20 Days till Kickoff: Baylor’s #20s Craig Williams & Devin Lemear

As always, keep track of both the stats and roster countdowns in the Offseason Hub!

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Williams will most likely split the running back duties this year with Taye McWilliams.

Craig “Sqwirl” Williams is a junior running back from Crosby, Texas. While Williams is technically entering his fifth season in Waco, he’s only considered a junior because he’s had quite the tumultuous career as a Bear due to injuries. However, if he can stay healthy, our own Travis Roeder thinks “Sqwirl” can be one of, if not the best running back in Baylor history. 

With a light frame of 5-foot-8, 173 pounds, and a laundry list of injuries, being healthy for the whole season is a tall ask. But it’s no secret when available, his speed, athleticism, and feel for the game are rarely matched. 

Williams appeared in the first two Big 12 games, recording one carry for three yards against Kansas and three carries for twelve yards against Iowa State, before sitting out the rest of the 2021 season.

2020 was somewhat of a breakout season for the Crosby native. Despite playing in only four games, Williams led the team in rushing yards (188), rushing touchdowns (2), and yards per carry (9.4). He opened the season against Kansas, rushing for 61 yards and a TD on a career-high seven carries. Williams showed all Baylor fans his potential in the loss to TCU, where he was one of, if not the only bright spot. He had nine carries for 82 yards, including a 32-yard TD. However, his breakout game came against Iowa State, where Williams had his first career start. He was clearly the best player on the field, rushing for 28 yards on eight carries before suffering a season-ending torn ACL.

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Despite playing in only four games in 2020, Williams led the team in rushing yards, with 188.

As a true freshman in 2018, Williams saw time in only two games. Against Kansas State, Williams ran twice for 35 yards, including a 21-yard TD, which was the first of his career. Williams redshirted the following season in 2019 because of injury.

“Sqwirl” rushed for 3,800 yards and 53 touchdowns in his career at Crosby High School. Williams totaled 1,990 yards and 32 touchdowns in his District 21-51 MVP campaign as a senior. He was also a finalist for the Touchdown Club of Houston Offensive Player of the Year. He was the No. 42 player in Texas, the No. 8 all-purpose back in the country, and was a three-star recruit, according to 247. Williams was also an elite track athlete and was ranked as the No. 6 high school sprinter in the country. He chose Coach Rhule and Baylor over Texas, Oklahoma State, and Auburn in the class of 2018.

And for those wondering how he got his nickname, I would highly recommend listening to his interview with our Paul Catalina. It’s fantastic. It has something to do with catching squirrels after his grandfather bet him he couldn’t.

Devin Lemear is a redshirt freshman safety from Manor, Texas. After our own Travis Roeder’s notes on Fall Camp from yesterday, it looks like Lemear is currently lined up as a starting safety on Baylor’s talented defense. BU’s website has the talented freshman listed at 6-foot-0, 177 pounds. Lemear is also studying computer science and has already made the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll an impressive two times.

Todd Nickle

Lemear is currently slotted as Baylor’s starting field safety.

Travis wrote an article back in the spring detailing the potential replacement for JT Woods, and Lemear was at the top of the list, “he brings enough to the table in the other areas – physicality, ball skills, short-area quickness – that it gives Aranda and Roberts something to work with. He’s a heady football player, and that goes a long way with Aranda. If he can demonstrate that he’s not a liability against deep-threat receivers, I think he will be the guy. He’s a much different style of player than JT was, as I think they’ll work more to get him in the mix closer to the line of scrimmage with blitzes.”

As a true freshman in 2021, Lemear recorded a career-high two tackles in the blowout victory over Texas Southern. He saw time against Kansas, Iowa State, and Ole Miss but was allowed to redshirt the season because he did not exceed the four-game limit.

At Manor High School, Lemear earned All-District honors while racking up 54 tackles, three PBUs, and an interception as a senior in 2020. As a junior, Lemear recorded 59 tackles and two interceptions. He was rated a three-star prospect, according to 247, and was also the No. 142 player in Texas. Dave Campbell’s had Lemear as the No. 3 safety in the state. He chose Baylor over TCU and Texas in the class of 2021.