
Spring Football Spotlight: Baylor’s O-Line Focuses on Improvement and Consistency
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"Every team is its own team. We can't hold our heads high on last year's achievements when we still have a season to play this year," head coach Dave Aranda told his team following practice last Thursday.
While that statement rings true for much of the roster, it's particularly relevant to the offensive line, who return four starters — left tackle Sidney Fugar (RSr.), left guard Ryan Lengyel (RSr.), center Coleton Price (RJr.) and right guard Omar Aigbedion (Sr.) — from a unit that was arguably Baylor's most improved position group over the course of last season.
Like Aranda's message, second-year offensive line coach Mason Miller doesn't want any contentment from last season to carry over into the spring. He believes his group has a lot left to prove and accomplish, and building toward that goal starts now.
"I was pleased with what they did because I knew they could do it. Once they figured out they could do it, it was really cool to see that light bulb go on," Miller said. "Now, last year was last year. That was last year's team. This is the new season, so you can't just say, 'Oh, well,' because that was last year. We've got to improve ourselves this year."
That message has spread from the top down across the offensive line, with the senior guards — Aigbedion and Lengyel — leading the charge.
"Whatever success the offensive line had, we're going to put that aside and go to work for this season," Aigbedion said. "We finished the season in a good way, but we should have started the season that well, so that's what we're planning to do next season. I wouldn't say it's pressure, but we definitely have high hopes for ourselves."
Lengyel added, "Last year was last year. We're looking to have a hotter start as an offensive line. That midseason shift that everyone saw us performing at a high level, we want to start that week one and continue that through the whole season."
The aforementioned "midseason shift" completely changed the outlook of last year's team. Through the first five games, Baylor's offense averaged 150 rush yards and 368 total yards per game. Once Fugar was moved to the team's full-time left tackle against No. 16 Iowa State on Oct. 5, the Bears took off, averaging 199 rush yards and 485 total yards per game across the final eight contests.

"Once we put Sid at left tackle, you could feel that connection between all of us," Price said. "We understood that we were all on the same page, and that was a big change for our offense, and it helped us a lot."
Although the improvement was evident over the back half of last season, Miller hasn't eased up on his unit coaching-wise. The rest of the offensive line finds Miller's hard-nosed coaching style endearing and believes it pushes them to continue to improve.
"We can feel it with his energy," Lengyel said. "He hasn't really shifted in the way he's coaching us. It's not like a 'This is bad, but it's okay because of last year.' He's still name-calling us, ripping us and coaching us how he coaches us. We're listening to his words and trying to get better every day."
This spring, the offensive line is spending most of its time focusing on details instead of learning offensive coordinator Jake Spavital's playbook. In year two with Spavital, there's greater comfort and synergy between the skill positions and offensive line.
"We still have to improve, but I think the biggest thing last year was we were drinking water out of a fire hose, learning a new offense, learning kids, learning all that stuff," Miller said. "It makes things a little more challenging, but they did a really good job. Now, the drills go faster, the calls go faster, all that stuff's a lot smoother."
Lengyel added, "Now we didn't really have to focus on how slow we installed stuff, especially going into padded practices in the spring — we got off hot. When we came back in January and started football schools, we reinstalled everything for the young guys, and once we put pads on, we were go, go, go, and had 90% of the offense in within the first two days."
With most of the playbook already installed, one of the main points of emphasis this spring is cleaning up controllable things. Spavital did a deep dive into his offense this offseason and noticed that when most drives stalled, it was due to self-inflicted mistakes. With much more familiarity in his system across the board, Spavital wants his unit to "control what they can control."
"If we get penalties, we're running after practice to cement that penalties are bad, and we have to pay for those," Lengyel said. "Here, it's okay to pay for them with running, but in the game, it's not okay to pay for them."
Aside from the four returning starters, the Bears plan to replace Campbell Barrington, who is out of eligibility, with Kaden Sieracki (RJr.) at right tackle. Sieracki was Baylor's sixth offensive lineman last fall; he started three contests and saw action in all 13 games.
"Kaden was our sixth guy last year, and that doesn't mean he's got the annointment cream, and it doesn't mean somebody can't take one of these guys' jobs, but that's part of the process," Miller said. "We all trust Kaden."
Price added that there will be no issues sliding Sieracki into a starting role, saying, "I feel like he's always been there. He's had a good amount of playing time last year and the year before. He's been in the big games. He's filling a spot, and now it's his — not for sure, but they're competing. Caden is pretty good where he's at right now, and I feel pretty comfortable with him being there."
Behind the four returning starters and Sieracki at right tackle, Miller mentioned that depth continues to be fostered, highlighting guys such as Louisville transfer Joe Crocker (RSo.), Colton Thomasson (RSo.), Sean Thompkins (RSo.), Koltin Sieracki (RFr.), Matthew Parker (Fr.) and Harrison Cluff (Fr.).
Miller also said that the transfer portal could be an option after the spring for another depth piece. He also noted that true freshmen shouldn't anticipate playing right away, and that people should be wary of recruiting rankings, particularly for offensive linemen.
"Everybody puts expectations on people just because of something that was put in the rankings and all that stuff," Miller said. "Linemen are different. I've had some that nobody ever wanted that are playing in the NFL, and some of them were the greatest thing since sliced bread and couldn't play dead in a Western."
Other Spring Football Reading
- Down the Line: Wright's Departure, Changes to McLane, Prentice Shines & More
- Presser: Mason Miller & Offensive Linemen Talk Baylor Spring Football
- WATCH: Baylor's Offensive Line is Taking Steps as Spring Practice Continues
- Spring Football Spotlight: Baylor's Running Back Room Gears Up for Big Season Ahead
- Spring Football Spotlight: Led by Robertson & Spavital, Offense Eyes Greater Success