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.
Defensive Line
Starting tackles: Ira Lewis (NT), Micheal Johnson (DT)
Backups: Bravvion Roy, Tyrone Hunt
In stark contrast to the offensive line, the defensive line is probably the deepest and most experienced unit for Baylor. At the tackle position Ira Lewis, Micheal Johnson, Bravvion Roy and Tyrone Hunt are all co-starters. They will all be featured often in 2017.
Look out for Roy who was having a standout freshman year in 2016 before an injury ended his season. Lewis and Hunt also had stellar years in 2016 and look to build on that with strong 2017 seasons.
Starting ends: K.J. Smith (end), Brian Nance (rush)
Backups: Greg Roberts, Xavier Jones
K.J. Smith played inside last year out of need and is moving back to outside which his more natural position. Brian Nance is the feel-good story of the year for Baylor. After sitting our last year and working to become eligible, he is back on Baylor’s roster and starting at rush end.
Nance has the opportunity to have a breakout year. He’s a former four-star recruit from Texas high school powerhouse Euless Trinity. He’s a natural pass-rusher and is playing the same position as Hasson Reddick who was drafted in first round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
Greg Roberts and Xavier Jones also had solid years in 2016 and gained valuable experience that will only the help the Bears defense in 2017.
Linebackers
Starting outside linebackers: Taylor Young, Lenoy Jones Jr.
Backups: Jordan Williams, Jalen Pitre
The outside linebacker position is led by all-everything starter Taylor Young. He has played all over the Baylor defense in the three years he has been in Waco and in 2017, he moves to his more comfortable position of Willy linebacker coming off the edge.
Baylor Bears Football
Lenoy Jones Jr. has gotten a lot of experience in his time at Baylor and looks to excel as Sam linebacker in Phil Snow’s scheme. Another notable name is Jalen Pitre — he was Baylor’s lone commit during 2016 season post-scandal. Pitre stayed loyal and committed to Baylor and looks to play big role in defense this year.
Starting Mike linebacker: Clay Johnston
Backup: Deonte Williams
Clay Johnston has been very impressive every time he has touched the field. He looks like he was born to play Mike linebacker, and he should — he is the son of an NFL strength coach. Johnston is expected to have a big year and is being compared to All-Big 12 and NFL linebacker Bryce Hager.
Deonte Williams was impressive in spring ball and looks to solidify his position as the backup Mike to Clay Johnston. Linebacker, like defensive line, is one of the deepest and most experienced units on Baylor squad.
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.
Wide Receiver
Starting receivers: Chris Platt, Tony Nicholson, Denzel Mims
Backups: R.J. Sneed, Jared Atkinson, Blake Lynch, Pooh Stricklin
The most recognizable name in this group is Chris Platt who had 567 yards receiving in 2016. He is the speed receiver Baylor fans are used to. Along with receiver, Platt will also play cornerback along with being on the track and field team at Baylor.
R.J. Sneed was an early enrollee after flipping his commitment from Ole Miss to Baylor. Jared Atkinson saw some playing time last year at wide receiver, but was behind mainstays such as KD Cannon and Ish Zamora.
Inside receiver is probably has the most versitile of players with the likes of Tony Nicholson and Blake Lynch. Nicholson moves over to offense from defensive side of the ball. Lynch has added weight and looks to make plays at receiver as well as running back.
Denzel Mims had a strong spring and the coaches show that they trust in him by making his one of the starting receivers. Pooh Sticklin had a solid 2016 and has proven to be a deep-threat for the Bears.
Related Story: Baylor will not recruit at IMG Academy
Wide receiver is usually a position of strength for Baylor. This year’s group is lacking on the experience of past years, but it has a ton of upside. Even without the normal fan fare, this group of young receivers could have a special year.
Running Back
Starting running back: JaMycal Hasty
Backup: Terence Williams
The running back position is one of Baylor’s strongest offensive units. JaMycal Hasty is tabbed as the starter but this will definitely be running back by-committee. He had 623 yards in 2016 and averaged 5.2 yards per carry. Terence Williams had 1,048 yards rushing in 2016 along with 11 touchdowns and 5.7 yards per carry.
The Bears will be without Williams until conference play in 2017 due to injury. To make up for the loss of Williams early on, Baylor will lean on talented freshmen and versatile receivers to carry the load.
Freshmen Jon Lovett and Trestan Ebner will be in the rotation early on and expect to get plenty of playing time. In addition to Lovett and Ebner, look for Tony Nicholson and Blake Lynch to also line up in the back field for the Bears.
With the losses of Williams and Abram Smith being out all year, Baylor will depend on a stable of running backs in 2017.
Quarterback
Starting quarterback: Zach Smith/Anu Solomon
Backup: Charlie Brewer
Most up for grabs position on the offense is the quarterback position. Leading candidate to be the starting quarterback is Zach Smith. Anu Solomon grad transfer from Arizona is also vying for the spot. Zach Smith threw for 1,526 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2016. Smith took over for Bears in the middle of season after and injury to Seth Russell. He struggled at times but finished the year strong against Boise State in the Cactus Bowl.
Solomon is coming to Baylor via Arizona as a grad transfer. He has had a very tumultuous career battling injury. In 2014, Solomon threw for 3,793 yards and 28 touchdowns. If he can capture some of that magic that he showed early on, he could have a great year for the Bears.
Brewer is penciled in as QB3 but do not count him out of battle. He was most efficient quarterback in nation his senior year of high school. Brewer, and early enrollee, led the team in efficiency in the spring at 70 percent.
All signs point to Smith getting the nod following fall camp however I expect to see plenty of Solomon as well. As a grad transfer Solomon only has one year in the program and it would be a waste not to utilize his skill set this year.
Next: College Football: Top 50 breakout candidates for 2017
All-in-all, Baylor is in a much better position at quarterback than it was last year. After the transfer of Jarrett Stidham and injury to Seth Russell Baylor was left with only one scholarship QB. Going into 2017, it now has three solid options.