55 Days till Kickoff: Baylor’s #55 Garmon Randolph
As always, keep track of both the stats and roster countdowns in the Offseason Hub!
Garmon Randolph is a junior linebacker from Jefferson, Georgia. He will have two years of eligibility remaining past this season if he elects to come back. The 6-foot-7, 265-pound freak athlete will be a force on the field in 2022 and he has a unique ability that not many others share, versatility. Randolph can drop in pass coverage, rush the passer, and play the run.
Many project Randolph to take a huge leap this upcoming season. Unfortunately, he was hurt throughout the spring and didn’t get much of an opportunity to showcase his talents. But our own Travis Roeder, pending good health, has this to say about Randolph, “He could conceivably get beat out by Tony Anyanwu, or he could put up a dominant year or two and be a Day 1 or Day 2 draft pick. Seriously. He profiles as a 6-foot-6 pass rusher who can drop in coverage. He has somewhat struggled against the run, but if he improves, that’s where he’ll make his money. He was a good player in 2021; if he becomes great in 2022, that could elevate the defense even further.”
The Georgia product had his best season as a Bear in 2021. Randolph totaled 30 tackles, two sacks, and an interception on the year. In the thrilling victory over No. 14 Iowa State at McLane, Randolph had six tackles and a clutch interception. He recorded four tackles and his second career sack in the blowout victory over West Virginia. He then finished the year on a high note, saving his best game of the season for last. Against No. 9 Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl, Randolph racked up eight tackles and got the game started with a huge sack.
As a redshirt freshman in 2020, Randolph saw action in five different games. He had one tackle in the season opener against Kansas (9/26) and his first career sack in Lubbock against Texas Tech (11/14). Although he did not record a stat, he also saw time in games against Kansas State, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State.
After arriving in Waco, Randolph found his niche on the defensive side of the ball and stayed at outside linebacker. He recorded his first career tackle against Stephen F. Austin and also made an appearance against West Virginia, but ultimately elected to redshirt the 2019 season.
Coming out of Jefferson High School in Georgia, Randolph helped his team to an 8-3 record in his senior season while playing both defensive end and tight end. In 2018, he totaled 34 tackles and one sack, while also recording 14 receptions for 205 yards and five touchdowns. He was Honorable Mention All-State in 2018 and was All-Region twice in his high school career. ESPN originally had him rated as the No. 7 tight end in the country and the No. 53 player in Georgia. He committed to Baylor over a plethora of SEC offers such as Georgia, LSU, Ole Miss, and Alabama.
