Baylor Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017
By Matt Workman
With opening kickoff fast approaching for Baylor football, here’s a look at the projected two-deep depth chart for 2017.
Baylor is off and running toward 2017 with fall camp having already started for the Bears. Spring practice has come and gone and summer workouts are over — it’s time to look forward to fall. The Bears lost some key players to the NFL Draft and look to rebuild the program.
Matt Rhule is the new sheriff in town and is rebuilding the Bears in his image with all new offensive and defensive schemes. The Baylor we have all gotten used to is long gone and no one really knows what to expect from the Bears in 2017.
They look to rebound from a disappointing second half of the season and get back to winning double-digit games.
Lets take a look at the early projected two-deep depth chart for the Baylor Bears.
Offensive Line
Starting tackles: Mo Porter (LT), Patrick Lawrence (RT)
Backups: Josh Malin, Henry Klinge III
Matt Rhule has done nothing but praise Mo Porter early in fall camp. By his estimations, Porter has excelled in new system and is an NFL lineman. Patrick Lawrence brings experience to a very thin offensive line that has no choice but to have several true freshmen on its depth chart. Josh Malin is a converted defensive player and Henry Klinge III is a true freshman.
Starting center: Sam Tecklenburg
Backup: Ryan Miller
Sam Tecklenburg is a converted tight end and is penciled in as the starter and Ryan Miller is a freshman. This position illustrates the depth issues Baylor has on the line. However, the coaches are confident in Tecklenburg’s ability to pick up the slack at center.
Starting guards: Tyrae Simmons (LG), Blake Blackmar (RG)
Backups: Ishmael Wilson, Xavier Newman
At guard, there is a mix of experience and youth with Blake Blackmar, Ishmael Wilson and Tyrae Simmons, all upperclassmen, and Xavier Newman, a freshman. Guard is another position that illustrates the lack of depth at offensive line with another true freshman on the two-deep.
The offensive line, as a whole, is a major area of concern with the least amount of depth or experience. Rhule acknowledged the depth issues at Big 12 media days, commenting that offensive linemen are not allowed to get hurt.