But there are no proven backs with Smith and Trestan Ebner gone. Though none of those classes have been in the top 25, it doesnt mean they wont yield quality results. This page is He played pretty well against TCU, so maybe hes on the rebound. After an awful 2020, in which the Bears went 2-7 and looked listless by seasons end, Aranda overhauled the offensive staff. Powledge, a Huntsville, Texas, native who played fullback at Sam Houston, is also back in his Texas roots. Josh Cameron, a former walk-on who was awarded a scholarship, gives the group some size (6-2, 210 pounds). Remember: this team went 1-6 in one-score games last year, including 0-6 in Big 12 play. But West Virginia also ranks 89th in returning offensive production nationally, and doesnt really make up for it on the defensive side, where the Mountaineers are 49th. The proof? To replace receivers coach Chansi Stuckey, who joined Marcus Freemans staff at Notre Dame, Aranda hired former Buffalo and Marshall receivers coach Dallas Baker. Hill is among a number of players who could have breakout seasons in 2023. Aranda recruited the 2020 four-star prospect while with the Tigers but left for Baylor before getting a chance to coach him. 2022 Sugar Bowl odds: Baylor starting quarterback Gerry Bohanon expected to return from injury vs. Ole Miss Baylor should have starting QB Gerry Bohanon available off injury for Saturday's Sugar Bowl matchup vs. Ole Miss. Devin Neal, who played 13 games last year, is also in the hunt. However, this years group will have some major absences to contend with, including Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Jalen Pitre and All-Big-12 first-team linebacker selection Terrel Bernard. Early spring success has Texas filling fans with hope, Judge rules in favor of Michael Irvin in request for expedited evidence in $100M lawsuit, Mike McCarthy calls taking over play-calling most fun Ive had as Cowboys coach, PK winners! To fill the void, Aranda hired former Nevada assistant Ronnie Wheat. At jack, Baylors edge rusher, Garmon Randolph returns. Another key defensive position to fill is the star, Baylors hybrid nickelback/outside linebacker role, previously occupied by 2021 Big 12 defensive player of the year and second-round pick Pitre. Baylor returns four starters on the offensive line and has had five players return who have started at least eight games on the offensive line. Cornerback Al Walcott and safety Christian Morgan, both returning starters, will also see time at star, Roberts said. Now hes the uncontested No. With Connor Galvin This article was first published in the Cougar All aboard the Aranda train. Key stat to know: Baylors stout defense forced the second-most third downs (200) in the Big 12 and 11th most in the Power 5 last season, a result of good early down defense. He led the Bears in tackles in five games. The Jayhawks may still be a year off; there a number of those projected starters still have more eligibility after this year. Venables defensive bonafides will be put to the test with a talented, but young, group that brings back four defensive starters. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. No one is going to underestimate the Bears this time around and that could mean dropping unexpected games en route to a 7-5 record. For more NCAA football news, analysis, opinion and unique coverage by FanSided, including Heisman Trophy and College Football Playoff rankings, be sure to bookmark these pages. The Bears tend to be deliberate on offense and average 6.1 yards per play on the strength of an efficient running game and a sporadically explosive but inconsistent play action passing game. The third and final of the three Big 12 schools who return 12 starters, Texas joins Kansas State with six returning starters on both offense and defense. He was an All-Big-12 honorable mention in 2021 and will look to prove he deserved more than that with a big 2022. Gavin Yates saw action as a freshman walk-on last year, and freshman Kelsey Johnson has impressed since arriving. Now its just about getting experience on the field so theyre comfortable.. Joey McGuires first team will be fascinating to watch with an offense that returns four starters but also adds Zach Kittley, the architect of last years explosive Western Kentucky group. There are also five transfers combined from those two cycles still around. Daniel Green has been among the Big 12s best linebackers when healthy, and hell try to shore up a defense that ranks 94th in returning production, but was sprinkling through some of the younger players over the course of the season. Dont be surprised either if five-star linebacker Anthony Hill bullies his way onto the field either; hes that good. Its rare to see a combination of strength, speed and agility for someone with Halls frame. I act like this. Hes the smallest guy out there but maybe the toughest guy, Grimes said. Hes a guy that opened up his heart to the team and led his team in a real prideful, courageous way, Aranda said of Bohanon. The biggest reason to propel the Bears down these rankings is that Baylor ranks 100th nationally in returning production, third-to-last in the Big 12. Prod. After a 2-7 If Shapen gets hurt this year, theyre (in trouble).. 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Run blocking has improved, Aranda said. They have 150+ combined starts in aggregate. Redshirt freshman Tyrone M. Brown is also a potential reserve option. Over their last 7 games, the Bears have given up 13 turnovers. He knows a thing or two because hes seen a thing or two over the course of his collegiate career. The Bears won the league last year, return their starting quarterback from a season ago in Gerry Bohanon and top all other projected contenders and rank second in the Big 12 in returning starters. At least the defense will be anchored by Siaki Ika and a defensive line that should be just as stout as last year, especially with the addition of Jaxon Player from Tulsa. The average sack allowed by the Baylor line in 2021 took 4.6 seconds from snap to sack, the second-longest average in the FBS. 2021 stats: 183 rushing yards (fourth on team), two rushing TDs (T-third on team). Heres why he prefers it that way, Are these Rangers good? The Bears are allowing offenses to convert a healthy 45.4% of their 3rd downs this season and that simply doesnt marry well to Arandas larger philosophy. Baylor Head Coach Scott Drew Named Coach Wooden Keys to Life Award Winner, Iowa States Ashley Joens, Oklahomas Madi Williams Named Finalists for the Cheryl Miller Award, Niners GM John Lynch Updates Brock Purdys Status, Surgery Timeline, Oklahoma TE Brayden Willis Announces 2022 Return, K-State Promotes Collin Klein to Offensive Coordinator. Seven months removed from winning the national championship, Baylor could be good enough to reach the final game again this season. They combined for 2,400 yards and 14 touchdowns, so replacing them will be no easy feat. The Big 12 may look wide open but Baylor proved themselves last year and could come back as sharp as ever with a higher ceiling at quarterback and a defense capable of holding down whatever offense they face. Can Iowa State replace Xavier Hutchinson, who seemed like the offenses only option at times last year? The Bears have a three-headed running back group comprised of two scatbacks and one power runner. 17 Baylor Bears football team kicks off week four with a Big 12 Conference showdown against the undefeated Iowa State Cyclones in Ames, 2022 Baker played receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Florida Gators, winning championships with each. Im perfect. 2023 sets up for Texas to have its most experienced Grimes also looks at fifth-year senior Mose Jeffery, sophomore Micah Mazzccua and redshirt freshman tackle Tate Williams as possible contributors. Fleeks has all the ability in the world, and Baldwin is a dynamic player with really good speed. Other receivers could get looks at returner. The Cyclones were one of the nations most experienced teams last year the reason for Iowa States lofty preseason expectations and now need to start over in a major way after a number of those players moved on. Theres still plenty of talent in H-Town, and the offense still has enough pieces to cause havoc (the young receiving corps could be particularly nasty). And with seven of 11 starters returning on defense, the Red Raiders could bow up on that side of the ball with increased experience and the toughness that McGuire is attempting to instill. This is a tough one. It wont be a big one, but itll be enough for the Cowboys to close the gap. Were winning every day. Tay McWilliams is the top returning player at running back and he had just 181 yards on 17 carries last year. This makes the Bears A native Houstonian, Sam graduated from the University of Houston. The pass rush will be good, the run D will be great, and Kansas hasnt won more than three games in a season since 2009, Mark Manginos final season with the program. Oklahoma State actually topped our Big 12 power rankings at one point, then by years end, the Cowboys might have legitimately been the Big 12s worst team. This year the Bears are out to prove they can retain their crown by reloading instead of rebuilding. The 6-5 Baylor Bears represent one of the most physical teams that Texas has seen this season, but meeting the other teams I really felt we saw a different side of him, Grimes said. Projected defensive starters: DE Lonnie Phelps DT Kenean Caldwell DT Caleb Sampson* DE Malcolm Lee* LB Taiwan Berryhill* LB Gavin Potter* LB Rich Miller On the plus side, Shapen will have a veteran offensive line led by defending Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year Connor Galvin and reinforced y Buffalow transfer Jacob Gall. On the move! Ranking 77th nationally in returning production, the Sooners are somewhat middle of the pack in the Big 12 in that category. With both coordinators back and all the returnees on the line of scrimmage, Baylor can figure it out. Heres the thing on the Red Raiders: Like TCU, the Red Raiders were undefeated in one-score games in the regular season. After a 12-2 season, a Big 12 championship and a Sugar Bowl win which could rank as the best season in school history there really arent those questions being asked now, he said. Baylor Bear Insider One of seven returning starters from a 31-20 Baylor team, sophomore infielder Tre Richardson didn't like that aching feeling last May when The average sack allowed by the Baylor line in 2021 took 4.6 seconds from snap to sack the! The group some size ( 6-2, 210 pounds ) tackles in five.. Coach him defensive starters guy out there but maybe the toughest guy, Grimes said freshman Tyrone M. Brown also! 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