By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
The Topper
Just a couple of FYIs that I was asked and answered this week. But putting them up here in one area.
>I’m told the Dave Aranda contract extension appears to be in the final stages. Just some tweaking here and there. It’s more of a question of when and not if. Have no idea when an announcement will be made. However, the feeling will be soon.
>Also told Baylor is not expecting any official visitors this weekend. One thing to consider about the addition of Alfonzo Allen to the Baylor 2022 class is that it could cool things with Killeen Shoemaker talent Khamari Terrell. Terrell took his official visit to Waco in mid-December. Might be the reason that we were not going to put him down as a commitment. We’ll see what happens since Allen is a safety and Terrell is a defensive back.
>Finally, still working through the diligence on the new 2022 non-conference opponent and new wide receivers coach. On the first, everything points to this being an FCS team. Doesn’t sound like a team from this area. Second, I’m told the receivers coach position is one where Aranda is doing his due diligence to make the right hire. He knows he has to get this right because he’s going on his third in three seasons.
>Scott Drew meets with the media late Friday afternoon before the team heads to Norman, OK to play at Oklahoma (2:00 p.m., ESPN+) and should have an update on the status of PG James Akinjo and F Jeremy Sochan. Akinjo, who was recently named to the Sporting News mid-season All-American team, missed Tuesday at West Virginia with a lower back injury. Sochan has missed the last three games due a sprained ankle suffered Jan. 8 at TCU.
Mid-Semester Enrollees
Let’s catch you up on all eight of the newest Baylor Bears who arrived on campus last week. The spring semester officially began this past Tuesday.
Miami Central S Alfonzo Allen: Late to the party but an early arrival, the 4-star safety from South Florida received in excess of 50 offers. In 11 games where stats were recorded, Allen collected 47 tackles and five PBUs. He committed/signed with Baylor shortly after his official visit.
Frisco Independence Ath Reggie Bush III: The Bears are looking at him for the secondary. He’s a versatile athlete who did everything at Independence including punting. Baylor likes his length. This is another Baylor type of find. The other offers were from Air Force, Tulane, Colorado State and Navy.
Lewisville WR Armani Winfield, WR, Lewisville: Still the biggest recruit for this 2022 class. He’s a playmaker wide receiver. Baylor needs someone to stretch the field. With the departures of Tyquan Thornton, Drew Estrada and RJ Sneed (transferred to Colorado) jobs are available in this receiving game. Winfield arriving now and being able to go through spring is important.
DeSoto S Devyn Bobby: A ball hawking safety who had a mix of G5 and P5 offers. Bobby should see some work in the spring. While he was unranked, he was a solid 3-star recruit with a 5.6 rating. Bobby finally made it to Baylor for his official visit back in December.
South Jordan (UT) Bingham OL Geoge Maile: At the time of his commitment in June, this was Baylor’s biggest pickup of the recruiting season. The Bears basically beat out the PAC 12 for the 3 star recruit with a 5.7 rating. That included Oregon, USC, UCLA and backyard BYU. He’s currently in Honolulu for the Polynesian Bowl that takes place at 5:30 pm Saturday. The game can be seen on CBS Sports Network.
Here’s a look at Maile at the Polynesian Bowl workouts:
College Park The Woodlands TE Cody Mladenka: A workmanlike type of tight end who comes to Baylor with three stars and a 5.5 rating. With the tight end depth chart being what it is, Mladenka is probably going to redshirt in 2022. However, he will earn some bonus time this spring to help in his development.
Red Oak TE Kelsey Johnson: While he didn’t have a great year because the Hawks didn’t have a great year, Johnson is a very talented receiver with great hands. Reminds you of Drake Dabney but maybe a little faster. He also has a great wingspan. He is a three star with a 5.7 rating. Among his other P5 offers were Tennessee, Kansas, Arizona and Colorado. There’s a chance he could see time in 2022.
Tulsa NT Jaxon Player: A 3-year starter for the Golden Hurricane who will provide some depth along Baylor’s defensive front. He should see significant playing time behind Apu Ika at the nose simply because Ika is not a three-down player. Player has a tendency to get to the quarterback as he recorded four sacks in 2021.
Publisher
The Topper
Just a couple of FYIs that I was asked and answered this week. But putting them up here in one area.
>I’m told the Dave Aranda contract extension appears to be in the final stages. Just some tweaking here and there. It’s more of a question of when and not if. Have no idea when an announcement will be made. However, the feeling will be soon.
>Also told Baylor is not expecting any official visitors this weekend. One thing to consider about the addition of Alfonzo Allen to the Baylor 2022 class is that it could cool things with Killeen Shoemaker talent Khamari Terrell. Terrell took his official visit to Waco in mid-December. Might be the reason that we were not going to put him down as a commitment. We’ll see what happens since Allen is a safety and Terrell is a defensive back.
>Finally, still working through the diligence on the new 2022 non-conference opponent and new wide receivers coach. On the first, everything points to this being an FCS team. Doesn’t sound like a team from this area. Second, I’m told the receivers coach position is one where Aranda is doing his due diligence to make the right hire. He knows he has to get this right because he’s going on his third in three seasons.
>Scott Drew meets with the media late Friday afternoon before the team heads to Norman, OK to play at Oklahoma (2:00 p.m., ESPN+) and should have an update on the status of PG James Akinjo and F Jeremy Sochan. Akinjo, who was recently named to the Sporting News mid-season All-American team, missed Tuesday at West Virginia with a lower back injury. Sochan has missed the last three games due a sprained ankle suffered Jan. 8 at TCU.
Mid-Semester Enrollees
Let’s catch you up on all eight of the newest Baylor Bears who arrived on campus last week. The spring semester officially began this past Tuesday.
Miami Central S Alfonzo Allen: Late to the party but an early arrival, the 4-star safety from South Florida received in excess of 50 offers. In 11 games where stats were recorded, Allen collected 47 tackles and five PBUs. He committed/signed with Baylor shortly after his official visit.
Frisco Independence Ath Reggie Bush III: The Bears are looking at him for the secondary. He’s a versatile athlete who did everything at Independence including punting. Baylor likes his length. This is another Baylor type of find. The other offers were from Air Force, Tulane, Colorado State and Navy.
Lewisville WR Armani Winfield, WR, Lewisville: Still the biggest recruit for this 2022 class. He’s a playmaker wide receiver. Baylor needs someone to stretch the field. With the departures of Tyquan Thornton, Drew Estrada and RJ Sneed (transferred to Colorado) jobs are available in this receiving game. Winfield arriving now and being able to go through spring is important.
DeSoto S Devyn Bobby: A ball hawking safety who had a mix of G5 and P5 offers. Bobby should see some work in the spring. While he was unranked, he was a solid 3-star recruit with a 5.6 rating. Bobby finally made it to Baylor for his official visit back in December.
South Jordan (UT) Bingham OL Geoge Maile: At the time of his commitment in June, this was Baylor’s biggest pickup of the recruiting season. The Bears basically beat out the PAC 12 for the 3 star recruit with a 5.7 rating. That included Oregon, USC, UCLA and backyard BYU. He’s currently in Honolulu for the Polynesian Bowl that takes place at 5:30 pm Saturday. The game can be seen on CBS Sports Network.
Here’s a look at Maile at the Polynesian Bowl workouts:
College Park The Woodlands TE Cody Mladenka: A workmanlike type of tight end who comes to Baylor with three stars and a 5.5 rating. With the tight end depth chart being what it is, Mladenka is probably going to redshirt in 2022. However, he will earn some bonus time this spring to help in his development.
Red Oak TE Kelsey Johnson: While he didn’t have a great year because the Hawks didn’t have a great year, Johnson is a very talented receiver with great hands. Reminds you of Drake Dabney but maybe a little faster. He also has a great wingspan. He is a three star with a 5.7 rating. Among his other P5 offers were Tennessee, Kansas, Arizona and Colorado. There’s a chance he could see time in 2022.
Tulsa NT Jaxon Player: A 3-year starter for the Golden Hurricane who will provide some depth along Baylor’s defensive front. He should see significant playing time behind Apu Ika at the nose simply because Ika is not a three-down player. Player has a tendency to get to the quarterback as he recorded four sacks in 2021.
