By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
(UPDATE): Baylor WR commit Jordan Nabors is NOT at Texas Tech this weekend. That's a good sign for the Bears to hang on to him. Don't really know the details of what happened. My guess is that Baylor's in home visit on Thursday made an impact. We'll see how this unfolds by Wednesday.
He’s on campus. He posted on IG. One-time Texas commit. FutureCast has him headed to Michigan State. But remember I shared that Baylor visited him on Monday.
(UPDATE: Saturday 10:45 AM)
The biggest commitment that was supposed to happen but didn't is on campus for his OV. Also a good sign for Baylor. He's been picking up steam with offers from Mississippi State, LSU and Missouri. Again, a great track star in the 200.
He was on an OV in Starkville last week.
The Topper
At his initial Sugar Bowl press conference this past Sunday, Baylor head coach Dave Aranda expressed growing hope that starting quarterback Gerry Bohanon (hamstring) could return for the game against Ole Miss. Part of that is because there is some concern about the health and availability of backup Blake Shapen.
Shapen was beat up toward the end of the Big 12 Championship game against Oklahoma State and took a couple of tough sacks where he landed on his shoulder. While the Sugar Bowl is still three weeks away, it’s unclear to what extent Shapen is hurting. But he is hurting. He came into his segment of the postgame presser with the media without any ice pack. But he acknowledged the issue.
“Today was like a little shoulder issue,’’ Shapen said.
This is something to watch as the Bears move closer to playing the Rebels on New Year’s Night.
Official Visitors
Not a big group coming to Waco this weekend. With the Bears at 18 commitments, they can be a little selective. Signing Day is Wednesday and runs through the end of the day on Friday. Remember, Baylor has had that a couple of times where a recruit has signed that Thursday or Friday.
Notable: Baylor is in a pretty good position here with him. It may be just a situation that if they push hard enough, he will commit. Oyewale has a mixed bag of offers including Missouri, Washington State and SMU.
Notable: He likes them a lot and it appears Baylor likes him a lot. Tezino took an official visit to UTSA on Nov. 20. But this one may be a case where the coaching staff could close on him if it wants to do that. Minnesota, Kansas State and Houston are part of his list.
Notable: The Rivals No. 241 and former TCU commit is coming in to see how he could be a force in the receiving game. While Baylor’s receivers have had credible seasons, this offense could use a really big vertical threat. Should he commit to the Bears, Golden would provide that.
Notable: He committed on June 28 after Baylor had concluded its summer OV weekends. With DeSoto’s season over, he finally gets to visit.
Notable: He committed on June 17 but didn’t get a chance to come in because of other conflicts. Now, he can.
Recruits talk Baylor Big 12 Championship
While it is cliché to get automatic reactions after Baylor football does something significant, we decided to let the Big 12 championship and Sugar Bowl appearance settle in a bit with commits and prospects.
Late this week, we asked them what they thought this program was capable of doing moving forward.
Austin Novasad, QB, 2023, Dripping Springs: I think this year really helped baylor in the future (recruit wise) and shows what they can do. I really think this program is on the rise and will continue to win the big 12 and be very high on the college rankings each year!
Paul Oyedale, DE, 2022, Houston Langham Creek: I think they’re capable of doing whatever they put their mind to. I’ve heard from Coach that they have great people on the team, and as we all know that’s where it all starts.
Cameren Jenkins, Ath, 2023, Lewisville: I think they’re capable of a lot and I think they can make the playoffs.
Kelsey Johnson, TE, 2023, Red Oak (Baylor commit): I think people will start overlooking logos like Texas and other schools trying to rebuild their program and start going to the school that’s having success.
Bryan Jackson, Ath, 2024, McKinney: I think they are a championship caliber football team under some great coaching. I think Baylor is capable to be a top 10 ranked team for a long time if they keep playing like they’ve been playing.
Hawkins Polley, TE, 2023, Stratford (Baylor commit): I think they’re capable of competing for a national championship very soon. They’ll be going into next season highly ranked with an opportunity to prove themselves. I can’t wait to see what happens.
Kyler Jordan, DE/LB, 2022, Lubbock Cooper (Baylor commit): I think this program is capable of a few more.
Kaian Roberts-Day, Ath, 2022, Festus, MO (Baylor commit): So much were capable of so much.
Ivory Chester, Sachse, 2023, FB: If the Baylor program can continue the momentum that they have had this season, I believe that they can not only win the Sugar Bowl, but also position themselves to recruit some of the best high school players nationwide.
Connor Stroh,OL, Frisco Wakland, 2023 (Rivals No. 236): The sky is the limit! Loved watching the Big 12 Championship and looking forward to seeing them play in the Sugar Bowl. Should be a great game.
Aeryn Hampton, Ath, Daingerfield, 2024: A lot. I love the direction they are going.
DK Kalu, DL, Fort Bend Ridge Point, 2023: I think it’s capable of making the playoffs in the next couple of years.
Timothy Dawn, OL, Camden AR, 2022 (Baylor commit): It’s capable of doing a lot of things. I feel like throughout these next couple of years, this program is just going to get better and better.
Cody Mladenka, TE, The Woodlands College Park, 2022 (Baylor commit): I think everybody has seen what they are capable of doing. With the staff they have right now, I believe that we are gonna do great things in the next few years.
Richard Reese, RB, Bellville, 2022 (Baylor commit): A lot. It is a really good thing they won and have set a lot of standards for the class of 2022 that will be there next letting us know how much hard work pays off.
Bryce Simpson, OL, Cy Ranch, 2022 (Baylor commit): I believe this program is capable of winning a national championship.
Publisher
(UPDATE): Baylor WR commit Jordan Nabors is NOT at Texas Tech this weekend. That's a good sign for the Bears to hang on to him. Don't really know the details of what happened. My guess is that Baylor's in home visit on Thursday made an impact. We'll see how this unfolds by Wednesday.
He’s on campus. He posted on IG. One-time Texas commit. FutureCast has him headed to Michigan State. But remember I shared that Baylor visited him on Monday.
(UPDATE: Saturday 10:45 AM)
The biggest commitment that was supposed to happen but didn't is on campus for his OV. Also a good sign for Baylor. He's been picking up steam with offers from Mississippi State, LSU and Missouri. Again, a great track star in the 200.
He was on an OV in Starkville last week.
The Topper
At his initial Sugar Bowl press conference this past Sunday, Baylor head coach Dave Aranda expressed growing hope that starting quarterback Gerry Bohanon (hamstring) could return for the game against Ole Miss. Part of that is because there is some concern about the health and availability of backup Blake Shapen.
Shapen was beat up toward the end of the Big 12 Championship game against Oklahoma State and took a couple of tough sacks where he landed on his shoulder. While the Sugar Bowl is still three weeks away, it’s unclear to what extent Shapen is hurting. But he is hurting. He came into his segment of the postgame presser with the media without any ice pack. But he acknowledged the issue.
“Today was like a little shoulder issue,’’ Shapen said.
This is something to watch as the Bears move closer to playing the Rebels on New Year’s Night.
Official Visitors
Not a big group coming to Waco this weekend. With the Bears at 18 commitments, they can be a little selective. Signing Day is Wednesday and runs through the end of the day on Friday. Remember, Baylor has had that a couple of times where a recruit has signed that Thursday or Friday.
Notable: Baylor is in a pretty good position here with him. It may be just a situation that if they push hard enough, he will commit. Oyewale has a mixed bag of offers including Missouri, Washington State and SMU.
Notable: He likes them a lot and it appears Baylor likes him a lot. Tezino took an official visit to UTSA on Nov. 20. But this one may be a case where the coaching staff could close on him if it wants to do that. Minnesota, Kansas State and Houston are part of his list.
Notable: The Rivals No. 241 and former TCU commit is coming in to see how he could be a force in the receiving game. While Baylor’s receivers have had credible seasons, this offense could use a really big vertical threat. Should he commit to the Bears, Golden would provide that.
Notable: He committed on June 28 after Baylor had concluded its summer OV weekends. With DeSoto’s season over, he finally gets to visit.
Notable: He committed on June 17 but didn’t get a chance to come in because of other conflicts. Now, he can.
Recruits talk Baylor Big 12 Championship
While it is cliché to get automatic reactions after Baylor football does something significant, we decided to let the Big 12 championship and Sugar Bowl appearance settle in a bit with commits and prospects.
Late this week, we asked them what they thought this program was capable of doing moving forward.
Austin Novasad, QB, 2023, Dripping Springs: I think this year really helped baylor in the future (recruit wise) and shows what they can do. I really think this program is on the rise and will continue to win the big 12 and be very high on the college rankings each year!
Paul Oyedale, DE, 2022, Houston Langham Creek: I think they’re capable of doing whatever they put their mind to. I’ve heard from Coach that they have great people on the team, and as we all know that’s where it all starts.
Cameren Jenkins, Ath, 2023, Lewisville: I think they’re capable of a lot and I think they can make the playoffs.
Kelsey Johnson, TE, 2023, Red Oak (Baylor commit): I think people will start overlooking logos like Texas and other schools trying to rebuild their program and start going to the school that’s having success.
Bryan Jackson, Ath, 2024, McKinney: I think they are a championship caliber football team under some great coaching. I think Baylor is capable to be a top 10 ranked team for a long time if they keep playing like they’ve been playing.
Hawkins Polley, TE, 2023, Stratford (Baylor commit): I think they’re capable of competing for a national championship very soon. They’ll be going into next season highly ranked with an opportunity to prove themselves. I can’t wait to see what happens.
Kyler Jordan, DE/LB, 2022, Lubbock Cooper (Baylor commit): I think this program is capable of a few more.
Kaian Roberts-Day, Ath, 2022, Festus, MO (Baylor commit): So much were capable of so much.
Ivory Chester, Sachse, 2023, FB: If the Baylor program can continue the momentum that they have had this season, I believe that they can not only win the Sugar Bowl, but also position themselves to recruit some of the best high school players nationwide.
Connor Stroh,OL, Frisco Wakland, 2023 (Rivals No. 236): The sky is the limit! Loved watching the Big 12 Championship and looking forward to seeing them play in the Sugar Bowl. Should be a great game.
Aeryn Hampton, Ath, Daingerfield, 2024: A lot. I love the direction they are going.
DK Kalu, DL, Fort Bend Ridge Point, 2023: I think it’s capable of making the playoffs in the next couple of years.
Timothy Dawn, OL, Camden AR, 2022 (Baylor commit): It’s capable of doing a lot of things. I feel like throughout these next couple of years, this program is just going to get better and better.
Cody Mladenka, TE, The Woodlands College Park, 2022 (Baylor commit): I think everybody has seen what they are capable of doing. With the staff they have right now, I believe that we are gonna do great things in the next few years.
Richard Reese, RB, Bellville, 2022 (Baylor commit): A lot. It is a really good thing they won and have set a lot of standards for the class of 2022 that will be there next letting us know how much hard work pays off.
Bryce Simpson, OL, Cy Ranch, 2022 (Baylor commit): I believe this program is capable of winning a national championship.
