Sources say one Baylor player is winning the race to be the alpha in '19
Losing a player like Jalen Hurd will make an impact outside of simply losing solid production on the field. It means losing an elite and tireless worker and a leader by example.
For Baylor fans, it was easy to see and understand the mentality Hurd brought to the field when the lights were on, but he was also spark plug in multiple ways when the curtains that led to the practice field and weight room were closed. And those moments were just as important to the success of the team.
Hurd was the ultimate alpha that provided a confidence to his teammates no matter the situation. He didn’t mind jawing with his opponents even when it meant putting his toe to the line and pushing. The penalties weren’t enjoyable, but the swagger was.
How can Baylor replace that? It will take one player to emerge.
I spoke with a number of contacts close to the Baylor football program regarding this exact subject. Several names that have been discussed on SicEm365 for their performance during the fall were mentioned as would be expected.
For those curious, below are some of the names I was given in response to the question, “Who is the alpha?”
► Grayland Arnold
► Sam Tecklenburg
► Charlie Brewer
► JaMycal Hasty
► Chris Miller
► Bravvion Roy
► Clay Johnston
► RJ Sneed
► Qualan Jones
But there was one name that was sent to me the most in response to my question. The player caught me off guard in away, but then again it didn’t. This a player I have continually been told came back for his senior seasons to improve himself and reset his focus.
The player is Denzel MIms, who just so happened to be awarded a single digit — the same single digit worn by Jalen Hurd in 2018, mind you — as I was working on this update.
“He’s running down on scout team punt coverage,” one source said. “Blocking the DBs off the field on offense. He has really asserted himself.”
At Big 12 Media Days Mims made the comment that he was working to keep his teammates accountable and was leading receiver only workout sessions during the spring and summer. That sounded great at the time, but how were we really supposed to know that to be true?
The proof is now in the pudding. Maybe the single digits don’t mean as much to some as to others, but when fall camp is four days from being complete and his name is given to me as the alpha of the team... there is no reason to take this information with a grain of salt.
We will see how it translates to the field on Saturdays this fall, but if preparation is truly the No. 1 indicator of success, Denzel Mims is set for a breakout season.