Denzel Mims performing at All-Big 12 level on and off the field

The words to describe Baylor sophomore wideout Denzel Mims has been limited so far, as they often are with prototypical receivers. He’s “big” and he’s “physical” are two of the most common descriptors for the 6-foot-3 former track champ. Combine that with “fast,” there’s one of those guys on virtually every roster in the nation.

Jim Black

But not every team has a receiver with a touchdown in each of his first five games this season. Baylor is the only one to lay claim to that. It’s Mims and his list of adjectives is bound to grow now that the nation should have its eyes on the sophomore from the small town of Daingerfield, Texas.

Through five games, Mims has 25 receptions for 533 yards (leading all sophomores) and nation-leading seven TDs. That puts him great company. He and the Biletnikoff-favorite, Oklahoma State’s James Washington, are the only receivers with over 500 yards and five TDs while also averaging a reception over 20 yards through five games.

“I feel good about the way I’ve been playing, but I need to do more … just knowing my assignments and blocking and doing a lot of stuff to help the people around me," Mims said.

Mims’ performances in the first three games were more than serviceable for a player who caught four passes for 24 yards last fall, but when head coach Matt Rhule called for more consistency from the receiving corps against Oklahoma to help Zach Smith control the offense, Mims took his game to a new level.

He scored three times against the Sooners who had not allowed a receiving touchdown until visiting Waco. Those three scores made up 96 of his 192 yards on 11 receptions.

He had similar success against Kansas State, acting as the offense’ main catalyst with a 70-yard score, his second of the season, tying Washington for the conference lead.

Before the game, converted cornerback Blake Lynch said he and Mims “go at it every day” in practice, each practicing on bigger bodies to improve their physicality. Having worked with Mims over the last year, Lynch also said he’s seen a big improvement from Mims. 

Baylor’s second-leading receiver slot receiver Tony Nicholson’s assessment 

“You throw the ball up to him, nine out of 10 times he’ll down with it,” slot receiver Tony Nicholson said. “He’s just a hardworking guy and brings a lot to the table.”

The physical traits and production are hard to ignore. They’re obvious at first blush. But what goes on

behind the scenes as the team looks for its first win in the Rhule era is just as important. Mims isn’t just leading the team’s stat lines but also taking charge in the locker room.

“Denzel Mims got all the receivers last night,” Rhule said Tuesday. 
He brought all of them to my office and said, ‘What do we have to do to be better?’

“This is a kid who’s leading the nation in touchdown catches. And he wants to come meet with me and say, ‘What do we need to do to be better?’ Not, ‘Hey, can I get the ball more?’”

With Chris Platt out for the season after similar production to Mims through the first four games, teams will start focusing on Mims more. Mims' effort to help build his supporting cast and not just his own stat line could be pivotal to get this team its first win of the season.

“We’re all hungry," Mims said. "We all want to do good and, since Platt’s out, a lot of people got to step up and that’s what they’ve been doing. We’re coming here every day and working to get more reps and focusing up at practice.”