SicEm365 Staff Roundtable: What's the Biggest Fall Camp Storyline to Monitor?

As fall camp approaches, the SicEm365 staff will address the most pressing questions about the football team. So far, the staff has given varying opinions on what’s considered a successful season, breakout players, the biggest questions surrounding the squad, the toughest game on the schedule and who will be the most impactful transfer. Today, the staff will examine their biggest storyline heading into fall camp.

Colt Barber – The Secondary

Oddly, I’m at ease with the status of the defensive line and linebacker positions. There are plenty of unknowns there, but the depth, talent, and potential are something that is about being sorted out more than anything. In the secondary, I’m truly interested in what the Bears have. 

Returning safeties Devin Lemear (who battled with his dislocated elbow injury most of the season) and Devyn Bobby both had their ups and downs as sophomores, but there is no replacement for experience and they have played a combined career 2,062 snaps. Transfer Cameren Jenkins might provide some depth, but I’m looking to see the progress of Corey Gordon and DJ Coleman first, if Josh Lair can make an impact as a true freshman and if Carl Williams might be relieved of his duties at STAR with a few exceptions.

Caden Jenkins is the prize of the group at corner, but Chateau Reed and Tevin Williams should provide great depth pieces. The key will be who takes over the second corner position. New-old transfer Lorando Johnson has a shot to do that, but the wild card here could be redshirt freshman LeVar Thornton. 

At STAR, the two focal points are Kendrick Simpkins and Carl Williams, with Tayshawn Wilson coming along nicely. Simpkins is what was expected around the line of scrimmage, and Williams is the true nickel option in passing situations. If Simpkins can become an all-around STAR, Williams might have a role aiding one of the two other safety positions. 

There are a lot of options across the board in the secondary which is nice considering the way 2023 went back there.  Who emerges this fall camp and separates themselves in key spots might tell us a lot about the entire defense during the season. 

Grayson Grundhoefer – Did Baylor Do Enough in the Transfer Portal?

I have been very open about criticizing the staff in past years for misevaluating the talent on the roster and the talent they bring in through the transfer portal. Last year, we saw that even though they took quite a few prospects in the portal, those additions weren’t good enough to move the needle for the team. This year, the staff has revamped NIL and taken chances on guys they probably wouldn’t have taken in years past, so the question is, did they make the correct evaluations? Those additions from Dequan Finn to Elinus Noel to Ashtyn Hawkins to multiple offensive linemen to Steve Linton to JaQues Evans and so on will likely make or break this season for the Bears.

Travis Roeder – Where Will Leadership Come From?

Let’s just acknowledge that the quarterback battle is the biggest storyline. Back when Finn committed to Baylor, I said that I would be very surprised but not shocked if Sawyer Robertson won the job; I still feel the same way. Finn is the heavy favorite, but he still needs to win the job. 

The other biggest storyline is team leadership. Football teams must be led by strong players who hold those around them accountable. 2022 was a talented but immature team that floundered in key moments; 2023 was a headless team with flashes from young guys but little leadership from veterans – 2024 must be different.

Quarterback is always the most important spot for leaders, and Baylor has been searching for a strong, leading quarterback ever since Gerry Bohanon left, so either Finn or Robertson must take the reins. The entire team is seemingly wide open. Who are the leaders on either side of the ball? It’s okay to somewhat let this play out early in the season, but if you don’t exit fall camp without a clear idea of who your head honchos are, you’re in trouble. 

Craig Smoak – The QB Competition 

It’s a mighty big piece of the puzzle. So, until Dequan Finn or Sawyer Robertson is officially named the starter, the buzz of speculation and anticipation will grow louder as we approach the regular season. So will the curiosity. If this stretches on longer because the duo is a prime example of iron sharpening iron, that’s terrific. Conversely, if neither player asserts their claim with authority, that’s problematic. Hopefully, between the two, Baylor finds itself a difference-maker in the position. We’ll find out soon enough, and with camp kicking off, it may be soon enough to age this post like milk. Beyond that, my biggest questions can only be answered once we see this team in live-action against real competition.