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Baylor's 2016 Class: Where Are They Now?

July 9, 2019
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It is peak offseason and with 2016 a solid three years in our rearview mirror, checking in on the former Bear signees has become somewhat of a tradition.

What was heralded as one of the top classes in Baylor Football recruiting history has turned into a bust for much of the class which left Baylor for greener pastures. SicEm365 takes a look at what they were and have become for the current Redshirt Juniors and Seniors from the original class signed February 3, 2016.

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Zach Smith‍ had been committed for two years prior to enrolling and quickly made a decision to stay at Baylor. Pressed into action as a true freshman when Seth Russell was injured against Oklahoma after Jarrett Stidham‍ had transferred before the season. Smith would endure a three game losing streak in 2016 as the starter prior to leading the team to victory against Boise State in the Cactus Bowl. In 2017, Smith started six games and likely had his best game against Oklahoma where he threw for 463 yards and 4 touchdowns. Smith elected to leave the program and enroll at Tulsa where he is the expected starter for 2019 as a Redshirt Junior.

Completions Attempts Yards Touchdowns Interceptions
221 397 2997 21 15

Kameron Martin‍ was on the fence to stay and then felt a push to Auburn. Martin was able to get on the field soon and played in 35 games over his first three seasons. He rotated as a starter in 2018 and is expected to be in the top two backs for Tigers in 2019. His career highlight was an 80 yard performance on 22 carries against Washington in 2018.

Carries Yards Touchdowns Receptions Yards Touchdowns
221 1231 6 15 172 1

Tren'Davian Dickson‍ broke the national record for receiving touchdowns in a season as a Junior at Navasota before enrolling early at Baylor. Dickson then left the program to be closer to home in June 2016 and enrolled at Houston. Dickson was there for less than a semester before enrolling at Texas Southern. Dickson has found success in the SWACd by being the second leading receiver as a Redshirt Sophomore in 2018 by playing in 11 games.

                       Receptions Yards Touchdowns
                               46 796 6

Devin Duvernay‍ was considered to be the best receiver in the state. Blazing speed, sure hands, and a frame to handle physical play, Devin was released when his LOI was not sent in to the NCAA. Duvernay was also included in an NCAA infraction when coaches attended a track meet on the Baylor campus where he was involved. Duvernay enrolled at Texas and has been the third or fourth option under Charlie Strong and Tom Herman despite playing in all 39 games while in Austin. As a soon to be returning starter, Duvernay will look to regain the speed and consistency seen at Sachse High School for his Senior season.

               Receptions Yards Touchdowns
                       70 1082 7

Donovan Duvernay‍ was a package with his brother and transferred to Texas with him. Donovan has played in four games in three seasons and enters 2019 as a Reshirt Junior with one tackle.

                                             Games Played Tackle
                                                             4 1

Brandon Bowen‍ was the prototypical defensive end Baylor fans had been waiting for and landing him was no small feat. Bowen struggled with the decision, but eventually enrolled at TCU. During his time at TCU, Bowen has battled injuries during  his time in Ft. Worth and enters his fourth season as a Redshirt Junior for the Frogs. He is 3rd team Right End on the depth chart released May 31.

              Games Played Tackles Tackles For Loss
                          10 4 1

Parrish Cobb‍ was a late steal from Oklahoma and created plenty of attention, prior to being released, as a local prospect with his father going to the press. Cobb would enroll at Oklahoma and play in five games of the 2016 season where he totalled seven tackles. Cobb would then return home, be charged with and convicted of aggravated robbery where he received 18 years and is eligible for parole in 2026, but expected to be released in 2035.

            Games Played Solo Tackles Assisted Tackles
                         5 6 1

Patrick Hudson‍ was another player to struggle with the decision to leave the class, but he chose Texas in the end. Like others, his career ended prematurely. Hudson was injured in 2016 and redshirted. He played in the first game of 2017 and suffered a season ending injury. In 2018, Hudson suffered a heat induced injury and was hospitalized during conditioning drills. Hudson retired from football prior to the 2019 season after playing in two career games.

                                                                             Games Played
                                                                                         2

DeQuinton Osborne quickly moved to Stillwater from Kilgore. Osborne was one of the lesser heralded members of the signing class and had a huge impact at Oklahoma State. Osborne became a First Team All-Big 12 selection by the Coaches and Second Team All-Big 12 selection by the AP in 2017. He was also awarded the Bob Fenimore Award as OSU’s MVP.

           Games Played Tackles Tackles For Loss Sacks
                       24 56 17 9.5

Rajah Preciado‍ arrived at Baylor as an undersized athlete and moved to defensive back and kick returner in 2016. He played sparingly in 2017 and decided a change of scenery was in his best interest after moving to wide receiver in Spring of 2018. I haven’t found him on a roster since he announced his transfer.

Games Played Tackles Tackle For Loss Passes Defensed Forced Fumbles
           18 18 1 1 1

JP Urquidez‍ has played in two games and none of those were in 2018. He was beaten out by four true freshmen in 2017 and is listed as second string in 2019 at right guard.

                                                                                Games Played
                                                                                           2
Discussion from...

Baylor's 2016 Class: Where Are They Now?

10,363 Views | 9 Replies | Last: 5 yr ago by Brian Ethridge
historian
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Lots of great information. Two observations:

1) How can Zach Smith have more completions than attempts? It's a mathematical impossibility and I suspect the numbers should be switched.

2) It's sad how most of these players did not do well wherever they went. In fact, only two seem to have much of a success.
“Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!”
Psalm 119:36
Brian Ethridge
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1) Transposed and fixed now
historian
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Thanks!
“Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!”
Psalm 119:36
Baylor3216
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You couldn't sit down in 2016 afternoon the Baptistas blew up the Baylor football program and pen a more depressing outcome for a clearly cursed set of individuals

Wow

Grizz Air
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Dang. The sad thing is if our scandal never happened, most of these guys, especially the offensive players, would have become stars for Briles.
2022 Adopt-a-Bear: Mark Milton #3 CB
Grizz Air
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But it does kind of make me like Rhules recruiting philosophy of finding guys who peak later. Trendavian Dickson is a prime example of a guy who peaked really early.

And man, we really dodged a bullet with Cobb. I mean, I wouldve rather had only the Cobb thing happen than all the rapes but still I'm glad he decided to go elsewhere.
2022 Adopt-a-Bear: Mark Milton #3 CB
Brian Ethridge
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Grizz Air said:

Dang. The sad thing is if our scandal never happened, most of these guys, especially the offensive players, would have become stars for Briles.
Knowing your recruits versus going off paper rankings hurt many a program. Briles' offense thrived with the vertical routes. I don't believe Herman uses them much. When he did versus Baylor, Texada ran right by Duvernay to intercept the ball, so maybe his speed has declined in Austin. Hudson getting injured happens. Urquidez needed Clements as he was expected to be a bulldozer. He wouldn't have done well under DeLeone/Bell/Rhule due to his feet being cement blocks.
Mr Tulip
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Devin Duvernay is the last piece of the puzzle for a well developed offense. Meaning, even as fast as he is, his value as a deep threat requires time during a play to develop. When your offense has legitimate run threats (making play action fakes a factor) and route runners (keeping defenses from playing high safeties), then Devin forces a coverage problem by getting deep. One defender can't cover him since he runs in if you play boundary or out if you play center.

Texas, throughout his tenure thus far, could not provide the time needed to develop those routes. A constantly changing OL hampered their ability to develop a respectable run game. Without the ability to gain 1st downs via the ground game, defenses just sat on the 7 yard routes and reacted accordingly.

Last season, the emergence of Ehlinger as a credible run threat and Humphrey as a 1 on 1 receiving match problem helped get Duvernay factored into the games. This season, a viable TE option plus maturation in the QB position should help him expand that role.
Brian Ethridge
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Mr Tulip said:

Devin Duvernay is the last piece of the puzzle for a well developed offense. Meaning, even as fast as he is, his value as a deep threat requires time during a play to develop. When your offense has legitimate run threats (making play action fakes a factor) and route runners (keeping defenses from playing high safeties), then Devin forces a coverage problem by getting deep. One defender can't cover him since he runs in if you play boundary or out if you play center.

Texas, throughout his tenure thus far, could not provide the time needed to develop those routes. A constantly changing OL hampered their ability to develop a respectable run game. Without the ability to gain 1st downs via the ground game, defenses just sat on the 7 yard routes and reacted accordingly.

Last season, the emergence of Ehlinger as a credible run threat and Humphrey as a 1 on 1 receiving match problem helped get Duvernay factored into the games. This season, a viable TE option plus maturation in the QB position should help him expand that role.
His speed isn't what it once was.
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