By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
The Topper
>As we’ve mentioned previously, 2024 small forward and Rivals No. 13 Jason Asemota has his official visit to Baylor scheduled for Aug. 26-28.
>One aspect of the Baylor defense to watch this fall is how many will play meaningful snaps in a game. With so many returning starters and letter winners, there is the belief that this unit could play beyond 20 in a game.
Typically, great depth is about 18. But if the coaching staff believes this can happen as fall camp unfolds, that’s going to mean a lot in terms of stamina in games translating into having that extra gear in the fourth quarter. That’s also going to impact the health. Distributed snaps means preserving more players.
Doubling his joy
It’s a good time to be Brendan Bett these days. Not only is he a week removed from making his verbal commitment to Baylor, he’s about to be a big brother.
“My mom is due on Sept. 11,’’ Bett said. “I’m going to have a little brother.’’
The Killeen Ellison 2023 defensive tackle announced his decision to be the newest Bear on Aug. 6. He became the 24th member of the class. He will join former teammate Devonte Tezino who just arrived in the summer as part of Baylor’s 2022 class.
Bett chose the Bears over SMU, Colorado and Houston. But to be honest, everybody on that list was well behind Baylor the race. That became clear when Bett took his official visit to Baylor June 17.
“Just the environment meant a lot,’’ Bett said. “Seeing myself as a part of a family instead of a team.’’
Bett came off a very solid 2021 season where he collected 67 total tackles (49 solo) and mixed in a couple of sacks. Like Tezino, Bett saw how much a Baylor defense could swarm to opposing teams and shut them down.
But he also became close to defensive line coach Dennis Johnson who is firmly establishing himself as one of the top defensive assistants in the country. Trust is a word.
“We definitely have a great connection,’’ Bett said. “They want me mainly playing at defensive tackle. But there’s a chance I could play some defensive end. I love their intensity and how they get after it.’’
Fall camp began for Ellison earlier this week. The Eagles are trying to make the playoffs after missing in 2021 with a 4-6 record.
“I feel like my size and capability are my strengths,’’ he said. “I want to improve my speed and change of direction. I just want to work on my dip move this year to make that better.’’
Bett is the No. 20 defensive tackle in the country and Rivals No. 65 rated prospect in Texas.
Holding the Key(s)
Aledo 2024 linebacker Davhon Keys is one of those talents who could make a big turn in his recruitment this coming season.
And that’s saying something for someone who already had LSU, Oklahoma, Penn State and Texas A&M offers before he camped at Baylor on July 30. Of course, the Bears offered.
“I liked their hands on style of coaching the best,’’ Keys said about the camp. “I liked how if you didn't understand what [Defensive Coordinator Ron Roberts] was trying to tell you, he would physically show you what he wants. I also like how particular he is about technique, and he focuses on the little things.’’
Keys is going to be one of the central figures for Aledo’s 2022 defense at linebacker. The Bearcats may also use him at running back. As said in the past, he’s one of the most physical players to come through head coach Tim Buchanan’s program in recent years. There’s teeth to that because Aledo’s defense has been one of the best over the last 16 seasons.
Keys enjoyed a productive sophomore season with 68 tackles (47 solo) and three sacks. The challenge for the Bearcats is that they are moving up to Class 5A Division I and sharing the same district with noted 5A D1 power Denton Ryan.
Baylor coaches really didn’t distinguish anything with Keys working him as an outside or inside linebacker. The drills weren’t designed as such anyway.
What it really is going to come down is how programs see him. Keys is listed as an athlete. What will also be interesting is where other programs see him since he is listed as an athlete.
“Coach Roberts didn't say anything specific about how i would fit the defense,’’ Keys said. “But he did like how I would ask questions and always want to learn more. And he liked how I would quickly go to work when it was my turn.
“I want to better understand their defense and how it is ran, and I would like to learn about their engineering program.’’
It’s expected that Baylor will push to have Keys come to a game or two this season. He is the No. 39 rated athlete by Rivals.
Publisher
The Topper
>As we’ve mentioned previously, 2024 small forward and Rivals No. 13 Jason Asemota has his official visit to Baylor scheduled for Aug. 26-28.
>One aspect of the Baylor defense to watch this fall is how many will play meaningful snaps in a game. With so many returning starters and letter winners, there is the belief that this unit could play beyond 20 in a game.
Typically, great depth is about 18. But if the coaching staff believes this can happen as fall camp unfolds, that’s going to mean a lot in terms of stamina in games translating into having that extra gear in the fourth quarter. That’s also going to impact the health. Distributed snaps means preserving more players.
Doubling his joy
It’s a good time to be Brendan Bett these days. Not only is he a week removed from making his verbal commitment to Baylor, he’s about to be a big brother.
“My mom is due on Sept. 11,’’ Bett said. “I’m going to have a little brother.’’
The Killeen Ellison 2023 defensive tackle announced his decision to be the newest Bear on Aug. 6. He became the 24th member of the class. He will join former teammate Devonte Tezino who just arrived in the summer as part of Baylor’s 2022 class.
Bett chose the Bears over SMU, Colorado and Houston. But to be honest, everybody on that list was well behind Baylor the race. That became clear when Bett took his official visit to Baylor June 17.
“Just the environment meant a lot,’’ Bett said. “Seeing myself as a part of a family instead of a team.’’
Bett came off a very solid 2021 season where he collected 67 total tackles (49 solo) and mixed in a couple of sacks. Like Tezino, Bett saw how much a Baylor defense could swarm to opposing teams and shut them down.
But he also became close to defensive line coach Dennis Johnson who is firmly establishing himself as one of the top defensive assistants in the country. Trust is a word.
“We definitely have a great connection,’’ Bett said. “They want me mainly playing at defensive tackle. But there’s a chance I could play some defensive end. I love their intensity and how they get after it.’’
Fall camp began for Ellison earlier this week. The Eagles are trying to make the playoffs after missing in 2021 with a 4-6 record.
“I feel like my size and capability are my strengths,’’ he said. “I want to improve my speed and change of direction. I just want to work on my dip move this year to make that better.’’
Bett is the No. 20 defensive tackle in the country and Rivals No. 65 rated prospect in Texas.
Holding the Key(s)
Aledo 2024 linebacker Davhon Keys is one of those talents who could make a big turn in his recruitment this coming season.
And that’s saying something for someone who already had LSU, Oklahoma, Penn State and Texas A&M offers before he camped at Baylor on July 30. Of course, the Bears offered.
“I liked their hands on style of coaching the best,’’ Keys said about the camp. “I liked how if you didn't understand what [Defensive Coordinator Ron Roberts] was trying to tell you, he would physically show you what he wants. I also like how particular he is about technique, and he focuses on the little things.’’
Keys is going to be one of the central figures for Aledo’s 2022 defense at linebacker. The Bearcats may also use him at running back. As said in the past, he’s one of the most physical players to come through head coach Tim Buchanan’s program in recent years. There’s teeth to that because Aledo’s defense has been one of the best over the last 16 seasons.
Keys enjoyed a productive sophomore season with 68 tackles (47 solo) and three sacks. The challenge for the Bearcats is that they are moving up to Class 5A Division I and sharing the same district with noted 5A D1 power Denton Ryan.
Baylor coaches really didn’t distinguish anything with Keys working him as an outside or inside linebacker. The drills weren’t designed as such anyway.
What it really is going to come down is how programs see him. Keys is listed as an athlete. What will also be interesting is where other programs see him since he is listed as an athlete.
“Coach Roberts didn't say anything specific about how i would fit the defense,’’ Keys said. “But he did like how I would ask questions and always want to learn more. And he liked how I would quickly go to work when it was my turn.
“I want to better understand their defense and how it is ran, and I would like to learn about their engineering program.’’
It’s expected that Baylor will push to have Keys come to a game or two this season. He is the No. 39 rated athlete by Rivals.
