The Bells and Whistles Version
By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
Baylor’s spring football season began on March 22. The Spring Game is April 23 at McLane Stadium.
As the 15-practice schedule gets into a rhythm, there’s no better time than to start looking at the Bears position by position to see how things unfold.
What used to be a position that was traditionally labeled (and rightfully earned) as one of the weakest positions in the program flipped the script. The offensive line has turned into one of the best units in all of college football.
Through a mix transfers, new philosophy and position coach in Eric Mateos who is quickly rising through the ranks, Baylor’s offensive line emerged as the anchor to this team.
The offseason was also good to this program as key contributors announced their returns for another season. Baylor will be returning four of the five starters from the Big 12 championship team.
Let’s take a look at the offensive line room.
Connor Heffernan, 6-4, 283, RSFR (in 2022), Georgetown
2021 Stats: Redshirted
Recruiting: Was a 3-star recruit with a 5.7 rating
Jackson Kimble, 6-3, 303, Senior (in 2022), Southlake Carroll
2021 Stats: Appeared in four games
Recruiting: Was a 3-star recruit with a 5.7 rating
Micah Mazzccua, 6-4, 326, Sophomore (in 2022), Philadelphia (St. Francis Academy)
2021 Stats: Appeared in eight games
Recruiting: Was a 3-star recruit with a 5.7 rating
Gavin Byers, 6-5, 320, Junior (in 2022), Colleyville Heritage
2021 Stats: Appeared in 13 games (Didn’t play against TCU)
Recruiting: Was a 3-star recruit with a 5.5 rating
Ryan Lengyel, 6-5, 285 RSFR (in 2022), Dallas Jesuit
2021: Redshirted
Recruiting: Was a 3-star recruit with a 5.6 rating
Grant Miller, 6-4, 309, Super Senior (in 2022), Fort Lauderdale (FL) St. Thomas Aquinas/Vanderbilt
2021 Stats: Appeared in all 14 games; Caught one pass for -2 yards
Recruiting: Was a 3-star recruit with a 5.5 rating
Khalil Keith, 6-5, 329, Super Senior (in 2022), Alpine (AL) Winterboro
2021 Stats: Appeared in 11 games
Recruiting: Was a 3-star recruit with a 5.5 rating
Jacob Gall, 6-2, 305, Super Senior (in 2022), Cincinnati Moeller/Buffalo
2021 Stats: Appeared in all 14 games and collected one tackle
Recruiting: Was unrated
Mose Jeffery, 6-4, 320, Super Senior (in 2022), Longview Pine Tree/Kilgore College
2021 Stats: Appeared in 11 games
Recruiting: Was a 2-star recruit with a 5.3 rating
George Maile, 6-3, 300, Freshman (in 2022), South Jordan Bingham (UT)
2021 Stats: January 2022 arrival
Recruiting: Was a 3-star recruit with a 5.7 rating
Elijah Ellis, 6-6, 320, Junior (in 2022), Paris
2021 Stats: Appeared in two games
Recruiting: Was a 2-star recruit with a 5.4 rating
Connor Galvin, 6-7, 310, Super Senior (in 2022), Katy
2021 Stats: Appeared in all 14 games
Recruiting: Was a 3-star recruit with a 5.6 rating
Tate Williams, 6-4, 290, RSFR (in 2022), Wall
2021 Stats: Did not appear in any games
Recruiting: Was a 3-star recruit with a 5.6 rating
Also on the roster: Clayton Collier (6-3, 280, RSFR, Walk-on, Frisco Legacy Christian Academy); MJ Ruhman (6-5, 270, RSFR, Walk-on, The Woodlands)
2022 Signees: Alvin Ebosele, Coppell; Kaden Sieracki, The Woodlands; Bryce Simpson, Cy Ranch; Timothy Dawn, Camden (AR) Fairview; Coleton Price, Bowie (All summer arrivals)
A look back to 2021
When everything began at Texas State over Labor Day weekend, Baylor’s position of question began with Galvin, Byers, Gall, Miller and Keith. In the Sugar Bowl against Ole Miss, it was Galvin at left tackle, the now graduated Xavier Newman-Johnson at left guard, Gall at center, Miller at right guard and Keith at right tackle.
Not much really changed from Game 1 to Game 14. Continuity was essential for this group to become a unit that would be dependable and bring a level of physicality that was needed in order for the RVO to execute.
Baylor was shrewd in its portal OL choices. Once Gall settled in at center and Miller at right guard everything developed…probably better than hoped.
This offense was balanced at 219 rushing yard and 203 passing yards per game. Most importantly, BU quarterbacks sacked only 18 times.
Big Question in the Spring
If you presume four of the returning starting five in the Sugar Bowl is going to be the same when the season begins Sept. 3 against Albany, then the only question is going to be who lines up to the inside of Galvin.
Byers, Mazzccua and Jeffery were the top choices coming off the bench and play in the rotation last fall. Maybe one of those three is destined to take over there. What Mateos has to decide is if he will see enough in the spring to make the call on that.
However, he’s also going to have to work in a couple of new faces to develop a rotation so it can go three or four deep after the starters.
One Guy
Mazzccua was pointed out in the spring football breakout story as one of the five who could emerge and take that spot.
The important thing is finding someone who can be a great A gap blocker and create space for a back and then pick up a blitzing linebacker up the middle. Byers and Jeffery all have done their share to be valued in how this line performs.
But consider this move for Mazzccua could also be about the future and setting up to be an anchor. When 2022 is done so are Galvin, Gall, Miller and Keith. Jeffery’s career also ends after this season.
Don’t be surprised whoever takes the job at left guard could also be groomed to slide to left tackle in 2023. All it requires…is a jump to the left (Fill in your own Rocky Horror Picture Show line there).
Early Forecast
You know the credit card commercial that states making the decision to switch to it is the easiest in the history of making decisions.
Well, there shouldn’t be any overthinking on who will be where this fall. Minus left guard, Baylor’s 2022 offensive line should look like it did for the Sugar Bowl.
Perhaps there could be some competition for the right tackle spot. But barring health issues – and that unit was very fortunate last fall – you don’t fix what isn’t broken.
By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
Baylor’s spring football season began on March 22. The Spring Game is April 23 at McLane Stadium.
As the 15-practice schedule gets into a rhythm, there’s no better time than to start looking at the Bears position by position to see how things unfold.
What used to be a position that was traditionally labeled (and rightfully earned) as one of the weakest positions in the program flipped the script. The offensive line has turned into one of the best units in all of college football.
Through a mix transfers, new philosophy and position coach in Eric Mateos who is quickly rising through the ranks, Baylor’s offensive line emerged as the anchor to this team.
The offseason was also good to this program as key contributors announced their returns for another season. Baylor will be returning four of the five starters from the Big 12 championship team.
Let’s take a look at the offensive line room.
Connor Heffernan, 6-4, 283, RSFR (in 2022), Georgetown
2021 Stats: Redshirted
Recruiting: Was a 3-star recruit with a 5.7 rating
Jackson Kimble, 6-3, 303, Senior (in 2022), Southlake Carroll
2021 Stats: Appeared in four games
Recruiting: Was a 3-star recruit with a 5.7 rating
Micah Mazzccua, 6-4, 326, Sophomore (in 2022), Philadelphia (St. Francis Academy)
2021 Stats: Appeared in eight games
Recruiting: Was a 3-star recruit with a 5.7 rating
Gavin Byers, 6-5, 320, Junior (in 2022), Colleyville Heritage
2021 Stats: Appeared in 13 games (Didn’t play against TCU)
Recruiting: Was a 3-star recruit with a 5.5 rating
Ryan Lengyel, 6-5, 285 RSFR (in 2022), Dallas Jesuit
2021: Redshirted
Recruiting: Was a 3-star recruit with a 5.6 rating
Grant Miller, 6-4, 309, Super Senior (in 2022), Fort Lauderdale (FL) St. Thomas Aquinas/Vanderbilt
2021 Stats: Appeared in all 14 games; Caught one pass for -2 yards
Recruiting: Was a 3-star recruit with a 5.5 rating
Khalil Keith, 6-5, 329, Super Senior (in 2022), Alpine (AL) Winterboro
2021 Stats: Appeared in 11 games
Recruiting: Was a 3-star recruit with a 5.5 rating
Jacob Gall, 6-2, 305, Super Senior (in 2022), Cincinnati Moeller/Buffalo
2021 Stats: Appeared in all 14 games and collected one tackle
Recruiting: Was unrated
Mose Jeffery, 6-4, 320, Super Senior (in 2022), Longview Pine Tree/Kilgore College
2021 Stats: Appeared in 11 games
Recruiting: Was a 2-star recruit with a 5.3 rating
George Maile, 6-3, 300, Freshman (in 2022), South Jordan Bingham (UT)
2021 Stats: January 2022 arrival
Recruiting: Was a 3-star recruit with a 5.7 rating
Elijah Ellis, 6-6, 320, Junior (in 2022), Paris
2021 Stats: Appeared in two games
Recruiting: Was a 2-star recruit with a 5.4 rating
Connor Galvin, 6-7, 310, Super Senior (in 2022), Katy
2021 Stats: Appeared in all 14 games
Recruiting: Was a 3-star recruit with a 5.6 rating
Tate Williams, 6-4, 290, RSFR (in 2022), Wall
2021 Stats: Did not appear in any games
Recruiting: Was a 3-star recruit with a 5.6 rating
Also on the roster: Clayton Collier (6-3, 280, RSFR, Walk-on, Frisco Legacy Christian Academy); MJ Ruhman (6-5, 270, RSFR, Walk-on, The Woodlands)
2022 Signees: Alvin Ebosele, Coppell; Kaden Sieracki, The Woodlands; Bryce Simpson, Cy Ranch; Timothy Dawn, Camden (AR) Fairview; Coleton Price, Bowie (All summer arrivals)
A look back to 2021
When everything began at Texas State over Labor Day weekend, Baylor’s position of question began with Galvin, Byers, Gall, Miller and Keith. In the Sugar Bowl against Ole Miss, it was Galvin at left tackle, the now graduated Xavier Newman-Johnson at left guard, Gall at center, Miller at right guard and Keith at right tackle.
Not much really changed from Game 1 to Game 14. Continuity was essential for this group to become a unit that would be dependable and bring a level of physicality that was needed in order for the RVO to execute.
Baylor was shrewd in its portal OL choices. Once Gall settled in at center and Miller at right guard everything developed…probably better than hoped.
This offense was balanced at 219 rushing yard and 203 passing yards per game. Most importantly, BU quarterbacks sacked only 18 times.
Big Question in the Spring
If you presume four of the returning starting five in the Sugar Bowl is going to be the same when the season begins Sept. 3 against Albany, then the only question is going to be who lines up to the inside of Galvin.
Byers, Mazzccua and Jeffery were the top choices coming off the bench and play in the rotation last fall. Maybe one of those three is destined to take over there. What Mateos has to decide is if he will see enough in the spring to make the call on that.
However, he’s also going to have to work in a couple of new faces to develop a rotation so it can go three or four deep after the starters.
One Guy
Mazzccua was pointed out in the spring football breakout story as one of the five who could emerge and take that spot.
The important thing is finding someone who can be a great A gap blocker and create space for a back and then pick up a blitzing linebacker up the middle. Byers and Jeffery all have done their share to be valued in how this line performs.
But consider this move for Mazzccua could also be about the future and setting up to be an anchor. When 2022 is done so are Galvin, Gall, Miller and Keith. Jeffery’s career also ends after this season.
Don’t be surprised whoever takes the job at left guard could also be groomed to slide to left tackle in 2023. All it requires…is a jump to the left (Fill in your own Rocky Horror Picture Show line there).
Early Forecast
You know the credit card commercial that states making the decision to switch to it is the easiest in the history of making decisions.
Well, there shouldn’t be any overthinking on who will be where this fall. Minus left guard, Baylor’s 2022 offensive line should look like it did for the Sugar Bowl.
Perhaps there could be some competition for the right tackle spot. But barring health issues – and that unit was very fortunate last fall – you don’t fix what isn’t broken.
