By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
The Topper
>Baylor hasn’t formally announced when fall camp will start. But expect it to be the first week of August. Not 100 but I’ve heard Aug. 4.
>In addition to its final camp of the summer season on July 30, Baylor coaches will host the majority of their 2023 commits for a get together. It should be a BBQ deal. There will also be some valued targets expected to attend. More about that as we get closer.
One who will not be there is the most recent commit, Arlington Lamar 4-star offensive lineman Isaiah Robinson.
Robinson is competing in the USATF Junior Olympics in Sacramento in both the discus and the shot. He qualified in the discus at 143'0.4 and shot at 51’ 0.5.
Arizona tight end Matthew Klopfenstein said he won’t be able to attend either because of logistics.
More on Novosad
Ok, so what I can tell you is that it sounds like Baylor 2023 QB commit Austin Novosad should be there for July 30 function. I said should. While you never want to read too much into anything, it would be a reaffirmation that the Rivals No. 136 is locked in.
Novosad is currently on vacation with his family in Florida. Sounds like he hasn’t stopped short of wearing Baylor gear while he has been there. A good sign for sure.
Now, the Notre Dame angle has changed. Last week, we didn’t think the Irish were going to be a factor in this. However, things have moved to where it’s maybe a 50-50 chance Novosad visits sometime next week. The recruiting dead period ends at midnight Sunday.
Texas A&M is what it is simply because of his parents being alums. The way to look at the Aggies becoming a major threat here is if Novosad decides to take an official visit. That hasn’t happened. It’s not clear if he will return to College Station any time soon.
I don’t believe Ohio State is as strong a contender as it was maybe two months ago. But this is a fluid situation. Time will tell if Georgia gets involved. The common denominator between Notre Dame, Texas A&M and Georgia? None of them have a quarterback committed.
To reiterate, I still believe that Baylor will retain Novosad’s commitment. Always remember, he’s committed to Baylor until he isn’t. He’s the No. 9 quarterback in the country and the No. 22 prospect in Texas.
Tay’Shawn Wilson – That just happened
When he took his official visit to Baylor the weekend of June 24, 4-star 2023 DB Tay’Shawn Wilson did not plan on committing to Dave Aranda’s program. In fact, he thought he would let the process play out longer.
And then the visit happened.
“I was kind of surprised [to commit] because in my mind I thought that I was going to wait,’’ the Katy Mayde Creek standout said. “But during the OV it felt like home and that’s where I wanted to be and committed.”
Baylor had always been one of the stronger contenders for the Rivals No. 152 prospect. What may have turned it in Baylor’s favor was attending the April 10 scrimmage at McLane Stadium.
His relationship with defensive backs coach Kevin Curtis took off in another direction. Then, the one-on-one meetings pretty much led to the shocking Saturday June 25 announcement.
“Just the relationship I had with Coach Curtis and Coach Aranda and the rest of the staff sealed the deal,’’ Wilson said. “I love the way how they allow you to be you from a personal standpoint.”
Wilson won’t be enrolling in Baylor until June 2023. There’s a high school track career he wants to finish. He’s determined to make one more trip to the state track and field meet next May.
His 4x100 relay team finished sixth at the meet this past May. Wilson also just missed state in regionals in the 100 finishing third. Wilson has posted a PB of 10.62.
“Going in the season my goal is to continue to get better as a complete defensive back and continue to be a better teammate,’’ he said. “This my last year so I’m trying to leave the school better than it was when I came.”
Wilson enjoyed a stellar junior season scoring two defensive touchdowns and blocking four field goal attempts. He also had seven PBUs. He’s the No. 22 defensive back in the country and the No. 26 prospect in Texas.
Meet Palmer Williams – Baylor’s new punter
Baylor will need an heir apparent to senior punter Issac Power. That will be Mocksville, NC specialist Palmer Williams.
The 2023 punter committed to Baylor July 1 after working out in front of the coaching staff. In addition to taking over for Power, Williams could also serve as kickoff specialist, the role Noah Rauschenberg holds.
“Yeah definitely,’’ he said. “And I showed off the ability to kick field goals if need be. I would serve as a backup place kicker. I think I work well with the coaches well. Their knowledge of kicking is helpful.
“Coach [Ronnie] Wheat and coach Aman Anand gave me some good technical tips about the length of my steps and get off time after catching the snap.”
The speed of the college game also translates to punting. Longer strides risk more punts getting blocked. Williams is working on shortening them.
Don’t expect Williams to be a rugby style of punter. He plans on being the traditional direct snap punter.
“A lot of college coaches have a scheme that you do no matter what your strong suit is,’’ he said. “The coaches there also really mold their play style to what you’re best at. I’m not as skilled at rolling out so they will call more punts from the pocket.”
Williams’ emergence as a D1 punter really surfaced following the 2021 season. He said he was averaging about 37 yards per punt. At Baylor’s camp, he said he was averaging 47. That’s a pretty big difference.
“I’ve really broken out this off-season,’’ he said. “I started to take diet and consistency in training way more serious. I’ve also been training smarter, and it’s translated to when I punt in front of coaches.’’
Williams said he plans to arrive in Waco in January 2023. The Bears were one of two offers he held. The other was from UConn. He was also considering Texas and several D1 schools between North and South Carolina.
Basketball Note
While playing in a tournament earlier this week in North Carolina, Rivals No. 13 for 2024, Glendale (AZ) Hillcrest Prep small forward Jason Asemota told our North Carolina State colleagues that Baylor is his leader and that he plans on taking an official visit perhaps the final week of August. Basketball recruits can actually take two OVs to the same school given how the basketball recruiting calendar runs.
Publisher
The Topper
>Baylor hasn’t formally announced when fall camp will start. But expect it to be the first week of August. Not 100 but I’ve heard Aug. 4.
>In addition to its final camp of the summer season on July 30, Baylor coaches will host the majority of their 2023 commits for a get together. It should be a BBQ deal. There will also be some valued targets expected to attend. More about that as we get closer.
One who will not be there is the most recent commit, Arlington Lamar 4-star offensive lineman Isaiah Robinson.
Robinson is competing in the USATF Junior Olympics in Sacramento in both the discus and the shot. He qualified in the discus at 143'0.4 and shot at 51’ 0.5.
Arizona tight end Matthew Klopfenstein said he won’t be able to attend either because of logistics.
More on Novosad
Ok, so what I can tell you is that it sounds like Baylor 2023 QB commit Austin Novosad should be there for July 30 function. I said should. While you never want to read too much into anything, it would be a reaffirmation that the Rivals No. 136 is locked in.
Novosad is currently on vacation with his family in Florida. Sounds like he hasn’t stopped short of wearing Baylor gear while he has been there. A good sign for sure.
Now, the Notre Dame angle has changed. Last week, we didn’t think the Irish were going to be a factor in this. However, things have moved to where it’s maybe a 50-50 chance Novosad visits sometime next week. The recruiting dead period ends at midnight Sunday.
Texas A&M is what it is simply because of his parents being alums. The way to look at the Aggies becoming a major threat here is if Novosad decides to take an official visit. That hasn’t happened. It’s not clear if he will return to College Station any time soon.
I don’t believe Ohio State is as strong a contender as it was maybe two months ago. But this is a fluid situation. Time will tell if Georgia gets involved. The common denominator between Notre Dame, Texas A&M and Georgia? None of them have a quarterback committed.
To reiterate, I still believe that Baylor will retain Novosad’s commitment. Always remember, he’s committed to Baylor until he isn’t. He’s the No. 9 quarterback in the country and the No. 22 prospect in Texas.
Tay’Shawn Wilson – That just happened
When he took his official visit to Baylor the weekend of June 24, 4-star 2023 DB Tay’Shawn Wilson did not plan on committing to Dave Aranda’s program. In fact, he thought he would let the process play out longer.
And then the visit happened.
“I was kind of surprised [to commit] because in my mind I thought that I was going to wait,’’ the Katy Mayde Creek standout said. “But during the OV it felt like home and that’s where I wanted to be and committed.”
Baylor had always been one of the stronger contenders for the Rivals No. 152 prospect. What may have turned it in Baylor’s favor was attending the April 10 scrimmage at McLane Stadium.
His relationship with defensive backs coach Kevin Curtis took off in another direction. Then, the one-on-one meetings pretty much led to the shocking Saturday June 25 announcement.
“Just the relationship I had with Coach Curtis and Coach Aranda and the rest of the staff sealed the deal,’’ Wilson said. “I love the way how they allow you to be you from a personal standpoint.”
Wilson won’t be enrolling in Baylor until June 2023. There’s a high school track career he wants to finish. He’s determined to make one more trip to the state track and field meet next May.
His 4x100 relay team finished sixth at the meet this past May. Wilson also just missed state in regionals in the 100 finishing third. Wilson has posted a PB of 10.62.
“Going in the season my goal is to continue to get better as a complete defensive back and continue to be a better teammate,’’ he said. “This my last year so I’m trying to leave the school better than it was when I came.”
Wilson enjoyed a stellar junior season scoring two defensive touchdowns and blocking four field goal attempts. He also had seven PBUs. He’s the No. 22 defensive back in the country and the No. 26 prospect in Texas.
Meet Palmer Williams – Baylor’s new punter
Baylor will need an heir apparent to senior punter Issac Power. That will be Mocksville, NC specialist Palmer Williams.
The 2023 punter committed to Baylor July 1 after working out in front of the coaching staff. In addition to taking over for Power, Williams could also serve as kickoff specialist, the role Noah Rauschenberg holds.
“Yeah definitely,’’ he said. “And I showed off the ability to kick field goals if need be. I would serve as a backup place kicker. I think I work well with the coaches well. Their knowledge of kicking is helpful.
“Coach [Ronnie] Wheat and coach Aman Anand gave me some good technical tips about the length of my steps and get off time after catching the snap.”
The speed of the college game also translates to punting. Longer strides risk more punts getting blocked. Williams is working on shortening them.
Don’t expect Williams to be a rugby style of punter. He plans on being the traditional direct snap punter.
“A lot of college coaches have a scheme that you do no matter what your strong suit is,’’ he said. “The coaches there also really mold their play style to what you’re best at. I’m not as skilled at rolling out so they will call more punts from the pocket.”
Williams’ emergence as a D1 punter really surfaced following the 2021 season. He said he was averaging about 37 yards per punt. At Baylor’s camp, he said he was averaging 47. That’s a pretty big difference.
“I’ve really broken out this off-season,’’ he said. “I started to take diet and consistency in training way more serious. I’ve also been training smarter, and it’s translated to when I punt in front of coaches.’’
Williams said he plans to arrive in Waco in January 2023. The Bears were one of two offers he held. The other was from UConn. He was also considering Texas and several D1 schools between North and South Carolina.
Basketball Note
While playing in a tournament earlier this week in North Carolina, Rivals No. 13 for 2024, Glendale (AZ) Hillcrest Prep small forward Jason Asemota told our North Carolina State colleagues that Baylor is his leader and that he plans on taking an official visit perhaps the final week of August. Basketball recruits can actually take two OVs to the same school given how the basketball recruiting calendar runs.
