Willie Allen

Finding talent, depth, and continuity for the most important position group on the field is key to Baylor's success in the 2018 season.

Things are getting interesting. As things sit today, Baylor will enter spring ball with a total of 84 players on scholarship including 19 signees. That means the staff can take one more spot to get to 85 overall, putting them at 20 for the class. But attrition isn't finished, and as is the case in every recruiting cycle, the chances are that there will be a decommitment and/or grade casualty in the class. The biggest and most obvious needs are JUCO OL, high school QB, and any combination of safeties. If the Bears can fit those three categories into their class they will enter spring camp feeling good about the possibilities as the preparation for 2018 begins. But what if I told you (in an ESPN 30 for 30 narrator voice) that Baylor might be sitting in a position that they are actually allowed to be selective in the prospects they choose to take commitments from, all of which would be valuable pieces to the program? That's how things could be shaping up. I can't say how exactly it will unfold, but of the prospects that Baylor is still in the mix for, they sit in a very good position with all of them.The usual suspects:Gerry Bohanon Tommy Bush Daevon Robinson Byron HanspardCam JonesJohncarlo Valentin Willie Allen If the Bears were to somehow land the seven names from above without any attrition, the Bears would be stuck at six over the scholarship limit. There are still prospects which the Bears could be after, however. The next group:Levon Livingston (OL, Navarro)Reid Harrison-Ducros (DB, Boise State, transfer)Khalil Oliver (S, Oregon, grad transfer)Tre Watson (LB, Illinois, grad transfer)Gabe Megginson (OG, Illinois, transfer)Pat Nelson (S, Illinois, grad transfer)Each of those prospects has an interest in landing at Baylor at this time. The good news is that they could each fill significant needs immediately. The bad news is that Baylor has to figure out what they need the most from the listed prospects and move from there. (Note: The Illinois transfers are based on need and not solid intel as of right now.)Outside of the prospects listed there are still several other high school, junior college and transfers from four-year institutions being closely evaluated by the staff, but these are the names worth closely monitoring currently.

Willie Allen https://twitter.com/willie_allen77/status/931243827138097152