By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
With the 2020 season in the books, there is a lot of internal evaluation first-year head coach Dave Aranda and his staff must conduct regarding themselves, the way they do things and the construction of this roster.
The roster is make or break for any staff. But it’s a little more clogged because the NCAA announced that 2020 would not count toward a year of eligibility for anyone.
That doesn’t mean everyone is guaranteed a chance to return. There already has been some movement with linebacker Charlie Brewer, wide receiver Yusuf Terry, offensive lineman Davis DiVall, linebacker/safety Solo Turner and tight end Logan Compton already moving into the portal.
Another tricky situation is the senior class. Going into the season, Baylor carried 12 scholarship seniors. With Brewer leaving and linebacker/defensive end William Bradley-King headed to the Senior Bowl that leaves 10. Their return is not guaranteed. Movement should be pretty rapid over the coming weeks. On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the highest chance to return, we rate the chances of each senior being a member of the 2021 roster.
John Lovett, RB: A season that started with so much promise ended with him pretty much no factor after the Texas game on Oct. 24. Threatening to opt out, then being convinced to return and then suffering a possible concussion against TCU all added up. His last appearance was Nov. 28 against Kansas State.
Return chances: 1
UPDATE: Lovett announced Monday afternoon he will pursue his grad transfer year at another location
Trestan Ebner, RB: He was one of the two backs who nearly walked out on the program after Texas. Ebner appeared to get himself back the good graces of his teammates. He was important in the return game. However, he just didn’t emerge into that slash type of player he was in 2019. If he is invited to return in 2021, it could be in a reduced role.
Return chances: 4
Raleigh Texada, DB: You can never have enough veterans in the secondary to help younger players grow into their roles. He started all nine games and drew the toughest assignment. Unless Texada wants to make a run at the draft, he should have a spot available if he wants it.
Return chances: 6
Jared Atkinson, WR: A solid member of the roster but his playing time opportunities
were few and far between. He’s probably the one who has seen more than most since he was recruited by Art Briles. Atkinson is a college graduate. But if he couldn’t get on the field that much in a 2-win season…
Return chances: 2
Gunnar Royer, LS: You can never have enough quality at a position that needs consistency for the kicking game. Royer did what was asked to do this year. These are the players that have secret value.
Return chances: 7
Jairon McVea, S: McVea earned his scholarship in each of the last two seasons and added depth to the secondary that became one of the stronger units on the field. Baylor’s 2021 signing class already has four members on it. There’s a chance more could be coming.
Return chances: 5
Xavier Newman-Johnson, OL: You’ll remember he didn’t play the first game of the season for unspecified reasons. Then he was dealing with injuries that caused him to miss the last two games against Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. There definitely was some frustration.
Return chances: 4
Blake Bedier, RT: When he arrived at Baylor two years ago, there was a lot of excitement because his rawness was only offset by his athletic ability. As it turned out, he just wasn’t effective. Bedier’s chances of returning would only be in a support role as the offensive line needs an overhaul.
Return chances: 3
Johncarlo Valetin, OL: Another player who could just not work his way into the two-deep at any point of the 2020 season. Injuries curtailed his 2019. But with so many offensive linemen, Baylor bringing in three to the 2021 class and possibly looking for more, it doesn’t look promising.
Return chances: 1
Jake Burton, OL: It’s pretty safe to say that the UCLA transfer did not add the quick infusion that this offensive line needed to become consistent. Obviously, his season was turned around because he was moved because of need. Instead of playing his natural position, right tackle, he was moved to right guard. Burton was frequently penalized. Chances are, he’s looking for an NFL future.
Return chances: 2
Publisher
With the 2020 season in the books, there is a lot of internal evaluation first-year head coach Dave Aranda and his staff must conduct regarding themselves, the way they do things and the construction of this roster.
The roster is make or break for any staff. But it’s a little more clogged because the NCAA announced that 2020 would not count toward a year of eligibility for anyone.
That doesn’t mean everyone is guaranteed a chance to return. There already has been some movement with linebacker Charlie Brewer, wide receiver Yusuf Terry, offensive lineman Davis DiVall, linebacker/safety Solo Turner and tight end Logan Compton already moving into the portal.
Another tricky situation is the senior class. Going into the season, Baylor carried 12 scholarship seniors. With Brewer leaving and linebacker/defensive end William Bradley-King headed to the Senior Bowl that leaves 10. Their return is not guaranteed. Movement should be pretty rapid over the coming weeks. On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the highest chance to return, we rate the chances of each senior being a member of the 2021 roster.
John Lovett, RB: A season that started with so much promise ended with him pretty much no factor after the Texas game on Oct. 24. Threatening to opt out, then being convinced to return and then suffering a possible concussion against TCU all added up. His last appearance was Nov. 28 against Kansas State.
Return chances: 1
UPDATE: Lovett announced Monday afternoon he will pursue his grad transfer year at another location
Trestan Ebner, RB: He was one of the two backs who nearly walked out on the program after Texas. Ebner appeared to get himself back the good graces of his teammates. He was important in the return game. However, he just didn’t emerge into that slash type of player he was in 2019. If he is invited to return in 2021, it could be in a reduced role.
Return chances: 4
Raleigh Texada, DB: You can never have enough veterans in the secondary to help younger players grow into their roles. He started all nine games and drew the toughest assignment. Unless Texada wants to make a run at the draft, he should have a spot available if he wants it.
Return chances: 6
Jared Atkinson, WR: A solid member of the roster but his playing time opportunities
were few and far between. He’s probably the one who has seen more than most since he was recruited by Art Briles. Atkinson is a college graduate. But if he couldn’t get on the field that much in a 2-win season…
Return chances: 2
Gunnar Royer, LS: You can never have enough quality at a position that needs consistency for the kicking game. Royer did what was asked to do this year. These are the players that have secret value.
Return chances: 7
Jairon McVea, S: McVea earned his scholarship in each of the last two seasons and added depth to the secondary that became one of the stronger units on the field. Baylor’s 2021 signing class already has four members on it. There’s a chance more could be coming.
Return chances: 5
Xavier Newman-Johnson, OL: You’ll remember he didn’t play the first game of the season for unspecified reasons. Then he was dealing with injuries that caused him to miss the last two games against Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. There definitely was some frustration.
Return chances: 4
Blake Bedier, RT: When he arrived at Baylor two years ago, there was a lot of excitement because his rawness was only offset by his athletic ability. As it turned out, he just wasn’t effective. Bedier’s chances of returning would only be in a support role as the offensive line needs an overhaul.
Return chances: 3
Johncarlo Valetin, OL: Another player who could just not work his way into the two-deep at any point of the 2020 season. Injuries curtailed his 2019. But with so many offensive linemen, Baylor bringing in three to the 2021 class and possibly looking for more, it doesn’t look promising.
Return chances: 1
Jake Burton, OL: It’s pretty safe to say that the UCLA transfer did not add the quick infusion that this offensive line needed to become consistent. Obviously, his season was turned around because he was moved because of need. Instead of playing his natural position, right tackle, he was moved to right guard. Burton was frequently penalized. Chances are, he’s looking for an NFL future.
Return chances: 2
