of summer camps in previous seasons. He has an idea of what the campus is.
And he’s a little stronger than may be some can believe. He maxes in the squat and 290 in the bench. His speed works at 4.6 in the 40-yard dash.
“I just want to get to know how the people are,’’ Rodriguez said. “They told me they were excited about the passion I play with. They could see it off the tape.’’
Crowded room
Baylor’s chances for Flower Mound Marcus 2021 QB Garrett Nussmeier may be a bit cloudy now.
However, the Bears were able to win a little victory when they got him to visit for their March 1 Junior Day. The Rivals No. 87 recruit is heavily forecasted to wind up committing to LSU.
But the Bears are trying to stay in this. One thing that helped at the Junior Day was the time Nussmeier spend with Baylor offensive coordinator/QB coach Larry Fedora.
“It was kind of chill day, but it had a great feel to it,’’ Nussmeier said. “It’s a really coo place with really coo people. Mainly the new coaching staff was a big deal for me. I’m comfortable with those guys. [Fedora] is a great coach that knows a lot about football.
Son of Dallas Cowboys QB coach Doug Nussmeier, Nussmeier is scheduled to make his commitment decision on April 18. He has also visited TCU.
Publisher
The Grant Delpit way
When he talked to Baylor head coach Dave Aranda recently, Manor 2021 safety Devin Lemear probably heard more than he expected.
“It went great!’’ Lemear said. “He let me know I am a top priority and he wants to use me in a Grant Delpit kind of role in the defense. Just in the way he feels i’m versatile and can do many things. I’m definitely top priority for those guys!’’
Aranda should know. He coached Delpit, the LSU safety who is projected to go in the first round of the upcoming NFL draft. It is high praise. But it’s something Lemear doesn’t let intimidate him.
“Well I’m going to do what Grant was doing , but better!’’ Lemear said. “I have never been the type to settle for second.’’
Since he de-committed from TCU on April 2 – he said he just wasn’t ready to close his recruitment down – Baylor’s staff has made a strong impression on the rising 3-star. He has been talking with safeties coach Matthew Powledge and defensive coordinator Ron Roberts among others.
He hasn’t been to Baylor yet. That first visit will come in time. Baylor has had to make do with sending him videos on the athletic facilities throughout the campus.
“Coach Powledge is a great guy, we text every day and I feel like we’ve built up a great relationship,’’ Lemear said. “He really seems like a good person who can teach me not only football, but life as well.
“They think I’m important because of my cover skills, tackling ability, and natural instincts to get the ball from the offense.’’
Lemear dealt with shoulder injury in 2019 and missed several weeks of the season. But when he was healthy, he was taking the ball away from the offense with three interceptions and three forced fumbles.
Then there’s the speed factor. That checks the box. Lemear clocked at the TCU camp at 4.48.
“I feel like I have great cover skills, a vocal leader of the defense, love to tackle,’’ he said. “I would say I need more man cover film because my defense didn’t necessarily put me in that spot a lot. But I’m very confident in my man coverage skills.’’
Lemear plans to visit Baylor when the all clear is given.
“The main things I want to know are going to be the kind of environment it is up there,’’ he said. “The in-person relationships I have with the coaches, and just getting to see around and see all of the things that have built up there to this point.’’
JUCO DT with a decision
Jones County (MS) Junior College defensive end Jalen Williams is just starting to get to know Baylor’s coaching staff.
But there is no doubt that he’s a P5 player. Witness Baylor’s offer along with Arkansas and Ole Miss and likely others to follow. Williams has been talking with Defensive Line coach Dennis “Meatball” Johnson and defensive coordinator Ron Roberts.
“This is just the beginning,’’ Williams said, “but I'll definitely be looking more into them.’’
But there’s a catch. With one year of JUCO ball behind him, Williams said he could commit to a program now, sign with it in the summer and enroll in time for the upcoming season. With the unknowns about the COVID-19 virus and when shelter in place orders would be lifted, he isn’t sure what his plans are at this time.
If those plans transition to Williams leaving JUCO and possibly coming to Baylor, it would definitely be a lift for a defense that needs an influx of activity at DE.
“They said they like how physical I am and that how I could be talented enough to be very versatile in the defense,’’ Williams said. “I think I'm pretty physical and I hustle. I gotta work on my pass rush.’’
In six starts for Jones County, Williams collected 28 tackles including four tackles for loss and a sack. Regardless of his arrival time, Baylor has made it clear that it intends to be in this recruitment race for the duration.
“Yes sir, they've given me videos and other things,’’ he said. “I really just like the campus as a whole. It's all very nice.’’
What you see is not what you get
He’s listed as a QB on the Wichita Falls Rider roster. He’s listed as a QB on Rivals database.
And Baylor sees him as a linebacker possibly playing the middle. Don’t be shocked about 2021 Raider standout Jacob Rodriguez and what Baylor sees. Other programs recruiting him feel the same.
“It’s just something new,’’ Rodriguez said. “I play safety as well and they think I can be a great linebacker with them. I think they may try me in some spots. But I think it’s the middle linebacker spot.’’
Rodriguez is one of those tweener type of recruits. His offers range from high G5 programs to some P5 offers. Indiana, Iowa State, Virginia and Texas Tech are those who have offered.
One of the attributes Rodriguez carries is leadership. He directed the Raiders to the 2019 Class 5A Division II state quarterfinals.
“I think I’m one who can process things quickly, shows leadership and is athleticism,’’ he said. “Maybe some think I’m undersized and new to the position. But those are things I can work on to get better at.’’
Like most recruits these days, since the recruiting dead period is in place through May 31, all Baylor can do is send videos. The good news is that Rodriguez already attended a couple of summer camps in previous seasons. He has an idea of what the campus is.
And he’s a little stronger than may be some can believe. He maxes in the squat and 290 in the bench. His speed works at 4.6 in the 40-yard dash.
“I just want to get to know how the people are,’’ Rodriguez said. “They told me they were excited about the passion I play with. They could see it off the tape.’’
Crowded room
Baylor’s chances for Flower Mound Marcus 2021 QB Garrett Nussmeier may be a bit cloudy now.
However, the Bears were able to win a little victory when they got him to visit for their March 1 Junior Day. The Rivals No. 87 recruit is heavily forecasted to wind up committing to LSU.
But the Bears are trying to stay in this. One thing that helped at the Junior Day was the time Nussmeier spend with Baylor offensive coordinator/QB coach Larry Fedora.
“It was kind of chill day, but it had a great feel to it,’’ Nussmeier said. “It’s a really coo place with really coo people. Mainly the new coaching staff was a big deal for me. I’m comfortable with those guys. [Fedora] is a great coach that knows a lot about football.
Son of Dallas Cowboys QB coach Doug Nussmeier, Nussmeier is scheduled to make his commitment decision on April 18. He has also visited TCU.
