58 Days till Kickoff: Baylor’s #58s Gavin Byers and Jaden Maronen
Gavin Byers is a junior offensive lineman from Grapevine, Texas. Listed at 6-foot-5, 320 pounds, Byers can hold his own with solid athleticism and will be the next man up if Connor Galvin or Khalil Keith get injured. Past this season, he’s on track to be a pivotal piece for Baylor’s offensive line in his final two years of eligibility. He will be studying business while at Baylor and was First-Team Academic All-Big 12.
Our own Travis Roeder believes that Gavin Byers will be one of three key role players in the upcoming season. “This Fall, I expect OL coach Eric Mateos to allow Byers to compete with Mose Jeffery and Micah Mazzccua for the open left guard spot, so he could win that spot. However, even if he doesn’t, he is going to play a ton this year, either rotating in with guys at tackle or filling in at any spot except center if/when someone is injured. This OL is set up to be one of the strongest positions on the team, and it’s because Baylor finally has depth with guys like Byers, who would’ve been the best OL on the team 5 years ago but are now primary backups.”
In 2021, he started the first eight games at right tackle and then missed the game against TCU. Once he returned, he saw action in the final five games. As a freshman in the shortened 2020 season, Byers played in all nine games, primarily on special teams.
At Colleyville Heritage High School, Byers led the blocking for a rushing attack that totaled 2,558 yards and averaged 6.2 yards per carry in 2019. He helped his team to a 9-5 record as a senior and was graded at 91 percent with 150 knockdowns. Byers was a three-time All-District selection and was the No. 135 player in Texas and No. 69 offensive guard according to 247. He was also a standout basketball player and performer in the shot put and discus. Byers committed to Baylor over Arkansas and Texas Tech.
Jaden Maronen is a redshirt freshman linebacker from Katy, Texas. He will have three years of eligibility remaining past this season, and Baylor’s website has him listed at 6-foot-0, 225 pounds. While at BU, he plans on majoring in health science studies, and he made the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll in the fall of 2021.
At Katy High School, Maronen helped lead his team to a 13-1 record and a state championship, as a senior in 2020. He was Second Team All-District and totaled 82 tackles, 9.0 TFL, 12 QB hurries, and 4.5 sacks. While at Katy, Maronen also competed in track and field. He committed to Baylor as a preferred walk-on in February of 2021.