Baylor Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017
By Matt Workman
Defensive Backs
Starting safeties: Taion Sells (FS), Davion Hall (SS)
Backups: Chance Waz, Henry Black, Chris Miller
Safety is a position where the Bears have considerable experience, with three seniors on the two-deep in Taion Sells, Davion Hall and Chance Waz. Henry Black and Chris Miller are both sophomores and have worked well with new defensive staff.
Hall could have a big year in Phil Snow’s defense in 2017. He initially signed with Baylor as a receiver, however, he was highly-recruited on the defensive side of the ball and eventually moved over to defense. Hall, who is 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, showed flashes last year but was in and out of the lineup. I expect him to excel under new defensive backs coach Francis Brown.
Along with Hall, Sells and Waz have spent considerable time in the starting lineup and bring a lot of experience to the safety position. Both have shown they can excel in new system and with new coaching staff. Look for all three seniors to play a pivotal role this year.
Starting cornerbacks: Jameson Houston, Grayland Arnold or Verkedric Vaughns
Backups: Jourdan Blake, Chris Platt
The cornerback position is the one unit with least amount of experience on defensive side of ball. The starting corners are both true sophomores and the remaining corners are juniors. This is a position to definitely watch, by the end of the year it could turn in to a strength but will be tested against Big 12 offenses. Arnold played well in 2016 and could have had a big year but he was slowed down by injury. Houston has done well in spring ball and looks to continue to improve during fall camp.
One of the surprising names is that of Chris Platt. He has been a big contributor on the offensive side of the ball and appears to be making switch to defense or playing both ways. Matt Rhule has a knack for moving players around to find the right fit for their skills. He has already moved multiple players around to get the most out of his team.
This position is filled with athletic young players that could be a definite strength for Baylor, It all depends on how fast they can catch on to new system. By all accounts players are buying in to what Rhule and company are trying to do and it could set up to be a special year for Baylor defense.