Princeton Pines

Quite a bit of change has happened the past six seasons for recruiting. Each of the staffs evaluations was different with each having a different philosophy on offense and defense.Briles went for speed, speed, and more speed on offensive skill positions. Offensive line figured in the space eating mountain movers who could get in the way of oncoming rushers to allow a strong armed quarterback to get the ball out quickly. Quarterback wasn't a necessity if three were on campus, but if two were, the arm strength and height needed for the position.Defense was a different philosophy with many elite players not being as interested as the offensive side. Corners were left on an island to defend, so they had to run, but many were smaller. Same for safeties who were undersized and usually corners in high school. Defensive line was a hodge podge of athleticism with 6-2 240 type defensive ends and then 6-1 to 6-4 300+ interior plugs to allow the linebackers to make plays. Linebackers were also a unique collection of size and speed, but rarely both combined. Grobe was non-existent as he left a clean slate for the 2017 staff coming in, besides Jalen Pitre.Rhule had specific wants for their positions. Quarterbacks were 6-2+ with athleticism to move. Also, one was taken each year. Running backs had to run fast and be able to catch the ball. Receivers needed to be physical and willing to block. They also had to have 4.6 or better speed. Offensive line were 6-4+ with feet to move. Moving away from the mountain movers of the Briles era. Developmental prospects were taken with the measurements required from the database even if the film was questionable. The staff believed they could develop what they needed if they had the parts to do it.Defense was a different philosophy with size being the predictor and speed second for the line. 6-4+ and 250+ with 4.8 or better speeds in the forty. A great shuttle could help a bad forty, but long arms was also wanted. Linebacker also needed size with 6-2+ backers or safeties to be spun down to the position. Running in the 4.6 range for linebackers was necessary. Corners were 5-11 and above with a rare exception was Jahdae Barron at 5-9.5. Speeds in the 4.5 range and below for the forty were required. Safeties were again bigger than the Briles era with 6-0+ safeties with 4.5 and under speeds with long arms were sought. Each of the recruits were seen as projects to be redshirted and then be ready to play in 2-3 years. Aranda arrives with much of the Rhule era on campus with 62 returning players and 3 early enrollees, 9 more signed and one committed. This leaves 10 spots to fill to get to 85, depending on if Princeton Pines leaves in the portal or returns. As of today, don't look for certain heights on the offensive or defensive lines, but do look for athleticism. A 6-1 or 6-2 defensive tackle will be offered now, compared to the previous era. Speed will be emphasized on defense, just as it was during the Rhule era. No more 4.7 safeties, unless they are going to linebacker. 2021 will show us much more of Dave Aranda and his staff and I expect to see Baylor remain relevant nationally and also take the step up in higher rated recruits if they fit the needs of the staff.

Odds and ends of the game against SFA

As has been discussed here previously, 2018 OL Princeton Pines did not work out at all his first year on campus because of medical reasons. It wasn't until late spring or so that he was even partially cleared to begin conditioning. I have been told that he has been cleared and is full go with the team now. This could go a few different ways, but he should be able to receive a medical redshirt for 2018 and will be able to redshirt this fall as a freshman. He he would then be a redshirt freshman on 2020.Early feedback on him was very positive last summer when he arrived. If he can work his way back, some believe he will push for a starting spot on the OL with the losses coming after 2019. Whatever the case, the fact that he has been cleared is huge for the OL depth moving forward.