Baylor Football: 2017 season preview and predictions
By Matt Workman
Offense
The Baylor offense will look very different in 2017 and not just because of the scheme. Matt Rhule will have the task of replacing a substantial amount of production from last year’s roster. Losses of KD Cannon and Ishmael Zamora leave the wide receiver position wide open for someone to step up. Also departed is Baylor’s all time leading rusher in Shock Linwood. On the offensive line Baylor will have to replace NFL draft pick Kyle Fuller and Dom Desouza who retired from football.
There will be a stable of young receivers looking to make their presence felt in the Big 12. Chris Platt is a speedster who should see more time on the field in 2017. In addition to catching passes, Platt will be moonlighting as a cornerback for the defense. Tony Nicholson is also one to watch. Nicholson is penciled in as starting inside receiver. He will double as the Bears’ kick-off and punt return man.
Baylor also has a host of sophomores to get the ball to including Blake Lynch, Jared Atkinson, Denzel Mims and Pooh Stricklin. Also keep and eye on true freshman R.J. Sneed who was a spring enrollee and will look to make his presence felt.
Quarterback
This might be the most open quarterback battle in the country. With a new coach and offensive staff coming in it could go any way as to who gets the starting nod. There are three main candidates with different styles and varying degrees of experience.
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Zach Smith is the returning starter. He was thrownin to the fire due to injury to Seth Russell. Smith threw for 1,526 yards and 13 touchdown along with seven interceptions. Anu Solomon is joining the Bears as a grad transfer from Arizona and is more of a dual threat option. Solomon has shown flashes during his career but has battled staying healthy.
The third option would be freshman Charlie Brewer. Normally freshman aren’t considered, but Brewer was the most efficient QB in the nation his senior year in high school. He boasted a 78 percent completion rate. He enrolled in spring and has just as much time in new system as any one.