SicEm365 Staff Roundtable: Who Will be Baylor's Most Impactful Transfer?
As fall camp approaches, the SicEm365 staff will address the most pressing questions about the football team. Last week, the staff gave varying opinions on breakout players, the biggest questions surrounding the squad and the toughest game on the schedule. Today, the staff will answer who the Bears' most impactful transfer will be.
Colt Barber – Tight End, Michael Trigg (RJr.)
Individually, I hope it’s Elinus Noel at nose tackle. Noel has arrived just as large as expected and maybe more explosive and strong than anticipated. If linebacker Keaton Thomas was from the portal and not junior college, he would undoubtedly be my pick. But I’m going out on a limb here (skipping the obvious choices) and going with Michael Trigg at tight end. This is 100% based on Trigg meeting his potential as a player, but he’s probably the most overlooked potential addition to the roster. Cal tight end Jack Endries caught 35 passes for 408 yards and two touchdowns last season. Trigg might not lead Baylor in receiving yards, but he is capable of making life easier for Dequan Finn and the receivers with his presence on the field. Let’s hope he keeps it together off the field.
Grayson Grundhoefer – Quarterback, Dequan Finn (5Sr.)
Baylor finally has a quarterback with dynamic abilities like Robert Griffin III or Seth Russell. That ability gives the offense a chance to create explosive plays down the field, create off-script success, create big plays with his feet and score points at a high level. Dequan Finn has over 8,500 total yards of offense and 87 touchdowns in his career, plus he has a MAC Championship and an 11-win season under his belt. This guy is a winner, a stat-sheet stuffer and a difference-maker for the Bears at quarterback in a new offensive scheme with upgrades at wide receiver. Watch out.
Travis Roeder – Wide Receiver, Ashtyn Hawkins (5Sr.)
If Dequan Finn is the starter, he’s the answer without much competition; quarterback is the most important position in sports. Outside of him, it’s Ashtyn Hawkins. He’s almost assuredly going to lead the team in targets and receptions and will likely be Baylor’s “go-to guy” in critical passing situations. I don’t think he has a super high upside, but he will be heavily involved and is very important to Baylor’s season. They don’t really have anyone who can replace him.
Craig Smoak – Quarterback, Dequan Finn (5Sr)
I tried to find a different path for this question, but the signing of Finn is the easy answer. He was a priority investment out of the portal, brought in to be the starter and, ultimately, a difference-maker at the most critical position. Finn has some electricity in his game that hopefully supercharges the rest of Jake Spavital's offense and brings a jolt to the team and fanbase. The lack of crowning a starter until now has helped fuel the idea of competition and encouraged more development, but also, in some ways, tempered outside expectations. Well, that and questions about the offensive line. But, whatever these Bears look like, Finn will be a leading reason why we're talking about them for better or worse.