By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
Baylor’s future defensive front got the lift it needed on Monday.
Former LSU nose tackle Siaki Ika announced on social media that he was transferring to Baylor. A Salt Lake City, native, Ika will have three years of eligibility remaining plus a redshirt.
At this time, it’s not clear if Baylor would need to seek a waiver for Ika to have him eligible for the 2021 season. But the odds seem to favor that move if one is required. Ika is expected to arrive in January.
Ika (6-4, 354) already has 18 months of being around a college football program. He enrolled at LSU back in January, 2019. He contributed to the Tigers’ run to the 2019 National Championship playing in 13 games and recording 17 tackles. Ika saw action in LSU’s national semifinal against Oklahoma and National Championship against Clemson.
Ika was coached by then LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda and analyst Dennis “Meatball” Johnson. When Aranda took the Baylor head coaching job in January, he hired Johnson to be his defensive line coach.
From the LSU 2019 roster scouting report, the assessment of Ika went like this: Tremendous upper body strength with powerful leg drive that makes him the ideal nose tackles … Often commands the attention of two offensive linemen … Low center of gravity makes him difficult to move …
However, the move from the 3-man front to new DC Bo Pelini’s 4-3 didn’t go the way he had hoped. Ika’s role lessened, and he eventually moved into the transfer portal in late October. His final appearance for the Tigers was against South Carolina.
Baylor finished in the middle of the Big 12 in most defensive categories. The Bears were sixth in total defense (383.4) and in sacks (19). However, they were eighth in rushing defense (180.4) and were prone to give up explosive running plays.
Ika is likely the first of what the coaching staff hopes will be the addition of several new players along the defensive and offensive front.
Rivals ranked Ika the No. 93 prospect for the 2019 class, the No. 5 defensive tackle in the country and the No. 1 prospect in the state of Utah.
Publisher
Baylor’s future defensive front got the lift it needed on Monday.
Former LSU nose tackle Siaki Ika announced on social media that he was transferring to Baylor. A Salt Lake City, native, Ika will have three years of eligibility remaining plus a redshirt.
At this time, it’s not clear if Baylor would need to seek a waiver for Ika to have him eligible for the 2021 season. But the odds seem to favor that move if one is required. Ika is expected to arrive in January.
Ika (6-4, 354) already has 18 months of being around a college football program. He enrolled at LSU back in January, 2019. He contributed to the Tigers’ run to the 2019 National Championship playing in 13 games and recording 17 tackles. Ika saw action in LSU’s national semifinal against Oklahoma and National Championship against Clemson.
Ika was coached by then LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda and analyst Dennis “Meatball” Johnson. When Aranda took the Baylor head coaching job in January, he hired Johnson to be his defensive line coach.
From the LSU 2019 roster scouting report, the assessment of Ika went like this: Tremendous upper body strength with powerful leg drive that makes him the ideal nose tackles … Often commands the attention of two offensive linemen … Low center of gravity makes him difficult to move …
However, the move from the 3-man front to new DC Bo Pelini’s 4-3 didn’t go the way he had hoped. Ika’s role lessened, and he eventually moved into the transfer portal in late October. His final appearance for the Tigers was against South Carolina.
Baylor finished in the middle of the Big 12 in most defensive categories. The Bears were sixth in total defense (383.4) and in sacks (19). However, they were eighth in rushing defense (180.4) and were prone to give up explosive running plays.
Ika is likely the first of what the coaching staff hopes will be the addition of several new players along the defensive and offensive front.
Rivals ranked Ika the No. 93 prospect for the 2019 class, the No. 5 defensive tackle in the country and the No. 1 prospect in the state of Utah.
