Spring Football Spotlight: Prentice, Wilson Help Round Out Revamped Wide Receiver Room
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As wide receivers coach Dallas Baker enters his fourth season in Waco, he's especially fond of his unit this spring, which includes a steady mix of returning veterans, talented transfers, and a core group of highly rated underclassmen.
According to Baker, one of the identities of Baylor's wide receiver room this spring is their relentless effort in practice, something that wasn't necessarily there at all times last year.
"For example, I don't have to make them practice hard," he told the media last week. "Last year, with some of the older guys, you know, when you're older, I was even like that, like, 'Ah. Here we go.' The new guys [aren't like that] because it's something new."
Baker continued, "But with the rest of the guys, they come out and practice hard every single day, no matter how hot it is or if it's raining. For me, as a coach, I love that. The mistakes are my job to fix, that's why I get paid. If they had it figured out, they wouldn't need me."
The wide receiver room's desire to improve starts with redshirt senior Josh Cameron and sixth-year senior Ashtyn Hawkins, both of whom Baker likened to having another coach on the field at all times.
Cameron led the Bears last season in receptions (52), receiving yards (754) and touchdowns (10), but Baker admitted that he sees a lot of himself in Cameron and believes the Cedar Park native can take another step forward leadership-wise.
"Josh doesn't talk. Josh isn't flashy. But from the moment I got here, Josh worked hard," Baker said. "Josh needs to be more of a vocal leader. Hal [Presley] was more of the vocal leader and the dog for the whole team. When Hal spoke, everybody listened, even some coaches. For Josh, he made plays, but now, it's time for him to be a vocal leader. I don't believe in the lead by example thing — anybody could do that."
Meanwhile, Hawkins was second on the team last year in receptions (45), receiving yards (567) and touchdowns (5), but is donning the Green and Gold for another year after the NCAA granted him another season of eligibility due to playing at Cisco Community College in 2020.
"It was huge to get him back," Baker said of Hawkins. "If you watch the games like I watch them, and then the maturity level. He's been in this offense longer than I have."
One of the staples of Jake Spavital's offense is screens, and for a wide receiver to see time on the field, it’s a requirement to block on the edge. Although Hal Presley was fourth on the Bears in receiving yards (429) and third in receptions (31) last fall, Baker noted that he blocked harder than anyone on the team. Because of his effort to block consistently, Presley is getting potential NFL Draft looks, something that Baker wants the rest of the team to realize this spring.
"Hal is getting a bunch of phone calls," Baker said. "Hal took a visit and met with the team. And Hal didn't have a bunch of yards, and so I'm using that in the room. They want to draft Hal all because of how hard Hal blocked."
The replacements for Presley and two other graduating wide receivers — Monaray Baldwin and Ketron Jackson — this offseason were Alabama's Kobe Prentice and Texas State's Kole Wilson, who came via the transfer portal.
As for why they chose Baylor, Prentice said, "The biggest thing I like about this place is that it's a Christian community, so it's really warming. I grew up in a church, so everybody's around me pushing me to become close to God before football, which is allowing me to thrive in football."
Wilson added, "One, the family environment. Two, I had a former teammate, Ashtyn Hawkins, who plays here and excels in the offense. He was telling me that this is the place I need to be. We run a similar offense, pretty much the same offense as I ran at Texas State, so it's really easy to pick up. I know in this offense, I could get open real easy, and it's pretty close to home."
At 5-foot-10, 182 pounds, the speedy Prentice played in 36 games over three seasons at Alabama, totaling 60 catches, 780 yards and five touchdowns. The Alabama transfer has made a name for himself this spring with an array of highlight plays, but jokingly says he doesn’t “want to give up the tips” for why he fits so well in Spavital’s scheme.
Wilson spent his freshman campaign at Incarnate Word before following head coach GJ Kinne to Texas State for two seasons. The 5-foot-9, 165-pound pass catcher played in 25 games with the Bobcats and collected 109 catches for 1,377 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Wilson believes Spavital’s offense perfectly fits him, noting, “I bring a lot of speed and quickness. You can get the ball in my hands, or I can take you up top too. I feel like I bring a lot of experience as well because, since I was a freshman, I’ve been playing. Everywhere I go, I fit right in and I go. I’m a real smart guy, so my IQ is up there, whether that’s helping freshmen or people my age. I can take help as well. In all aspects, I help a lot.”
Another name to watch out for is rising sophomore Jadon Porter, a four-star prospect in the 2024 recruiting class and a local product from Lorena High School. Porter only caught two passes last season and saw time in seven contests, but Baker believes he’s due for a breakout season and has some of the highest potential on the roster.
“I don't call him ‘Rook’ because he's young,” Baker said. “I actually call him ‘Rook’ because the first time I saw him, I said this kid is gonna play in the NFL one day. He's probably mad that I told everyone a secret about why I call him ‘Rook,’ so I'm extremely hard on him because of our relationship.”
As for the true freshmen on the roster — Taz Williams, Ashton Jones and Jacorey Watson — Prentice called them a “special group,” and Baker had nothing but positive things to say about the youngsters.
“I'll see things about Taz, and I'll be honest, it's not that it bothers me, but it's like, he's not the only young guy we have,” Baker said. “Ashton Jones is making plays. That young man is going to be really, really, really good, because he does some things, and I'm just like, ‘Dang, I didn't even teach that.’ Jacorey is just a natural.”
Baker continued, “With those three young guys coming in the spring and showing flashes, like I told them, if we can get the ‘26 class, with this '25 class of receivers, Baylor will be back like they were back in the day, when they were called ‘Wide Receiver U.’ I'm just looking forward to that. One day at a time, though.”
Other Spring Football Spotlights:
- Cornerbacks Embrace Change Under Paul Gonzales
- Baylor's Running Back Room Gears Up for Big Season Ahead
- Led by Robertson & Spavital, Offense Eyes Greater Success
- Baylor’s O-Line Focuses on Improvement and Consistency