By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
Baylor’s primary recruiting creed is person over player. That’s not just words. It’s actions.
When Fort Bend Ridge Point 2023 defensive tackle DK Kalu suffered a season ending right knee injury early in the 2021 season, Kalu learned the value of the relationship.
“They actually all reached out, even coach Aranda, letting me know they were praying for me and a good recovery,’’ Kalu said. “That was also a huge thing because they didn’t back down like a lot of other schools when I got a serious injury. They also kept asking me how I was doing mentally during the rehab process.”
That wasn’t the reason why Kalu announced his commitment to Baylor on Tuesday. But it just added to the list of why he is the 20th member of the class.
Kalu chose the Bears over SMU, Iowa State and Kansas State. Baylor sees him as a straight up defensive tackle and nose guard. Kalu took his official visit to Waco June 10.
“I really knew ever since I visited a year ago and nothing has come close to it,’’ Kalu said. “The family vibe and the way coach [Dennis Johnson] was coaching me up. It’s real good. Even the players say he is a real cool coach that they even play the PlayStation with.’’
Kalu is the third defensive lineman to the class. He joins Fort Bend Marshall defensive end Trent Thomas and La Grange defensive end Jaren Woods. The Bears still have more to add to that position group.
When Kalu said he knew Baylor was for him a year ago, he wasn’t kidding. Baylor was the only Jan. 30 Junior Day event he attended. And when he was asked if there was anything he could take from that event, he said nothing.
Kalu suffered a torn meniscus and MCL injury in the second week of the season when a teammate fell on to him during a play. That required surgery. He progressed through it all. Doctors cleared him in February.
A strong lower torso with a great base, Kalu’s defense at Ridge Point operates out of the same 3-4 look as Baylor. When he watched the 2021 spring game, he focused on Apu Ika.
“The nose showed me that a normal bull rush is actually very useful at times,’’ Kalu said then. “It was cool seeing them playing the same defense at such a higher level.’
A 3-star prospect with a 5.7 rating, Kalu is the No. 18 rated defensive tackle in the country and the No. 63 prospect in Texas. He is slated to arrive at Baylor in June, 2023.
Publisher
Baylor’s primary recruiting creed is person over player. That’s not just words. It’s actions.
When Fort Bend Ridge Point 2023 defensive tackle DK Kalu suffered a season ending right knee injury early in the 2021 season, Kalu learned the value of the relationship.
“They actually all reached out, even coach Aranda, letting me know they were praying for me and a good recovery,’’ Kalu said. “That was also a huge thing because they didn’t back down like a lot of other schools when I got a serious injury. They also kept asking me how I was doing mentally during the rehab process.”
That wasn’t the reason why Kalu announced his commitment to Baylor on Tuesday. But it just added to the list of why he is the 20th member of the class.
Kalu chose the Bears over SMU, Iowa State and Kansas State. Baylor sees him as a straight up defensive tackle and nose guard. Kalu took his official visit to Waco June 10.
“I really knew ever since I visited a year ago and nothing has come close to it,’’ Kalu said. “The family vibe and the way coach [Dennis Johnson] was coaching me up. It’s real good. Even the players say he is a real cool coach that they even play the PlayStation with.’’
Kalu is the third defensive lineman to the class. He joins Fort Bend Marshall defensive end Trent Thomas and La Grange defensive end Jaren Woods. The Bears still have more to add to that position group.
When Kalu said he knew Baylor was for him a year ago, he wasn’t kidding. Baylor was the only Jan. 30 Junior Day event he attended. And when he was asked if there was anything he could take from that event, he said nothing.
Kalu suffered a torn meniscus and MCL injury in the second week of the season when a teammate fell on to him during a play. That required surgery. He progressed through it all. Doctors cleared him in February.
A strong lower torso with a great base, Kalu’s defense at Ridge Point operates out of the same 3-4 look as Baylor. When he watched the 2021 spring game, he focused on Apu Ika.
“The nose showed me that a normal bull rush is actually very useful at times,’’ Kalu said then. “It was cool seeing them playing the same defense at such a higher level.’
A 3-star prospect with a 5.7 rating, Kalu is the No. 18 rated defensive tackle in the country and the No. 63 prospect in Texas. He is slated to arrive at Baylor in June, 2023.
