Grading the Portal: Grayson & Colt Evaluate BU's Offensive Overhaul Heading Into Spring
Transfer Portal Review: Rebuilding Baylor Football's Aerial Attack
Two of our resident experts — Grayson Grundhoefer and Colt Barber — answer some of the top questions surrounding head coach Dave Aranda and the Baylor program as the transfer portal period has wrapped up, and we look ahead to spring football.
What grade would you give Baylor’s offensive transfer portal haul? Plus, where’s your overall optimism level with Jake Spavital’s group heading into spring football?
Grayson (Grade: B): I truly like what Baylor did on the offensive side of the ball, especially at the most important position in football, quarterback. Landing Florida transfer DJ Lagway gave the program some juice and some serious upside if he maximizes his potential. As I mentioned repeatedly, it was worth the shot at the right price. Baylor did a great job revamping the wide receiver room and tight end group. I couldn’t have asked for much more than they achieved this offseason with explosive playmakers like Dre’lon Miller (Colorado) and Hardley Gilmore IV (Kentucky), paired with older guys like Gavin Freeman (Oklahoma State) and Tony Livingston (Florida). I think there is a strong mix of talent and proven production, infused with an already talented but unproven group.
The offensive line will be the big question here. This will come down to coaching, development and evaluations. Period. I will continue to say this. In order to win in the Big 12, you don’t have to have the most talented offensive line in the league; you just have to have a group that works well together and fits the specific roles in the offensive scheme. If you have that, you can be good enough. Arizona, Arizona State, Texas Tech and TCU all finished in the bottom half of the league in sacks. Arizona and TCU also finished in the bottom half of the league in rushing yards per game. They all finished with eight or more wins, but Arizona State finished inside the top six in the league in scoring offense. You can get by without a great group if the coaching is strong enough and the talent around them is strong enough to overcome it.
Truly, I think this offense can be different in a good way. A more mobile and willing running quarterback, a better rushing attack due to health, a bunch of offensive linemen with chips on their shoulders, and a revamped receiving core that may not be as good as last year’s but has a chance to be in this offense. I am intrigued to see what offensive coordinator Jake Spavital can do with this group and how he will develop Lagway. At this time, I firmly believe this is going to be a boom or bust offense, meaning it’s either going to be pretty bad, like outside the top 60 or really good and inside the top 25. I don’t see it being just average.
Colt (Grade: B+): It was pretty obvious that the market for the offensive line was more expensive than the last couple of years, and Baylor took their shots early to get guys they liked that will come in and compete for starting positions. My biggest concern is still the left tackle position, but I strongly believe Baylor’s other four positions will feature strong competition and ultimately form a solid starting unit. Depth is my biggest question mark, and it comes down primarily to overall numbers. I don’t have massive expectations for this group, but I feel comfortable that the scheme can work around some weaknesses, as it always does.
At wide receiver and tight end, I don’t know that Baylor could have done much better overall. No, there isn’t an addition that has huge career numbers, but those types are tough to land in the portal. What Baylor did get with Dre’lon Miller, Hardley Gilmore IV and Gavin Freeman are three guys with solid P4 production and very defined roles. Both Miller and Gilmore have untapped potential and multiple years left to play, meaning their ceilings are still farther away than what they have shown. With Miller specifically, I’m not sure that Baylor has had a receiver on campus with his overall potential since Corey Coleman.
At tight end, Tony Livingston brings a bit of a different dynamic than Michael Trigg with his experience as an in-line tight end, but he has some playmaking ability as well. He has a ton of potential for a tight end and could provide some great options in supporting the offensive line in the run game.
And then there is the polarizing quarterback position with Lagway. Look, I know his TD/INT ratio and how there is concern that Baylor overpaid to get him based on his high school ranking. What I can tell you is that I feel very confident Baylor didn’t have to overpay and came out well in this situation. By all accounts, this was the guy Jake Spavital wanted out of the portal because of his raw attributes, and his connection to Baylor only made it better. Is there a chance he flops? Of course. But the reward variable, if it all comes together for him, is massive. We will see if Spavital can bring the best out in him, because his best is the best.
