Through 3, and using some dumb mental calculation depending on competition we played, I'd give these grades for the following:
Seth Russell/QB: C+. It was a low D prior to the Oklahoma State game where he looked much sharper. Iowa State and Kansas will be huge for Seth.
Running backs: C. A big part is the offensive line getting no push, but it hurts when Shock has been pretty invisible outside of one half.
Wide receivers/tight ends: C+: Our #1, Cannon has been gimpy and aside from one monster game and a couple of touchdowns vs. NWS, he's looked lackluster. Zamora looks like a bonafide star but it's been one game. Same with Platt - he showed his Tevin Reese like ability and danger last game but he was downright awful the previous 3. Lynch shows star flashes but has a long way to go mentally. Everyone else hasn't really done much of anything. It was WRU against OKState which is encouraging but we need to see consistency and one or two newer guys (Platt, Lynch, Stricklin, Jones) step up.
Offensive Line: C+: I give it a C+ primarily due to the pass blocking which looks great. The run blocking gets an F from me. It just looks like a complete weakness so far. Hopefully Iowa State and Kansas gives them some confidence.
Defensive Line: C: It's hard to complain about a lack of sacks and pressure from your 3 when you are in a 3-4 but I thought it'd be a complete disaster outside of KJ. Lewis looked awesome vs. the weaker competition as did Jacobs, but aside from that, stopping the run is going to be a major problem. I really like Roy and Xavier Jones depth wise though.
Linebackers: A: This has been the best part, and I give them a pass with Blanchard missing the first two games. Blanchard, Young, Levels, and Edwards are all flat out studs. I think we have the best linebacker play in the Big 12 right now.
Secondary: B: Maybe the most optimistic I've ever been about a Baylor secondary. Stewart has played his best football as a Bear in my opinion. Verkedric Vaughns has been a stud and our best corner. Our best corner coming into the season, Reid has been limited since leaving the SMU game very early, so healthy Reid should be a major addition. Hall has been a disappointment in terms of his tackling but Waz has played solid. I can't say right now that we're going to lock up Tech, OU, Texas, or even TCU's receivers, but it's definitely moving in a positive direction. I also believe we have a young star in Grayland Arnold who I hope we'll get to see this Saturday. If Reid is limited, Arnold and Jameson Houston should both get chances.
Special Teams: B+: The first three games our blocking and tackling on ST was flat out amazing. That changed vs. OKState but I'm not expecting us to be a top 10 special teams unit, or whatever we were ranked after 3 weeks, against the top 30-40 teams in the country that we'll face. I'm very excited to see what Connor Martin can bring too.
