Rhule addresses new roster addition Jake Fruhmorgen

The addition of offensive lineman Jake Fruhmorgen to Baylor's football roster last week was big even if just on the surface.

The former Clemson starter, also a former four-star prospect a U.S. Army All-American with offers from schools across the country including Alabama, would at least add practice-squad depth for 2017 before making his debut on the depth chart in the spring and fall of 2018.

Yes, depth on the offensive line is just that important around Waco.

But Fruhmorgen will have the opportunity to be more than just a depth plug for the Bears in the future despite questions regarding his commitment to the game after leaving a program that played in two National Championships, including a win against Alabama last season, while being a key piece.

Matt Rhule isn't too concerned about that part after his time spent time around the transfer on the weekend of July 29.

"It’s a tremendous addition for us," Rhule said. "You’re talking about a young man that started as a freshman and as a sophomore on a National Championship team and things happened and one thing led to another and he was out there and he’s here now."

Fruhmorgen suffered an injury in 2016 that caused him to miss the final four games of the regular season and the postseason. He elected to leave the ACC program in January and eventually announced his transfer to Florida in the early part of the summer. However, he never participated in a workout or attended a class.

The 6-foot-6, 310-pound lineman is now in Waco set to redshirt for the first time in his career.

"I think for him, an opportunity to take a year and really get strong, to get healthy," Rhule said. "I think an opportunity to take a year and study under Coach Deleone, I look for great things for him as maybe Mo Porter and those guys leave next year."

Fruhmorgen is currently overcoming an illness and isn't expected to practice until later in the fall, according to Rhule.

Fruhmorgen will have three seasons to play two.