By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
The Topper
>Baylor will have spring football practice on Saturday. However, there will be no media availability for it.
>We mentioned the April 2 visit date for recruits. One TE candidate the staff is working on to get to visit from is Arlington Sam Houston 2023 Lafayette Kaiuway. Hope to have more on him soon.
Arizona TE reviews visit
While home state Arizona is the projected favorite to land 2023 three-star tight end Matthew Klopfenstein, Baylor did it’s part to make sure he had something to think about during his visit on Thursday.
Klopfenstein used his opportunity to deep a deep dive into the school, the athletic facilities and just watch the Bears go through their second spring football practice. It was the Phoenix Horizon product’s first visit to Baylor.
“LOVED IT,’’ Klopfenstein said. “Everything was great. The coaches and how welcoming they are, and just the overall environment around it. All of it jumped out to me.’’
It’s no secret that Baylor offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes’ offense will deploy a lot of tight ends. The Bears recruited two for the 2022 class. They already have one 2023 commit in Houston Stratford’s Hawkins Polley.
“He’s an amazing person,’’ Klopfenstein said when he was offered. “He has been around the country coaching really good players. He has his handful of experience when it comes to college football.”
DFW 2024 WR talks BU offer
The legend of Corey Coleman at Richardson Pearce remains. When he was in elementary school, Lucas Lovejoy 2024 wide receiver Parker Livingstone remembers going to Pearce games mainly to watch the future Biletnikoff Award winner when he was with the Mustangs.
“Like I watched Corey play in high school, and I watched him at Baylor,’’ Livingstone said, “and it makes me think I can do the same since we both grew up in the same area.’’
Livingstone has since moved north and attends Lucas Lovejoy. He is just starting to build a relationship with new wide receivers coach Dallas Baker. The relationship is practically weeks old. Livingstone said he hopes to take in a spring practice sometime in April.
“He just told me that he really likes my 2nd releases and the way I run my routes and how smooth they are,’’ Livingstone said.
It’s early but a serious competition is building. Arkansas and Florida State are among his early offers. With a 6-3 frame that is still in development, the ability to win matchups and better-than-you-think speed, it all adds up for Baylor to make its move.
Livingstone made his own move in 2021. He was named District 7-5A Newcomer of the Year. He caught 43 passes for 966 yards (22.5 ypc) and 16 scores. The Leopards (12-2) advanced to the Class 5A Division II 2021 state quarterfinals before falling to eventual state champion South Oak Cliff.
“Going up to get the jump ball like a vertical threat and using my speed to go right past them,’’ Livingstone said.
But the foundation for him turning into a complete player comes with what goes off the field. Livingstone has developed a strong rapport with Lovejoy head coach Chris Ross, who is considered one of the most respected Texas High School football coaches.
“He’s helped me out on and off the field but more importantly helping me to become a better man,’’ Livingstone said. “There’s life outside football and that growing up and having a family and being the best person you can possibly be.’’
Like many recruits, Livingstone said he wants to make this decision on where to play coupled on where he wants to earn a college degree. A three-star with a 5.7 rating, Livingston is Rivals No. 49 wide receiver in the nation and the No. 33 player in Texas for 2024 prospects.
BASEBALL: At Oklahoma
The Bears (11-9, 1-2) travel out of Texas for the first of only three times this season (West Virginia and Kansas State are the others) with a trip to Norman, OK at L. Dale Mitchell Park. This is the Sooners’ (12-7, 0-0) opening Big 12 series.
Baylor lost two of three last week against TCU. They had to rally this past Tuesday to walk off UTSA, 3-2.
Oklahoma leads the all-time series, 53-49. This is Baylor’s first trip to Norman since 2018. The 2020 trip was canceled due to the pandemic. Baylor's offense has been slow to start this year hitting collectively just .251 but .277 over the last five games. The team ERA is a respectable 3.86.
Probable pitching matchups:
Friday • 6:30 p.m. • LHP Tyler Thomas (3-2, 1.30 ERA) vs. LHP Jake Bennett (1-0, 0.90 ERA)
Saturday • 2:00 p.m. • LHP Kobe Andrade (2-0, 2.57 ERA) vs. RHP David Sandlin (2-2, 6.94 ERA)
Sunday • 2:00 p.m. • RHP Will Rigney (1-0, 3.10 ERA) vs. LHP Chazz Martinez (2-2, 2.81 ERA)
Publisher
The Topper
>Baylor will have spring football practice on Saturday. However, there will be no media availability for it.
>We mentioned the April 2 visit date for recruits. One TE candidate the staff is working on to get to visit from is Arlington Sam Houston 2023 Lafayette Kaiuway. Hope to have more on him soon.
Arizona TE reviews visit
While home state Arizona is the projected favorite to land 2023 three-star tight end Matthew Klopfenstein, Baylor did it’s part to make sure he had something to think about during his visit on Thursday.
Klopfenstein used his opportunity to deep a deep dive into the school, the athletic facilities and just watch the Bears go through their second spring football practice. It was the Phoenix Horizon product’s first visit to Baylor.
“LOVED IT,’’ Klopfenstein said. “Everything was great. The coaches and how welcoming they are, and just the overall environment around it. All of it jumped out to me.’’
It’s no secret that Baylor offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes’ offense will deploy a lot of tight ends. The Bears recruited two for the 2022 class. They already have one 2023 commit in Houston Stratford’s Hawkins Polley.
“He’s an amazing person,’’ Klopfenstein said when he was offered. “He has been around the country coaching really good players. He has his handful of experience when it comes to college football.”
DFW 2024 WR talks BU offer
The legend of Corey Coleman at Richardson Pearce remains. When he was in elementary school, Lucas Lovejoy 2024 wide receiver Parker Livingstone remembers going to Pearce games mainly to watch the future Biletnikoff Award winner when he was with the Mustangs.
“Like I watched Corey play in high school, and I watched him at Baylor,’’ Livingstone said, “and it makes me think I can do the same since we both grew up in the same area.’’
Livingstone has since moved north and attends Lucas Lovejoy. He is just starting to build a relationship with new wide receivers coach Dallas Baker. The relationship is practically weeks old. Livingstone said he hopes to take in a spring practice sometime in April.
“He just told me that he really likes my 2nd releases and the way I run my routes and how smooth they are,’’ Livingstone said.
It’s early but a serious competition is building. Arkansas and Florida State are among his early offers. With a 6-3 frame that is still in development, the ability to win matchups and better-than-you-think speed, it all adds up for Baylor to make its move.
Livingstone made his own move in 2021. He was named District 7-5A Newcomer of the Year. He caught 43 passes for 966 yards (22.5 ypc) and 16 scores. The Leopards (12-2) advanced to the Class 5A Division II 2021 state quarterfinals before falling to eventual state champion South Oak Cliff.
“Going up to get the jump ball like a vertical threat and using my speed to go right past them,’’ Livingstone said.
But the foundation for him turning into a complete player comes with what goes off the field. Livingstone has developed a strong rapport with Lovejoy head coach Chris Ross, who is considered one of the most respected Texas High School football coaches.
“He’s helped me out on and off the field but more importantly helping me to become a better man,’’ Livingstone said. “There’s life outside football and that growing up and having a family and being the best person you can possibly be.’’
Like many recruits, Livingstone said he wants to make this decision on where to play coupled on where he wants to earn a college degree. A three-star with a 5.7 rating, Livingston is Rivals No. 49 wide receiver in the nation and the No. 33 player in Texas for 2024 prospects.
BASEBALL: At Oklahoma
The Bears (11-9, 1-2) travel out of Texas for the first of only three times this season (West Virginia and Kansas State are the others) with a trip to Norman, OK at L. Dale Mitchell Park. This is the Sooners’ (12-7, 0-0) opening Big 12 series.
Baylor lost two of three last week against TCU. They had to rally this past Tuesday to walk off UTSA, 3-2.
Oklahoma leads the all-time series, 53-49. This is Baylor’s first trip to Norman since 2018. The 2020 trip was canceled due to the pandemic. Baylor's offense has been slow to start this year hitting collectively just .251 but .277 over the last five games. The team ERA is a respectable 3.86.
Probable pitching matchups:
Friday • 6:30 p.m. • LHP Tyler Thomas (3-2, 1.30 ERA) vs. LHP Jake Bennett (1-0, 0.90 ERA)
Saturday • 2:00 p.m. • LHP Kobe Andrade (2-0, 2.57 ERA) vs. RHP David Sandlin (2-2, 6.94 ERA)
Sunday • 2:00 p.m. • RHP Will Rigney (1-0, 3.10 ERA) vs. LHP Chazz Martinez (2-2, 2.81 ERA)
