Baylor's 2018 class can, will fill needs immediately
After a large number of Baylor's top players in the 2016 class headed to Auburn, Oklahoma State, TCU and Texas when they were released from their LOIs in 2016, it was inevitable that Baylor's next head coach (eventually Matt Rhule) was going to be tasked with rebuilding a roster that not only lost a number of high school and junior college signees but also lost key players to transfers and dismissals.
That led Baylor to playing a total of 15 true freshmen throughout, over half of a 27-man class that was assembled throughout the course of a two-month period. Of those 15, 10 have earned at least one start and six have started at least two games. All things considered, the number of freshmen who have played is not an outlandish number and the 12 true freshmen who had their redshirts preserved will pay dividends to the program in the future.
But the number of freshmen asked to take on significant roles, such as starting at left guard, cornerback, running back and now quarterback and receiver, is more than is needed in any program. We could start a discussion on a large number of sophomore contributors, but then we'd be discussing over 65 percent of the current roster. And ain't nobody got time for that. At least not today.
In 2018, Baylor is expected to take another close-to-full class, leaving an estimated 5-6 spots to go along with the 19 the staff currently has committed. The percentage of freshmen to receive playing time could lower, but significant roles will still need to be filled.
WIDE RECEIVER
Kalon Barnes (Silsbee)
Jackson Gleeson (Mansfield)
Josh Fleeks (Cedar Hill)
The three 2018 prospects are expected to contribute right away for the Bears in the 2018 season. This could seem odd considering the large number of sophomores who are in Baylor's program currently, but Baylor will lose Tennessee transfer Jalen Hurd and Chris Platt following 2018 season and will need to be ready to reload with experience in 2019. The loss of Platt will be the biggest key to the three 2018 prospects being ready for playing time as well, as each provides similar speed to stretch the field vertically, something the Bears have missed dramatically since Platt exited the 2017 campaign with a season-ending injury.
TIGHT END
Ben Sims (S.A. Clark)
Christoph Henle (Oakridge)
Bralen Taylor (Cuero)
Freshman tight end Tyler Henderson has kept his redshirt on in the 2017 season, one of the more interesting developments considering Baylor's tight end situation, but when the Bears lose Jordan Feuerbacher and Ish Wainright after 2017, that redshirt won't be enough to keep the combo of Sims, Henle and Taylor from seeing the field next fall. In an offense that intends to use pass-catching TEs more regularly in the future, not to mention in jumbo sets, the three freshmen will be needed immediately. The lack of depth and productivity from the position in 2017 should be the floor for the program in coming years.
RUNNING BACK
Craig Williams (Crosby)
Stanley Hackett (Sam Rayburn)
Sophomore JaMycal Hasty and freshman Trestan Ebner provide an explosion out of the backfield when given the opportunity, but with running backs Terence Williams and John Lovett the breakaway ability is not nearly as big of a threat. (Yes, I recall Lovett's long run against Kansas State). As the OL shores up its depth and scheme, an additional home run hitter is a must. That's where Williams comes in, a player who is expected to see the field as a true freshman and would undoubtedly be Baylor's most explosive back, especially if Ebner transitions back to receiver, where he was originally recruited.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Ylijaah Hall (Bryan)
Casey Phillips (Franklin)
Jackson Kimble (Southlake Carroll)
Connor Galvin (Katy)
Playing true freshmen on the offensive line is never ideal, but sometimes it's a reality, just as the Bears have had to play two true freshmen linemen in 2017 to get through the season and have a third listed on the depth chart. Baylor's 2018 OL class falls into a similar situation. A year of development would be ideal, but if the numbers put the Bears in a bind, the staff might not have a choice to play the youngsters.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Joseph Ogunbanjo (Alief Taylor)
Marje Smith (Marshall)
Joshua Landry (Houston Lamar)
Baylor is in desperate need of finding a consistent pass rush from their front four on defense. They have shown sparks of taking advantage of weaker offensive lines, but have rarely gotten consistent pressure in meaningful situations, something that is a must in Phil Snow's defensive scheme to allow the secondary to create mass confusion on quarterbacks in passing downs. While Smith will need time to develop physically, Ogunbanjo (6-4, 220) and Landry (6-3, 265) are both expected to see the field as true freshmen and should push Baylor closer to finding that consistency getting to the QB.
SAFETIES
JT Woods (Cibolo Steele)
Christian Morgan (Porter)
Baylor will lose seniors Taion Sells, Davion Hall and Chance Waz after 2017 and return four safeties with experience for 2018. After the position being one of the key weaknesses of the defense this fall, both Woods and Morgan will be expected to battle for significant time if they can prove to be sure tacklers and students of the game.
CORNERBACK
Mark Milton (Clear Brook)
Cornerback is Baylor's youngest but arguably the deepest position on the defense as things currently stand. A high school receiver, Milton will need time to adjust to playing corner at the college level, which he will have the opportunity to do without being forced into action early.
PUNTER
Issac Power (Parker, CO/Ponderosa)
Unless he can receive a medical redshirt year to replace 2017, Baylor will lose punter Andrew Galitz after the 2018 season. Power, a U.S. Army All-American punter, will be the next in line at the position, but could potentially handle kick-off duties for the Bears in the meantime to take pressure off of Galitz and field goal kicker Connor Martin.