By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
Baylor released its first two-deep chart for the upcoming 2021 season. While so much can change between mid-July to the start of fall camp on Aug. 6 to the season opener on Sept. 4 at Texas State, SicEmSports provides its analysis of the positions.
As always, classification designations come with the reminder that there was an extra year of eligibility tacked on as the NCAA announced eligibility in 2020 would not count.
On Tuesday, we conclude with the defense and special teams
Defensive End
Cole Maxwell, Sr.
TJ Franklin, Jr.
Analysis: You’re going to find that this is probably going to be the defensive rotation across the front for the coming season with the exception of a couple. Maxwell played his way into this position but has been plagued by knee injuries in his career. Franklin likely will be one of the first off the bench types. Wouldn’t be surprised if he flips sides from time to time.
Nose Tackle
Apu Ika, So.
Chidi Ogbonnaya, Sr.
Analysis: This spot looks the best probably in the years your publisher has covered Baylor even when Bravvion Roy was there. Depth is solid. Size is electric. Ika’s spring was very impressive. The only question for Ika is how many snaps a game can he give this team? Weight issues have been brought up. Ogbonnaya is probably the starter if Ika doesn’t transfer from LSU.
Defensive End
Brayden Utley, Jr.
Rob Saulin, Sr.
Analysis: You have tip your cap to Utley who went from being a walk on to an impact player in 2020 to earning a scholarship earlier this year. He’s done it all on his own. Saulin has had some injury issues in the past. Hopefully, a clean year for him is one the horizon.
Jack
Ashton Logan, Sr.
Garmon Randolph, So.
Analysis: Logan is one of those players where you think at first, “he’s really that good?” Well, he earned the Jack starting position last year. Randolph’s development in that spot is intriguing. Listed at 6-7, when he plays, don’t think he won’t be used as a fourth pass rusher.
MLB
Dillon Doyle, Jr.
Matt Jones, So.
Analysis: Doyle adjusted quickly when he came from Iowa. He is the ideal middle linebacker because of his strength. He runs just well enough to pursue to the outside. Perhaps Jones has now found his place – he flipped from LB to DL in previous seasons – and is being groomed as the heir apparent.
WLB
Terrel Bernard, Sr.
Will Williams, So.
Analysis: Bernard is at his best when he is playing on the perimeter. His speed for and outside linebacker is pretty impressive. Now, can the All-Big 12 performer and the heart and soul of this defense stay healthy? That’s been his only issue. Williams had a great camp and put himself in position.
Star
Jalen Pitre, Sr.
Lorando Johnson, R-Fr.
Analysis: Pitre really shined in that role in 2020. Witness the consecutive pick 6s against Iowa State and Texas Tech. But he understand how to patrol the field with great instincts. Remember, Johnson was a late add to the 2020 roster. But the Lancaster (TX) product is a great talent. Should be interesting when he gets on the field.
Defensive Back
Kalon Barnes, Sr.
Zeke Brown, 6YR
Analysis: Time flies because it seems like yesterday Barnes just got to Baylor. Even when he was playing with a broken hand in 2020, Barnes never missed a beat. You’ll recall his great one-handed INT at Iowa State. He’s really smart. Brown has seen time and earned the trust of the coaching staff.
Safety
JT Woods, Sr.
Jairon McVea, 6YR
Analysis: Woods is a ball hawking safety. He tied for the team lead with INTs with three in 2020. Woods just understands how to play run support. McVea is another walk on who earned a scholarship and provides great depth behind Woods. Experience matters in the secondary.
Safety
Christian Morgan, Sr.
Devin Neal, So.
Analysis: Morgan tied Woods for the team lead with INTs with three in 2020. Just another solid defender who has DB like cover skills when Baylor decides to double up somebody else. Neal is the newbie on the depth chart. The product from Lexington, KY earns a chance to show what he can offer.
Defensive Back
Raleigh Texada, 6YR.
AJ McCarty, R-Fr.
Analysis: The interesting dynamic here is that you have a polished veteran backed up by an unknown. That tells you how far McCarty grew within the offseason and spring ball. For whatever, Texada isn’t talked about as one of the top defensive backs in the Big 12. But he understands very well how to play the ball.
Special Teams
Look for place-kicking to remain the same with John Mayers on short field goal attempts and Noah Rauschenberg for the long attempts. Rauschenberg will also handle kickoff duties…Issac Power is a solid punter. He just needs to be a little more consistent…Trestan Ebner and Josh Fleeks are the punt and kickoff return specialists. Maybe the return game is where Fleeks can provide a spark…Baylor has two really good long snappers between Thor Rodoni and Gunnar Royer. Never underestimate that position’s value.
Publisher
Baylor released its first two-deep chart for the upcoming 2021 season. While so much can change between mid-July to the start of fall camp on Aug. 6 to the season opener on Sept. 4 at Texas State, SicEmSports provides its analysis of the positions.
As always, classification designations come with the reminder that there was an extra year of eligibility tacked on as the NCAA announced eligibility in 2020 would not count.
On Tuesday, we conclude with the defense and special teams
Defensive End
Cole Maxwell, Sr.
TJ Franklin, Jr.
Analysis: You’re going to find that this is probably going to be the defensive rotation across the front for the coming season with the exception of a couple. Maxwell played his way into this position but has been plagued by knee injuries in his career. Franklin likely will be one of the first off the bench types. Wouldn’t be surprised if he flips sides from time to time.
Nose Tackle
Apu Ika, So.
Chidi Ogbonnaya, Sr.
Analysis: This spot looks the best probably in the years your publisher has covered Baylor even when Bravvion Roy was there. Depth is solid. Size is electric. Ika’s spring was very impressive. The only question for Ika is how many snaps a game can he give this team? Weight issues have been brought up. Ogbonnaya is probably the starter if Ika doesn’t transfer from LSU.
Defensive End
Brayden Utley, Jr.
Rob Saulin, Sr.
Analysis: You have tip your cap to Utley who went from being a walk on to an impact player in 2020 to earning a scholarship earlier this year. He’s done it all on his own. Saulin has had some injury issues in the past. Hopefully, a clean year for him is one the horizon.
Jack
Ashton Logan, Sr.
Garmon Randolph, So.
Analysis: Logan is one of those players where you think at first, “he’s really that good?” Well, he earned the Jack starting position last year. Randolph’s development in that spot is intriguing. Listed at 6-7, when he plays, don’t think he won’t be used as a fourth pass rusher.
MLB
Dillon Doyle, Jr.
Matt Jones, So.
Analysis: Doyle adjusted quickly when he came from Iowa. He is the ideal middle linebacker because of his strength. He runs just well enough to pursue to the outside. Perhaps Jones has now found his place – he flipped from LB to DL in previous seasons – and is being groomed as the heir apparent.
WLB
Terrel Bernard, Sr.
Will Williams, So.
Analysis: Bernard is at his best when he is playing on the perimeter. His speed for and outside linebacker is pretty impressive. Now, can the All-Big 12 performer and the heart and soul of this defense stay healthy? That’s been his only issue. Williams had a great camp and put himself in position.
Star
Jalen Pitre, Sr.
Lorando Johnson, R-Fr.
Analysis: Pitre really shined in that role in 2020. Witness the consecutive pick 6s against Iowa State and Texas Tech. But he understand how to patrol the field with great instincts. Remember, Johnson was a late add to the 2020 roster. But the Lancaster (TX) product is a great talent. Should be interesting when he gets on the field.
Defensive Back
Kalon Barnes, Sr.
Zeke Brown, 6YR
Analysis: Time flies because it seems like yesterday Barnes just got to Baylor. Even when he was playing with a broken hand in 2020, Barnes never missed a beat. You’ll recall his great one-handed INT at Iowa State. He’s really smart. Brown has seen time and earned the trust of the coaching staff.
Safety
JT Woods, Sr.
Jairon McVea, 6YR
Analysis: Woods is a ball hawking safety. He tied for the team lead with INTs with three in 2020. Woods just understands how to play run support. McVea is another walk on who earned a scholarship and provides great depth behind Woods. Experience matters in the secondary.
Safety
Christian Morgan, Sr.
Devin Neal, So.
Analysis: Morgan tied Woods for the team lead with INTs with three in 2020. Just another solid defender who has DB like cover skills when Baylor decides to double up somebody else. Neal is the newbie on the depth chart. The product from Lexington, KY earns a chance to show what he can offer.
Defensive Back
Raleigh Texada, 6YR.
AJ McCarty, R-Fr.
Analysis: The interesting dynamic here is that you have a polished veteran backed up by an unknown. That tells you how far McCarty grew within the offseason and spring ball. For whatever, Texada isn’t talked about as one of the top defensive backs in the Big 12. But he understands very well how to play the ball.
Special Teams
Look for place-kicking to remain the same with John Mayers on short field goal attempts and Noah Rauschenberg for the long attempts. Rauschenberg will also handle kickoff duties…Issac Power is a solid punter. He just needs to be a little more consistent…Trestan Ebner and Josh Fleeks are the punt and kickoff return specialists. Maybe the return game is where Fleeks can provide a spark…Baylor has two really good long snappers between Thor Rodoni and Gunnar Royer. Never underestimate that position’s value.
