Kelsey Johnson

Baylor becomes the ninth school to offer Red Oak linebacker Zach Smith. He discusses his relationship with Christian Robinson, his visit schedule, schools standing out, and more.

As I outlined in an article two months ago, the 2018 and 2019 classes for Baylor are basically gone from campus. The inherited players from Matt Rhule either didn't fit, were injured, or didn't perform up to the standards of the current staff. A few 2017 Super Seniors were also eligible to play.In the bowl game, those were churned even further with four starters missing the game due to opt out or allegedly stupid out.Players eligible to be on the Class of 2017 Khalil Keith OL - starter, sent homeGavin Holmes WR - starterBryson Jackson LB - specialty pass rusherChidi Ogbonnaya DL - backupCole Maxwell DL - starterClass of 2018Craig Williams RB - backupByron Hanspard S - great for locker roomConnor Galvin OL - starterChristian Morgan S - starterBen Sims TE - starterMark Milton CB - starter that opted outIssac Power P - starter kicking into a 25+ mph windClass of 2019Jaylen Ellis WR - backupMatt Jones LB - starterWill Williams LB - backupQualan Jones RB - backupGarmon Randolph JACK - starterTJ Franklin DE - starterGabe Hall DT - starterElijah Ellis OL - back upNoah Rauschenberg K - starter, kickoff specialist13 starters of the 24 from these three classes and 2 were not available and 2 are kickers. In 2023, at least four of these players return The depth is coming from the 2020/21/22/23 classes instead of the natural 2018/19 progression.Class of 2020 Starters Blake Shapen - QBTaye McWilliams - RBDrake Dabney - TEGavin Byers - OLLorando Johnson, Jr. CB, sent home from bowlAlfahiym Walcott - SClass of 2021 StartersHal Presley - WRMonaray Baldwin - WRSiaki Ika - NT, opted out of bowlClass of 2022 StartersRichard Reese - RBKelsey Johnson - TEClass of 2023 Starters/Transfers InCampbell Barrington - OLClark Barrington - OLKetron Jackson - WRJerrell Boykins - NTPalmer Williams - P15 of the 24 spots are essentially filled with players from 2020 and later. While not all are the same age or experience due to the portal, like the 2023 signees/transfers filling at least five spots of the the 15. The young classes will have to step up in 2023 if more portal transfers are not brought in to fill the gaps of 2018/19.

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