NOTE: The content on the Baylor Blitz is solely meant for the subscribers of SicEmSports. Let's all please make sure that whatever is written here stays here. We appreciate you all helping us with this. Now, let's all take a look at Baylor recruiting and what else is going on involving the Bears.
Big Basketball Recruiting Weekend
With Rivals' No. 1 Jahlil Okafor and No. 2 Tyus Jones visiting Baylor this weekend, this is a pretty important time for coach Scott Drew's program to make its sales pitch. We gave the story on Okafor coming.
While we were not able to connect with Jones, our national analyst Eric Bossi provided his assessment of how Baylor could shape the rest of the recruiting for these two. It's widely known that the two have stated they would like to play in college together.
"One of the most talked about recruiting stories is the potential package deal of Okafor and Jones,'' Bossi said. "Baylor and their coaches are in a good spot this weekend. They get to try and set the bar for all other official visits that the current No. 1 and No. 2 players in the class of 2014 will take.
"Okafor is a skilled and polished back to the basket scorer. Frankly, there haven't been many players to come along in a while with his touch, scoring ability and size and his status as the No. 1 player in 2014 is solid. Jones on the other hand is a steady and skilled playmaker for others who knocks down shots. He's always in control and does a good job of making those around him better."
-Kevin Lonnquist & Eric Bossi
>If Bonney commits
Should the Houston Lamar DB John Bonney commit to Baylor, it wouldn't be a surprise. Given the deep roots of the relationship he's had with the coaching staff and the fact that Baylor was one of the first to offer him that may mean something to this.
His rating hasn't changed at a high three star and 5.7 rating. A big season could definitely take that up to four stars.
"I'm talking up Baylor to him'' defensive end Ira Lewis said.
If this build up is for naught ? it's hard to see Bonney doing this the day of the season opener ? it shouldn't impact Baylor one way or another. We know that Bonney has been in contact with the Baylor coaches since his Aug. 17 visit. Currently, Baylor is No. 20 in the Rivals team rankings.
-Kevin Lonnquist
>Baylor-Wofford Visitors
Of course, this is not a complete list. These things never are. They are a moving target. But these are the players who have told SicEmSports they plan on attending Saturday's season opener at Floyd Casey Stadium.
>KD Cannon, WR, Mount Pleasant
>Jamie Jacobs, DE/LB Waco
>Jordan Feuerbacher, TE, Kingwood Park
>Devontre Stricklin, WR, Waco Midway (2015)
>Cordell Dorsey, LB/S, Abilene Cooper
>Andrew Morris, DT, Mesquite Horn
-Kevin Lonnquist & Jake Shaw
Hardship waiver update
>As for Boise State DE transfer Sam Ukwuachu, Baylor has not officially heard from the NCAA as late as Thursday. But again most believe the Bears will not get a favorable ruling. Baylor cannot play Ukwuachu even in this lull period.
>Denver basketball transfer Royce O'Neale and Baylor have not heard either. However, I'm told that Baylor is just in the early stages of putting its appeal together.
-Kevin Lonnquist
Recruits High School football season begins
We'll start tracking how the Baylor commits did in the player chart on Tuesdays. However, we wanted to give you their zero week matchups. The player's school is in bold.
>OL Blake Blackmar .Houston Clear Lake at Deer Park, 7:00 p.m. Friday
>Ath Jourdan Blake .Greenville at Princeton, 7:30 p.m. Friday
>OL Jarell Broxton .Navy Prep at Lackawanna C.C., 11:00 a.m. Saturday
>WR KD Cannon .Paris at Mount Pleasant, 7:30 p.m. Friday
>LB James David .Salado at Rockdale, 7:30 p.m. Friday
>S/LB Cordell Dorsey .Abilene Cooper at WF Rider, 7:00 p.m. Friday
>TE Jordan Feuerbacher .Humble Kingwood Park at Channelview, 7:00 p.m. Friday
>Ath Davion Hall .Texarkana Liberty-Eylau at Omaha Paul Pewitt, 7:30 p.m. Friday
>DE/LB Jamie Jacobs .Bryan at Waco Midway, 7:30 p.m. Friday
>OL Devonte Jones .Alief Taylor at Houston Bellaire, 7:00 p.m. Friday
>DE Xavier Jones .Magnolia West at Tomball Memorial, 7:00 p.m. Friday
>OL Patrick Lawrence .Midlothian at Waxahachie, 7:30 p.m. Friday
>DE Ira Lewis .Houston Lamar at Houston Klein Forest, 7:00 p.m. Friday
>TE Blake Mahon .Longview vs. Coppell, 7:30 p.m. Friday (Tom Landry Classic)
>DE Josh Malin .SA Madison at Cibolo Steele, 7:30 p.m. Friday
>DT Andrew Morris .McKinney Boyd at Mesquite Horn, 7:30 p.m. Friday
>OL Josh Pelzel....Salado at Rockdale, 7:30 p.m. Friday
>WR Chris Platt .Willis at Navasota, 7:30 p.m. Friday
>DE Greg Roberts. Nacogdoches has a bye
>LB T'Kevin Rockwell .Garland Sachse at Wylie, 7:30 p.m. Friday
>Ath Verkedric Vaughns .Mesquite Poteet 49, Frisco Liberty 20
Note: Vaughns did not play. He said he tweaked a knee about a week ago. It's not considered serious.
>RB Terence Williams .Burleson Centennial at Ennis, 7:30 p.m. Friday
>WR Ishmael Zamora .Humble Kingwood 34, Alief Elsik 19
Note: Zamora caught a 19-yard touchdown pass
-SicEmSports
Coaches takes on recruit's fall camp
>Houston Clear Lake coach Sam Smith said Blake Blackmar will remain the team's center for the future. Blackmar worked out exclusively at the position throughout fall camp.
"He's gotten a lot better with the snaps and is much more comfortable with it,'' Smith said. "We moved him over there in the sixth game of the season last year and it's been a good fit for us. We run a high up-tempo offense. Blake does a great job of what we ask of him.''
>At Abilene Cooper, coach Todd Moebes decided to move Cordell Dorsey from outside linebacker to free safety this year. Was it because of need?
"Well actually, we don't have any depth at linebacker,'' Moebes said with a laugh. "He's just taken to it the position. And he actually played it there as a freshman so he knows what we're asking. I think it's going to be a great move for him because of what we ask of our free safety. We want him to be the leading tackler on the team.''
>Although Jourdan Blake is Princeton's quarterback, coach Lee Wilkins said he will play Blake a lot more in the secondary this year. That makes sense because that's where Baylor wants him in 2014.
"He's just a natural back there the way he moves,'' Wilkins said. "He's had a great camp. With his frame (6-1, 185), I think he can play at 205 at Baylor and not lose a step. Jourdan is just that talented.''
>Now here's something that will give you a double take. When speaking with Texarkana Liberty Eylau coach Brian Brown about Davion Hall, he actually spoke about Hall with some regret.
"He averaged 25 yards a play for us, but I still don't think we did enough for him,'' Brown said.
As for Alabama remaining in the recruiting picture, Brown said: "I think that kids want to see the football side of things. But I do know that he really likes Baylor. He's had a good relationship with them.''
-Kevin Lonnquist
Big 12 Weekend
A look at this week's games. All times are central daylight time.
Friday Games
Texas Tech (0-0) at SMU (0-0)
7:00 p.m. Gerald J. Ford Stadium, University Park (ESPN)
The skinny: Since SMU returned from the death penalty in 1989, the Mustangs have yet to beat the Red Raiders. Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury makes his debut and has had to shuffle his offense with QB Michael Brewer out (back). It's likely freshman Davis Webb and walk Baker Mayfield will split time. Meanwhile Hal Mumme returns to Division I football to help run SMU's offense. Former Texas RB Traylon Shead is now with the Mustangs.
North Dakota State (0-0) at Kansas State (0-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday, Bill Snyder Family Stadium, Manhattan, KS (FOX Sports 1)
The skinny: JUCO transfer Jake Waters won the starting quarterback position, Bill Snyder announced earlier this week. RB John Hubert returns to steady the offense. The Wildcats have won 20 consecutive season openers under Snyder. Junior WR Tyler Lockett led the Big 12 in kickoff returns in 2012 at 32.8 per.
Saturday Games
William & Mary (0-0) at West Virginia (0-0)
11:00 a.m. Milan Puskar Stadium, Morgantown, W VA (FS1)
The skinny: First meeting between these two programs since 1972. It's likely the Mountaineers will play both Paul Millard (Flower Mound) and Florida State transfer Clint Trickett at quarterback. The Tribe has emerged as a consistent FCS power.
No. 14/13 Oklahoma State (0-0) vs. Mississippi State (0-0)
2:30 p.m. Reliant Stadium, Houston (ESPN2 & ABC)
The skinny: The preseason Big 12 favorite Cowboys carry the mantle against the mid-SEC power Bulldogs. While the offense will have its share of rotation between Clint Chelf and J.W. Walsh, watch the defensive line led by Calvin Barnett. The Bulldogs, who should be a bowl team, unveil a new helmet Saturday with an outline of a bulldog. Gone is the Block MSU.
UL-Monroe (0-0) at No. 16/16 Oklahoma (0-0)
6:00 p.m. Memorial Stadium, Norman, OK (PPV)
The skinny: Warhawk quarterback Kolton Browning is one of the most underrated non-BCS quarterbacks in the country because he is a dual. OU linebacker Corey Nelson will have to pay attention to him. The Sooners break in new starting quarterback Trevor Knight. Oklahoma has gone undefeated 10 times under coach Bob Stoops
Wofford (0-0) at Baylor (0-0)
6:30 p.m. Floyd Casey Stadium, Waco (FSN)
The skinny: The offense now belongs to new starting quarterback Bryce Petty who also breaks in new receivers Corey Coleman and Robbie Rhodes. The defense welcomes Penn State transfer Shawn Oakman into the mix at defensive end. Wofford plays the old-school wing-T offense.
Northern Iowa (0-0) at Iowa State (0-0)
7:00 p.m. Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA (Cyclone Sports)
The skinny: This could be an upset alert with the FCS power Panthers visiting and the Cyclones rebuilding. There are so many unknowns on both sides of the ball. Coach Paul Rhoads is hoping sophomore quarterback Sam Richardson is ready to run the offense.
New Mexico State (0-0) at No. 15/15 Texas (0-0)
7:00 p.m. Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium (LHN)
The skinny: High expectations are in Austin after three mediocre seasons. The offense now belongs to David Ash. What will be interesting is which of the running backs will emerge as the go-to guy, Johnathan Gray, Joe Bergeron or Malcolm Brown. DE Jackson Jeffcoat returns after missing most of 2012 with a torn pectoral muscle.
No. 20/20 TCU (0-0) vs. No. 12/13 LSU (0-0)
8:00 p.m. Cowboys Stadium Arlington (ESPN)
The skinny: There's a lot of chicken being played by both LSU coach Les Miles and TCU's Gary Patterson. Miles is mum on whether embattled RB Jeremy Hill will play. So is Patterson about suspended DE Devonte Fields. Patterson also isn't saying if Casey Pachall or Trevone Boykin will start. The odds favor Pachall.
Kansas is off this week
-SicEmSports
Big 12 Power Rankings
Each week, SicEmSports ranks the Big 12 teams based on expectations and performance. Ratings always vary. Agree or disagree, there's nothing like finding out who is ranked where. These ratings are the way I voted in the preseason poll.
1. Oklahoma State ? Cowboys are no longer the hunter
2. Oklahoma ? With the QB situation settled, the Sooners can now focus
3. Texas ? If the offensive line is right, this team could be really good
4. Baylor ? All eyes are on the defense this year
5. TCU ? Excellent depth at running back
6. Kansas State ? Wildcats started in this position at this time in 2012
7. West Virginia ? Houston transfer Charles Sims is the starting RB
8. Texas Tech ? The KK talk is a little tough to listen to, and he hasn't coached yet
9. Kansas ? Another week to get QB Jake Heaps ready for the season
10. Iowa State ? Just too many questions for this team to answer
-Kevin Lonnquist
Sock Drawer Predictions
Ok, Jake, Stephen and I decided that it would be fun to play smart guy and predict our conference champions, BCS champion and Heisman Trophy. Then we added which Big 12 teams are going to the bowls partnered with the conference. We're not going with explanations. We're just throwing them
against the wall.
Kevin Lonnquist
Big 12: Oklahoma State
SEC: Alabama
AAC: Louisville
Big 10: Ohio State
ACC: Clemson
Pac 12: Oregon
CUSA: Tulsa
Sun Belt: UL-Monroe
BCS title game: Ohio State over Alabaman
Heisman Trophy: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
Big 12 Bowls
BCS (Fiesta): Oklahoma State
Cotton: Baylor
Alamo: Oklahoma
Buffalo Wild Wings: Kansas State
Holiday: Texas
Texas Bowl: TCU
New Era Pinstripe: Kansas
Jake Shaw
Big 12: Oklahoma State
SEC: Alabama
Big 10: Ohio State
ACC: Clemson
Pac 12: Stanford
CUSA: Tulsa
AAC: Louisville
Sun Belt: Louisiana-Monroe
BCS title game: Alabama over Ohio State
Heisman Trophy: Braxton Miller, QB, Ohio State
Big 12 Bowls
BCS (Fiesta): Oklahoma State
AT&T Cotton: Texas
Valero Alamo: Baylor
Buffalo Wild Wings: Oklahoma
Holiday: TCU
Texas: Kansas State
New Era Pinstripe: Texas Tech
Stephen Cook
AAC: Louisville
Big 10: Ohio State
SEC: Alabama
ACC: Clemson
Pac12: Stanford
CUSA: Tulsa
Sun Belt: Louisiana-Lafayette
BCS title game: Oklahoma State over Ohio State
Heisman Trophy: Braxton Miller, QB, Ohio State
Big 12 bowl games
BCS Rose Bowl: OSU over Ohio State
Cotton Bowl: Baylor over A&M
Valero Alamo: Texas
Buffalo Wild Wings: Oklahoma
Holiday: Kansas State
Texas Bowl: TCU
New Era Pinstripe: Iowa State
-SicEmSports
Emptying the Notebook
>All I can tell you is that the latest information I have on Rockdale LB James David's hopes to get into Baylor translates into him still having a long way to go in this process. Some progress was made in the summer. There is so much academic uncertainty tied to this. For those reasons, our stance of keeping him a soft commitment continues.
>Whispers...I wouldn't be surprised if TK Rockwell doesn't play in Friday's season opener.
>Baylor appears to have lost its competition for OL commit Jarell Broxton. He texted us that he doesn't plan on visiting any other programs. Wisconsin and Arizona State had been in the mix. "My decision is solid," he texted. Broxton said that he does want to make it to at least one Baylor game this fall. He said he'll let us know what game that will be.
-Kevin Lonnquist
