By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
Baylor released its first two-deep chart for the upcoming 2021 season last week at Big 12 media days. 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 under the direction of second-year Head Coach Dave Aranda.
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 Monday, we start with the offense.
Wide Receiver
Tyquan Thornton, Sr.
Jackson Gleeson, Jr.
Analysis: Thornton wins this because he has the track history of being successful and Gleeson has barely seen the field. But after the dismal 2020 season he had, the onus is on Thornton to make his senior year count.
Left tackle
Connor Galvin, Sr.
Elijah Ellis, So.
Analysis: For a unit that has taken more than its share of criticism over the years – deservedly so – this is the one spot where there is stability. Galvin has been reliable and pretty consistent. This is an important year for Ellis’ development.
Left guard
Khalil Keith, Sr. OR
Micah Mazzccua, R-FR
Analysis: Recall that Mazzccua was an early big win for the Baylor recruiting staff shortly after Aranda arrived. It should tell you something when a four-year letter winner and senior isn’t the presumed starter. If it works out, there’s probably a quiet hope that Mazzccua becomes the fixture in that position.
Center
Xavier Newman-Johnson, 5YR OR
Jacob Gall, Sr.
Analysis: Newman-Johnson played center during spring football. But Gall, a transfer from Buffalo, was brought in because he emerged as one of the best in the MAC and Pro Football Focus tabbed him as one of the top offensive linemen from 2021. Gall did not transfer to Baylor sit on the bench.
Right Guard
Grant Miller, Sr. OR
JohnCarlo Valentin, 5YR Sr. OR
Mose Jeffery, Sr.
Analysis: If Baylor wants to be a physical running football team, the question becomes who serves the best in the interior. Miller was known for his durability when he was at Vanderbilt. Valentin has been beset by injuries and just had trouble cracking the starting lineup. Jeffery needs to have a big camp. He started only against Kansas and then the finale against Oklahoma State when Baylor was missing half its roster for that game.
Right Tackle
Casey Phillips, Jr. OR
Gavin Byers, So.
Analysis: This could be the most interesting offensive line position battle to watch. Phillips has shown some good things at time. But he’s a suspect pass blocker. There are a lot of high hopes for Byers. At the very least, Byers should be in the rotation.
Wide Receiver
Josh Fleeks, Sr. OR
Drew Estrada, 6YR
Analysis: Had Estrada, the Dartmouth transfer, not been dealing with a hamstring issue during camp, this position probably could have been locked. Fleeks’ career has been a tease from the standpoint you see the skill set and the speed. However, you don’t find the consistency. Besides the injury, Estrada’s biggest issue is that he hasn’t seen the field since 2019. The Ivy League didn’t play in 2020.
Wide Receiver
R.J. Sneed, Sr.
Jaylen Ellis, So.
Analysis: One of the few positions where there is little doubt. Thanks to his circus catches, Sneed was truly the only dependable receiver in 2020. The only thing to wonder is if he will become that alpha that this position group really needs. Ellis is over a pretty bad knee injury. Should be interesting to finally see how he can contribute.
Tight End
Ben Sims, Jr.
Christoph Henle, Jr. OR
Drake Dabney, So.
Analysis: Sims has earned the right to be the No. 1 tight end in this offense. He was arguably the second best receiver behind Sneed. He developed a great chemistry with Charlie Brewer. Now, it’s a matter of him and the new QB or QBs. While Henle has been a good soldier, Dabney is the backup in my view. He revealed that in the second half of 2020.
Running Back
Trestan Ebner, 5YR OR
Abram Smith, Sr.
Taye McWilliams, So.
Analysis: In this era of football, different style running backs are used for different causes. Truthfully, the starter is the one who gets the first series and that’s it. In this case, all three should see the field for whatever reason. Ebner can also be split out. Smith will be the downhill runner and short-yardage back. McWilliams can fashion a little of everything.
Quarterback
Gerry Bohanon, Jr. OR
Jacob Zeno, So. OR
Blake Shapen, R-FR
Analysis: Saving the best for last. From the opening of fall camp through the week leading up to Texas State, all eyes will be on this position. Each brings something different. Bohanon has improved as a passer. Shapen can freelance when something breaks down. Zeno has the best arm. But what this battle will come down to is who responds to which signal caller the best. Still believe this position battle may not be settled until sometime during the early portion of the season.
Tuesday is the defense.
Publisher
Baylor released its first two-deep chart for the upcoming 2021 season last week at Big 12 media days. 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 under the direction of second-year Head Coach Dave Aranda.
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 Monday, we start with the offense.
Wide Receiver
Tyquan Thornton, Sr.
Jackson Gleeson, Jr.
Analysis: Thornton wins this because he has the track history of being successful and Gleeson has barely seen the field. But after the dismal 2020 season he had, the onus is on Thornton to make his senior year count.
Left tackle
Connor Galvin, Sr.
Elijah Ellis, So.
Analysis: For a unit that has taken more than its share of criticism over the years – deservedly so – this is the one spot where there is stability. Galvin has been reliable and pretty consistent. This is an important year for Ellis’ development.
Left guard
Khalil Keith, Sr. OR
Micah Mazzccua, R-FR
Analysis: Recall that Mazzccua was an early big win for the Baylor recruiting staff shortly after Aranda arrived. It should tell you something when a four-year letter winner and senior isn’t the presumed starter. If it works out, there’s probably a quiet hope that Mazzccua becomes the fixture in that position.
Center
Xavier Newman-Johnson, 5YR OR
Jacob Gall, Sr.
Analysis: Newman-Johnson played center during spring football. But Gall, a transfer from Buffalo, was brought in because he emerged as one of the best in the MAC and Pro Football Focus tabbed him as one of the top offensive linemen from 2021. Gall did not transfer to Baylor sit on the bench.
Right Guard
Grant Miller, Sr. OR
JohnCarlo Valentin, 5YR Sr. OR
Mose Jeffery, Sr.
Analysis: If Baylor wants to be a physical running football team, the question becomes who serves the best in the interior. Miller was known for his durability when he was at Vanderbilt. Valentin has been beset by injuries and just had trouble cracking the starting lineup. Jeffery needs to have a big camp. He started only against Kansas and then the finale against Oklahoma State when Baylor was missing half its roster for that game.
Right Tackle
Casey Phillips, Jr. OR
Gavin Byers, So.
Analysis: This could be the most interesting offensive line position battle to watch. Phillips has shown some good things at time. But he’s a suspect pass blocker. There are a lot of high hopes for Byers. At the very least, Byers should be in the rotation.
Wide Receiver
Josh Fleeks, Sr. OR
Drew Estrada, 6YR
Analysis: Had Estrada, the Dartmouth transfer, not been dealing with a hamstring issue during camp, this position probably could have been locked. Fleeks’ career has been a tease from the standpoint you see the skill set and the speed. However, you don’t find the consistency. Besides the injury, Estrada’s biggest issue is that he hasn’t seen the field since 2019. The Ivy League didn’t play in 2020.
Wide Receiver
R.J. Sneed, Sr.
Jaylen Ellis, So.
Analysis: One of the few positions where there is little doubt. Thanks to his circus catches, Sneed was truly the only dependable receiver in 2020. The only thing to wonder is if he will become that alpha that this position group really needs. Ellis is over a pretty bad knee injury. Should be interesting to finally see how he can contribute.
Tight End
Ben Sims, Jr.
Christoph Henle, Jr. OR
Drake Dabney, So.
Analysis: Sims has earned the right to be the No. 1 tight end in this offense. He was arguably the second best receiver behind Sneed. He developed a great chemistry with Charlie Brewer. Now, it’s a matter of him and the new QB or QBs. While Henle has been a good soldier, Dabney is the backup in my view. He revealed that in the second half of 2020.
Running Back
Trestan Ebner, 5YR OR
Abram Smith, Sr.
Taye McWilliams, So.
Analysis: In this era of football, different style running backs are used for different causes. Truthfully, the starter is the one who gets the first series and that’s it. In this case, all three should see the field for whatever reason. Ebner can also be split out. Smith will be the downhill runner and short-yardage back. McWilliams can fashion a little of everything.
Quarterback
Gerry Bohanon, Jr. OR
Jacob Zeno, So. OR
Blake Shapen, R-FR
Analysis: Saving the best for last. From the opening of fall camp through the week leading up to Texas State, all eyes will be on this position. Each brings something different. Bohanon has improved as a passer. Shapen can freelance when something breaks down. Zeno has the best arm. But what this battle will come down to is who responds to which signal caller the best. Still believe this position battle may not be settled until sometime during the early portion of the season.
Tuesday is the defense.
