Yes, we know. But perhaps the single biggest reason to believe in Oklahoma: (Photo: Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire, Getty), (Photo: Jay Biggerstaff, USA TODAY Sports), (Photo: James Guillory, USA TODAY Sports), according to ESPNs Bill Connellys measurements, When we looked at how teams fared in one-score games. Previewing Baylor Bears defense for 2022 season. Offensively, John Rhys Plumlee headlines a group that ranks 78th in returning offensive production, but may be more ready to hit the ground running with a strong group of wide receivers and Plumlees ability to impact games with his legs as well. With a solid crop of returning players, the question will be whether that talent can start delivering results on the field. Expect Baylor to give Texas a wake-up call in the regular season finale but settle for a 9-3 campaign. Almost a third of the league has less than 10 returning starters, and seven of the Big 12's teams have 12 or fewer. That was a full yard improvement over 2020, which was seventh in the Big 12 and 62nd nationally. Written by Brett Gibbons Brett is an avid sports traveler and former Division-I football recruiter for Bowling Green and Texas State. Josh Fleeks moved this offseason from receiver to running back. After helping the Bears reach the semifinalist phase for the Joe Moore Award, he could target individual honors in 2022. A Big 12 championship game record 17-straight completions is one way to get into the spotlight, but thats just what Shapen did. Leading receiver Tyquan Thornton is off to the NFL and No. Ten of Kansas 11 offensive starters are back from a team that ranked in the top 10 in Offensive SP+; the lone exit comes at left tackle, where Kansas signed a former five-star recruit in Wisconsins Logan Brown. Can Iowa State replace Xavier Hutchinson, who seemed like the offenses only option at times last year? Thats the next challenge.. Jones missed spring with a foot injury, allowing Will Williams to get the first-team reps at weakside linebacker, and Roberts was encouraged by his development. Whoever wins the job should have plenty of talent to utilize, but will need the offensive line to come together. Related: College Football's Top Quarterbacks on the Rise for 2023 4. Tyquan Thornton, R.J. Snead and Drew Estrada have all departed, leaving tight end Ben Sims as the leading returning pass-catcher along with tight end Drake Dabney. LT Connor Galvin, RG Grant Miller, RT Kahlil Keith, and C Jacob Gall are all seniors who were eligible to return for another season in 2022. Texas safeties and linebackers cant get caught up in trash and must fit the cutback lanes. Expect more transfer help at running back (UNLVs Aidan Robbins) and on both lines. The Jayhawks may still be a year off; there a number of those projected starters still have more eligibility after this year. They combined for 2,400 yards and 14 touchdowns, so replacing them will be no easy feat. A lot of Longhorn offensive success will rest on Sarks ability to scheme up run game solutions on a short week. in returning offensive production theres reason to believe some of those close games are going to go the other way in 2023. The 6-7, 265-pound junior should build on his 2021, which included 29 tackles and three sacks in 11 games. How will Shapen develop? Your favorite teams, topics, and players all on your favorite mobile devices. Remember, too, that while BYUs production numbers arent super high (middle of the Big 12 pack at No. Its safe to expect him to continue performing at a high level as a blocker and as a lethal receiving threat for Shapen. Shouldnt we do it some other way?. 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. Though none of those classes have been in the top 25, it doesnt mean they wont yield quality results. Sneed (Colorado) entered after the 2021 season and Bohanon (USF) and Landry (Missouri) departed after spring football ended. The corners are unremarkable but have some size and are well schooled. Build your customFanSided Daily email newsletter with news and analysis onFanSided.com and all your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and more. Replacing some of the losses on defense will be a bigger challenge, though Joey McGuires first year saw the Red Raiders play with physicality and toughness on that side of the ball, and Texas Tech added four defenders through the transfer portal, including three players up front. Will the rushing attack be as reliable as it was a year ago? And will Iowa States reluctance to fully embrace the transfer portal mean that the Cyclones wont fill the holes they do have? ", 2021 stats: Four sacks (T-third most), six TFLs (T-sixth most), played 13 games with 12 starts. Things could take a turn for the worst early if the defense isnt quite up to their 2021 form in the first half of the season. Baylors departing players registered 1,579 points, 512 rebounds, and 234 steals/blocks in the 2020-2021 season; those numbers rank 11th, 49th, and 7th in the country among non-returning players. Shapen showed promise in his two starts last year, the regular-season finale versus Texas Tech and the Big 12 championship win over Oklahoma State. Powledge, a Huntsville, Texas, native who played fullback at Sam Houston, is also back in his Texas roots. Baylor had the most players of any team in the state of Texas chosen in the 2022 NFL Draft (six) and those recruits came from the 2017 and 2018 classes, which ranked 40th and 29th, respectively. The Bears should be one of the top three teams in the Big 12, and it shouldnt surprise anyone if theyre back in the conference title game in December. [Get a FREE 7-day trial of Inside Texas Plus!]. BYU wide receiver Keanu Hill makes a touchdown catch against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. The defense was stifling and the offense pounded the rock as the Bears worked their way through the Big 12 slate and took down ranked BYU. And the unit got a boost in the offseason, when Baylor landed Tulsa defensive tackle transfer Jaxon Player, a Waco, Texas, native and two-time All-AAC selection. March 1, 2023 12:56 pm CT. College football writers are taking notice of the Longhorns loaded returning roster. I always win. Theres a fair amount of moxie in him.. While they lost to Oklahoma State and suffered a two-point defeat at TCU, they punched a ticket to the conference title game where they avenged their loss to the Cowboys for the crown. Copyright 2017-22 Heartland College Sports. He and his wife, Karina, got married last January and have a 4-month-old daughter, Zoe. But if he comes in and truly finds his footing, the Cougars could be too low here. Run blocking has improved, Aranda said. On3 is a registered trademark of On3 Media, Inc. Aranda signed a contract extension in February that is scheduled to keep him at the school through 2029, quieting coaching carousel discussion. Athletes in Action announced its winner for the coveted Coach Wooden Keys to Life Award, and its a Big 12 coach. This year it could be the playoff by avoiding another loss like that pesky one against TCU. 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. At jack, Baylors edge rusher, Garmon Randolph returns. Baylor struggles to get an honest pass rush at times and they rely heavily on deceptive coverages on the back end to confound QBs and force sucker throws. before going out with a concussion. The Bears match up well in some spots to Texas, but theyre a five loss team for a reason. Craig Sqwirl Williams, 5-foot-8, 173 pounds, has battled injuries but was healthy this spring. Although not getting the glitz and glamour, the Bears can feel great knowing Apu is lining up opposite of the center this season. Remaining steady in the trenches should be a big help to the offense. At middle linebacker, returning starter Dillon Doyle second on the team with 90 tackles in 2021 should be even better. To replace receivers coach Chansi Stuckey, who joined Marcus Freemans staff at Notre Dame, Aranda hired former Buffalo and Marshall receivers coach Dallas Baker. "We got married in Katy, Texas, about a mile from the high school stadium," he said. 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. If youre talking about which team is the Big 12 favorite, Im going with Baylor because of what they have up front, the coach said. The Bears average recruiting ranking from 2019-22, per the 247Sports Composite Rating, is 40.25. 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. That includes competition for incumbent quarterback Blake Shapen and likely plug-and-play starters on the offensive line for the Bears. February 8, 2023 7:57 pm CT. ESPN announced its returning production rankings for the 2023 season on Tuesday. Even with Bijan Robinson moving on, Texas still ranks third nationally in returning offensive production, and with Texas bringing in the No. The Cougars are the top-ranked newcomer here, though whether that plays out will likely depend on whether Kedon Slovis can re-find some of the magic he showed a few years back at USC. WebBaylors special teams will be in good hands with junior punter Issac Power and freshman kicker Isaiah Hankins returning. One opposing coach sees the Bears as a force in the Big 12 again. Perhaps the fog has never fully lifted as he was particularly ineffective as the season progressed against Kansas, Oklahoma and Kansas State. You just dont typically see that kind of shift within a season. Outside of those scheme induced meltdowns, theyve actually proven fairly susceptible to the passing game, giving up steady gains to Will Howard and Max Duggan in recent weeks. He played pretty well against TCU, so maybe hes on the rebound. In the past four years, Baylor has more or less recruited at a top-40 level nationally. How the star shakes out will impact the rest of the secondary.

Five best college football futures bets to make, including our Syracuse Orange, who return 80% of their starters this season. Breaking down the five best futures bets, picks, and predictions for the 2022 season. Will that be enough for the Cyclones to overcome the leagues lowest returning starter count? If Shapen gets hurt this year, theyre (in trouble).. Ika made an immediate impact as a transfer from LSU, earning the 2021 Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year Award. The Bears return some experience at linebacker but must replace second-round draft pick Bernard. The Buffs have just five returning starters on defense, and their offensive line still isnt ready to compete with the top programs in the Pac-12, let alone the entire country. A better, and more cohesive showing on defense would both be a welcome sign and would allow either Card or Ewers a bit more cushion to get comfortable. A '21 start against Baylor (461 passing yards and two scores and 70 rushing yards) showcased Morris' talent. Without certainty at running back or in the back seven of the defense, its fair to expect the Bears to take a slight step back. Per PFF, Baylor QBs were pressured 35.2 percent of the time in 2020 (8th in the Big 12, 96th in the FBS) but only 29.1 percent of the time in 2021 (first in the conference, 45th nationally). But Baylor also brings in 247Sports No. Hes going to be filling some big shoes. There may be inexperience at those key offensive spots, but sufficient talent exists. Big TE Ben Sims is a chain mover, but 20 of his 30 catches happened in the first four games of the season. He will put the ball in peril and he isnt shy about taking deep shots, even on 3rd and forever. 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 One of the most important factors in a team's success in college football is its returning experience. Now that hes gotten to the top, he needs to figure out to how keep Baylor there. He scored two offensive touchdowns (rushing and receiving) versus BYU. Breakdown: In the middle, all eyes are on Dillon Doyle for the 2022 season. Devin Neal, who played 13 games last year, is also in the hunt. Aranda had to replace three departures from his on-field staff. While Kansas State had six on both sides of the ball and added a transfer quarterback to fill one of the openings, Oklahoma State returns seven starters from the nations 53rd-best offense, according to SP+, including quarterback Spencer Sanders. 8 national ranking last fall and has Pac-12 title and CFP aspirations in 2023. WACO, Texas Baylor football head coach Dave Aranda announced the signings of 20 student-athletes to the class of 2022 on Wednesday. Quinn Ewers should become more consistent in his second year as a starter, and getting a healthy Isaiah Neyor to catch passes next to Xavier Worthy could bring an impact newcomer who technically doesnt count as a newcomer. Bohanons passing numbers were solid in nonconference play (66.6 percent completion rate, 626 yards, four touchdowns and one interception in three games) but his yardage and completion rate dipped in Big 12 games. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. (Photo: Kansas State Athletics Media Relations). 6 overall recruiting class, ranking in the top 10 both in incoming high school and junior college talent (fourth) and in 247Sports transfer class rankings (eighth). In a classic good news, bad news situation, Houston ranks 24th nationally in returning offensive production, but 119th in returning defensive production. All three specialists return: punter Issac Power, place kicker Isaiah Hankins and kickoff specialist Noah Rauschenberg. Baylor will contend for the Big 12 again this year. 2021 stats: 62-86 passes for 596 yards and five TDs (six games, two starts). He and his wife, Karina, got married last January and have Breakdown: Returning for his fifth season, the 2021 Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year will yet again be a force to be reckoned with in the trenches. The Wildcats have their 12 returning starters equally spread across both sides of the ball, with six on offense and six on defense. Point, blank period. The biggest piece were moving through right now is probably just immaturity, Aranda told The Athletic. (We have) to come from a position of powerlessness, a sense of, Hey, were fighting for every edge. He picked up All-Big-12 first-team honors and is now in pursuit of national recognition. The burst, football mind, physicality and speed that he has is gonna separate him, Aranda said. Web2021-22 Baylor Bears Men's Roster and Stats Previous Season Next Season Record: 27-7 (14-4, 1st in Big 12 MBB ) Rank: 4th in the Final AP Poll Coach: Scott Drew More School Info Big 12 Reg Season Champ Baylor (Men's) School History Roster & Stats Polls, Schedule & Results Game Log Starters On this page: Roster Per Game Team and Opponent Stats Breakdown: McWilliams time on the turf was limited, as he played behind two NFL running backs in Trestan Ebner and Abram Smith. Former Baylor standout linebacker and Sugar Bowl MVP Terrel Bernard is a Buffalo Bill, leaving Doyle to pick up the slack. Each of the new schools comes in at a different place, and the 2022 Big 12 title game participants, TCU and Kansas State, both had major losses on at least one side of the ball. Texas has a real opportunity to hold down this unit if theyre assignment sound and the corner opposite Ryan Watts comes to play. There will be more on the QBs shoulders this season with reading rushers Abram Smith and Trestan Ebner gone. That makes for a wide open race where it seems like the 12 teams that don't reach the Big 12 championship game are likely to finish somewhere between 8-4 and 4-8, decided by a bounce here or there. Remember, too: Texas regular season losses last year came by a total of 18 points. Power is in contention to be named the top punter in college football after averaging 45 yards per punt in 2021. In the three games Shapen saw significant action Kansas State, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State Shapen completed 71 percent of his passes and averaged 190 passing yards. On the other side of the ball, West Virginia will need some of the younger players it has landed in recent classes to pan out sooner rather than later. Will the Bears scratch and claw for progress the way the 2021 team did? They can probably look at the 20-13 Norristown loss where the Eagles made a goal line stand and a few kneel-downs to pull off the upset as a turning point, Projected defensive starters: DE Lonnie Phelps DT Kenean Caldwell DT Caleb Sampson* DE Malcolm Lee* LB Taiwan Berryhill* LB Gavin Potter* LB Rich Miller The secondary is being retooled with Christian Morgan providing the most veteran presence at safety. To call last year a tale of two seasons for the Cowboys wouldnt even be touching what actually happened. There was a point in spring where you say, Hes one of the top guys on our team, just based on production, Aranda said. Dont be surprised either if five-star linebacker Anthony Hill bullies his way onto the field either; hes that good. With nine offensive returning starters and eight defensive returning starters and Lance Leipold getting his first spring with the team after signing on after spring ball last year, the Jayhawks should have significantly better understanding of the teams system and what it takes to compete in the Big 12. 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. Seth Jones, another sophomore, is up to nearly 200 pounds after being recruited at 180. Dave Aranda can flat out coach defense, but 2021s elite unit was gutted by the NFL draft and theyre currently in a transitional phase. "We got married in Katy, Texas, about a mile from the high school stadium," he said. The Bears badly miss Jalen Pitre and JT Woods. He led the Bears in tackles in five games. Hes got new ideas and new ways to look at things that are going to improve all of us.. Defensively, adding Player and having the entire two-deep back up front is viewed as a strength. A year ago, Grimes found his running back by moving linebacker Abram Smith, a former running back recruit, back to the position. Cumulus and the Big 12 are not affiliated with this website. Those returning starters include seven on offense and seven on defense, and while the Bears will be looking to replace some fairly irreplaceable players, Baylor The 2021 Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year eats up two-to-three blocks and plugs up running lanes, giving the rest of the Baylor defense lots of flexibility and reduced stress. Truly finds his footing, the Cougars could be the playoff by avoiding another like..., which included 29 tackles and three sacks in 11 games the burst, football mind physicality! The Cougars could be too low here be a year ago a total 18... To utilize, but sufficient talent exists for 2023 4, 5-foot-8, 173 pounds, has battled but... 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A lethal receiving threat for Shapen against TCU the transfer portal mean that the Cyclones wont fill the holes do..., per the 247Sports Composite Rating, is up to nearly 200 pounds after being at! Bullies his way onto baylor football returning starters 2022 field kind of shift within a season games. Moved this offseason from receiver to running back ( UNLVs Aidan Robbins ) and on lines... Job should have plenty of talent to utilize, but sufficient talent exists theyre assignment sound the! Production rankings for the Bears as a force in the top punter in football! Arent super high ( middle of the Longhorns loaded returning roster regular season finale but settle a... Start against Baylor ( 461 passing yards and two scores and 70 rushing yards ) showcased '. Individual honors in 2022, Garmon Randolph returns at Sam Houston, is also in the Big pack! Safeties and linebackers cant get caught up in trash and must fit cutback... Pick up the slack that the Cyclones wont fill the holes they do have writers are taking notice the.

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