Baylor Football: 5 takeaways from Bears’ 2017 season

WACO, TX - OCTOBER 28: Head coach Matt Rhule of the Baylor Bears looks on as the Baylor Bears play the Texas Longhorns in the first half at McLane Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Waco, Texas. Texas won 38-7. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
WACO, TX - OCTOBER 28: Head coach Matt Rhule of the Baylor Bears looks on as the Baylor Bears play the Texas Longhorns in the first half at McLane Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Waco, Texas. Texas won 38-7. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /
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LUBBOCK, TX – NOVEMBER 11: Denzel Mims #15 of the Baylor Bears is unable to make the one handed catch while being defended by Jah’Shawn Johnson #7 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the game on November 11, 2017 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Baylor 38-24. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX – NOVEMBER 11: Denzel Mims #15 of the Baylor Bears is unable to make the one handed catch while being defended by Jah’Shawn Johnson #7 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the game on November 11, 2017 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Baylor 38-24. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /

4. Denzel Mims is Baylor’s best weapon

If there’s one skill position player that went under the radar in the Big 12 in 2017, it was sophomore Baylor wide receiver Denzel Mims. With season ending injuries hampering the Baylor receiving corps for most of the year, Mims had a lot of pressure on his shoulders to lead the way.

However, nothing seemed to phase Mims, including the injuries to Pooh Stricklin and Chris Platt, throughout the regular season. In the matchups against the Jayhawks and the Texas Tech Red Raiders, Mims combined for 17 catches, for 274 yards, and one touchdown.

In total, Mims caught 61 passes, for 1,087 yards and eight touchdowns. He led the team in nearly every major stat category for receivers, barring yards per catch. And, he’s only a sophomore and will return to Waco for his junior campaign.

Getting receivers like Stricklin, Platt, and Tony Nicholson back next year will help Mims out a lot. Some opponents were able to focus on him and lock him down completely. With more weapons surrounding him, that will not be the case in 2018.