By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
It started with a wave and then later a text.
Local Lawrence (KS) talent Calvin Clements was a guest of the Jayhawks back in September back when they played host to Baylor.
As Baylor’s decisive win ended, Clements and Baylor offensive line coach Eric Mateos made contact. From there, Baylor’s recruitment in KU’s backyard.
It culminated Thursday when the 3-star offensive tackle became the 21st member of the 2023 class. Clements committed to Baylor. He is expected to arrive in January 2023.
“He also came to one of my games and saw that I could move laterally very well and was fast and aggressive,’’ Clements said. “Everything just grew on me. I went down on Junior Day [Jan. 30]. That’s when I had a good feel for things. It was a genuine place.’’
Clements, who took his official visit to Baylor this past weekend, picked the Bears over Kansas and Kansas State previous two weekends. Half of Baylor’s four offensive line commits are not from Texas. Sean Thompkins, who committed this past Sunday, is from Georgia.
There is pressure for the top Kansas players to remain in the state. It’s a little tougher for someone like Clements whose high school is about 15 minutes away from the KU campus.
“It was a tough decision,’’ Clements said. “I had great relationships with the other two staffs. But I think the draw for me was who would help me the most develop as a person and a player. And I thought of Baylor.
“Really, the personal values and the genuine feel of the program and how supportive they were mattered. It was how they treat the players day after day. On the last day of the official visit, it set in. I told coach [Dave Aranda] I wanted to be a part of it but wanted to wait a day or two just to be sure. When I told the coaches they were super excited.’’
Clements is coming off a fracture in his left ankle. That happened on the final game of the season in Free State’s playoff loss. He had a plate and two screws placed in them.
That should not serve as any difficulty for him for the upcoming season much less his future in Waco. He likes the RVO offense and the ability for holes to be available for backs on each play.
“I’m definitely intrigued by the offense,’’ Clements said. “It’s active and athletic. And you’re moving. Coach Mateos said he wants to put his top five offensive lineman on the field.’’
Clements is the No. 8 player in Kansas.
Publisher
It started with a wave and then later a text.
Local Lawrence (KS) talent Calvin Clements was a guest of the Jayhawks back in September back when they played host to Baylor.
As Baylor’s decisive win ended, Clements and Baylor offensive line coach Eric Mateos made contact. From there, Baylor’s recruitment in KU’s backyard.
It culminated Thursday when the 3-star offensive tackle became the 21st member of the 2023 class. Clements committed to Baylor. He is expected to arrive in January 2023.
“He also came to one of my games and saw that I could move laterally very well and was fast and aggressive,’’ Clements said. “Everything just grew on me. I went down on Junior Day [Jan. 30]. That’s when I had a good feel for things. It was a genuine place.’’
Clements, who took his official visit to Baylor this past weekend, picked the Bears over Kansas and Kansas State previous two weekends. Half of Baylor’s four offensive line commits are not from Texas. Sean Thompkins, who committed this past Sunday, is from Georgia.
There is pressure for the top Kansas players to remain in the state. It’s a little tougher for someone like Clements whose high school is about 15 minutes away from the KU campus.
“It was a tough decision,’’ Clements said. “I had great relationships with the other two staffs. But I think the draw for me was who would help me the most develop as a person and a player. And I thought of Baylor.
“Really, the personal values and the genuine feel of the program and how supportive they were mattered. It was how they treat the players day after day. On the last day of the official visit, it set in. I told coach [Dave Aranda] I wanted to be a part of it but wanted to wait a day or two just to be sure. When I told the coaches they were super excited.’’
Clements is coming off a fracture in his left ankle. That happened on the final game of the season in Free State’s playoff loss. He had a plate and two screws placed in them.
That should not serve as any difficulty for him for the upcoming season much less his future in Waco. He likes the RVO offense and the ability for holes to be available for backs on each play.
“I’m definitely intrigued by the offense,’’ Clements said. “It’s active and athletic. And you’re moving. Coach Mateos said he wants to put his top five offensive lineman on the field.’’
Clements is the No. 8 player in Kansas.
