By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
With Baylor adding so many new pieces to the 2023 football roster through the NCAA transfer portal, SicEmSports provides a daily series of breaking down each of these new members and how they fit into the program moving forward.
Jake Roberts
Pos.: TE
School: UNT
Ht./Wt.: 6-5, 250
Remaining Eligibility: 2 years
What he brings: Length, sure hands and an understanding of how tight ends can be threats in an offense is why Roberts has the potential to be a fit for this Baylor offense. It hasn’t been unusual for offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes to go with three in one set. But he wants one to be the leading pass catcher. Roberts offers a track record of being reliable. During the 2022 season, he had 28 receptions for 394 yards and three scores. For a tight end to average 14 yards per catch – they’re typically in the 10-11 range – there is some athleticism involved.
What are the concerns: All of this was accomplished against a G5 schedule from Conference USA where the caliber of opponent for that level was good but far different from what Roberts will encounter in the Big 12 schedule. That schedule is also going to involve reigning two-time PAC 12 champion Utah. North Texas did not face a P5 team in 2022. It’s going to be a matter of being stronger, quicker and more physical than the way he played in Denton. That’s just the reality for any G5 player moving up to P5. The speed is also different. Much different.
How he helps the room: Baylor has a young room of tight ends who won’t be ready. The ones who should be are Drake Dabney who is returning from a broken leg suffered against Texas Tech in late October. Dabney had shown signs of being a good pass catcher and physical blocker. Then there’s sophomore Kelsey Johnson who played in 10 games and made four starts with nine receptions. Walk on Gavin Yates has been used in special situations. Roberts serves as a bridge for youngsters Cody Mladenka who redshirted along with 2023 signees and January arrivals Hawkins Polley and Matthew Klopfenstein.
2023 Expectations: With Ben Sims now graduated, it’s thought that Roberts can slide into that role and be a performer in the passing game and be physical enough to chip that oncoming defensive end or pick up the linebacker or safety coming off the edge on a blitz. Roberts has all of the tools that Sims had. That first game against Texas State should be a good way to ease him into the system. Utah will be a test of where he is and what adjustments he needs to make.
Publisher
With Baylor adding so many new pieces to the 2023 football roster through the NCAA transfer portal, SicEmSports provides a daily series of breaking down each of these new members and how they fit into the program moving forward.
Jake Roberts
Pos.: TE
School: UNT
Ht./Wt.: 6-5, 250
Remaining Eligibility: 2 years
What he brings: Length, sure hands and an understanding of how tight ends can be threats in an offense is why Roberts has the potential to be a fit for this Baylor offense. It hasn’t been unusual for offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes to go with three in one set. But he wants one to be the leading pass catcher. Roberts offers a track record of being reliable. During the 2022 season, he had 28 receptions for 394 yards and three scores. For a tight end to average 14 yards per catch – they’re typically in the 10-11 range – there is some athleticism involved.
What are the concerns: All of this was accomplished against a G5 schedule from Conference USA where the caliber of opponent for that level was good but far different from what Roberts will encounter in the Big 12 schedule. That schedule is also going to involve reigning two-time PAC 12 champion Utah. North Texas did not face a P5 team in 2022. It’s going to be a matter of being stronger, quicker and more physical than the way he played in Denton. That’s just the reality for any G5 player moving up to P5. The speed is also different. Much different.
How he helps the room: Baylor has a young room of tight ends who won’t be ready. The ones who should be are Drake Dabney who is returning from a broken leg suffered against Texas Tech in late October. Dabney had shown signs of being a good pass catcher and physical blocker. Then there’s sophomore Kelsey Johnson who played in 10 games and made four starts with nine receptions. Walk on Gavin Yates has been used in special situations. Roberts serves as a bridge for youngsters Cody Mladenka who redshirted along with 2023 signees and January arrivals Hawkins Polley and Matthew Klopfenstein.
2023 Expectations: With Ben Sims now graduated, it’s thought that Roberts can slide into that role and be a performer in the passing game and be physical enough to chip that oncoming defensive end or pick up the linebacker or safety coming off the edge on a blitz. Roberts has all of the tools that Sims had. That first game against Texas State should be a good way to ease him into the system. Utah will be a test of where he is and what adjustments he needs to make.
