SicEm365 All-Decade Team: Football (Defense)

SicEm365 All-Decade Team: Offense

Head coaches Art Briles and Matt Rhule receive the majority of the credit for the golden years of Baylor football.

And rightfully so.

Still, anyone who has followed the program closely throughout the past decade knows that two other men are largely responsible for the Bears’ success: Phil Bennett and Phil Snow.

Baylor’s past two defensive coordinators—Bennett under Briles; Snow under Rhule—have produced some salty units that helped propel the Bears to Big 12 titles, BCS bowl games and and Sugar Bowl berths.

Having some good players helped, too.

With that … here are SicEm365’s picks for the meanest, fiercest, stingiest alpha dogs to wear a Bears uniform the past 10 years: Baylor’s All-Decade team for defense.

FIRST TEAM

Defensive Line

James Lynch‍ - 6-4 295; 2017-2019; Round Rock
Career: One of the first players Matt Rhule landed as Baylor’s head coach also turned out to be one of the best. Lynch was thrust into action as a true freshman 2017 before becoming a starter the following two seasons. Lynch made his biggest impact last fall, when he earned All-American and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors while leading the Bears to the Sugar Bowl. Lynch left school a year early to enter the 2020 NFL Draft, where he was selected in the fourth round by the Minnesota Vikings.

Notables: Lynch is Baylor’s all-time leader for sacks in a career (22) and a single season (13.5 in 2019). He had 33 tackles for loss during his career, including 19.5 last fall. He also blocked three kicks, forced three fumbles and recovered three fumbles during his career. Lynch earned first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2018 and 2019. He was committed to TCU and USC before signing with Baylor.

Andrew Billings‍ - 6-1 315; 2013-2015; Waco
Career: An accomplishd powerlifter, Billings became an instant starter the moment he arrived on campus in 2013. His sheer strength enabled him to fight off double teams throughout his career, and his speed was almost unheard of for a player of his size. Billings—who ran the 40-yard dash in 4.9 seconds—provided plenty of highlight-reel moments by chasing down opposing ball carriers from behind. Billings entered the NFL Draft after his junior season and was selected in the fourth round by Cincinnati. He played four years with the Bengals before signing last month with the Cleveland Browns.

Notables: A Waco High product, Billings needed a separate trophy case just to house the hardware he earned in 2015 His postseason awards that year included: first-team All-American, Big 12 Defensvie Lineman of the Year and Big 12 co-Defensive Player of the Year. Billings was also a first-team All-Big 12 pick as a sophomore and junior. In 36 career games, Billings tallied 106 tackles, 30 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and 15 quarterback hurries.

Shawn Oakman - 6-8 270; 2013-2015; Philadelphia/Penn State
Career: When it comes to the most physically-imposing players in Baylor history, only 1990s standout Daryl Gardener can rival Oakman. The green-haired behemoth with washboard abs and chiseled arms became a meme sensation off the field—and a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks on it. Oakman racked up 11 sacks in 2014, a Baylor career record at the time. But instead of capitalizing on the momentum from that season and entering the NFL Draft, Oakman returned for his senior year and watched his stock fall dramatically—first because of a 4.5-sack season, and then because of legal issues (he was charged with rape but found “not guilty” in court) that wiped him off of draft boards completely. Oakman was excelling in the XFL this spring before it folded.

Notables: Oakman ranks fifth in Big 12 history with 47 career tackles for loss. His 17.5 sacks were the most in Baylor history until James Lynch tallied 22 from 2017-19. Oakman also forced eight fumbles over three seasons. He was named first-team All-Big 12 as a junior in 2014 before earning second-team honors the following season.

K.J. Smith - 6-2 255; 2013-2017; Frisco Centennial
Career: After recording seven sacks as a junior in 2016, Smith entered his final season with 12.0 career sacks and was closing in on Shawn Oakman’s then-Baylor record of 17.5. A 12-game season would’ve given him ample opportunity to surpass that total, but shin splints sidelined him for all but the first game in 2017, and Smith never saw the field again for the Bears. Smith went undrafted in 2018 and signed with the Arizona Cardinals as a free agent, but he did not make the team.

Notables: Although it ended on a sour note, Smith had an incredible career with the Bears. He was a part-time starter as a freshman on the 2014 Big 12 championship squad and had a season-high five tackles against Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl. The next year he helped Baylor reach the Russell Athletic Bowl, and he earned first-team All-Big 12 honors for his seven-sack season in 2016. Smith played for three different head coaches in Waco.

Linebackers

Bryce Hager - 6-1 235; 2010-2014; Austin Westlake
Career: Hager—whose father, Britt, was an All-American linebacker at Texas—grew up as a Longhorns fan. But Mack Brown never offered him a scholarship, so he signed with Baylor and became one of the most-successful players to ever wear the green and gold. The Bears appeared in bowl games in each of Hager’s five years with the program, and he played a huge part in the squad winning the Big 12 title in 2013 and 2014. Baylor went 40-1 at home during Hager’s career in Waco. Hager, a seventh-round draft pick, just completed his fifth season with the Los Angles Rams. 

Notables: Hager is a member of the winningest class in school history. The middle linebacker finished with 322 career tackles—placing him just outside the school’s all-time top 10—and was voted second-team All-Big 12 three years in a row. Hager was also named honorable mention All-American following his senior year in 2014.

Eddie Lackey; 2012-2013; Vista Murrieta, CA/Riverside CC
Career: Junior college transfers can be hit-and-miss, but the Bears hit the lottery when they signed Lackey, who led Baylor to back-to-back bowl games during his two seasons in Waco—not to mention the school’s first Big 12 title in 2013. Lackey had 13 tackles in a win against Texas that season that clinched Baylor’s first BCS bowl berth. Then he notched 11 stops in a loss to Central Florida in the Fiesta Bowl. A shoulder injury sustained in that contest all but ended his dreams of playing in the NFL. Lackey led Baylor in interceptions and tackles for loss during each of his two seasons in Waco.

Notables: Lackey earned second-team All-Big 12 honors as a junior before becoming a unanimous first-team selection the following year. Lackey led the Bears in tackles (108), tackles for loss (13) and interceptions (three) as a senior. The Bears finished 11-2 that season thanks, in large part, to Lackey.

Taylor Young‍ - 5-9 215; 2013-2017; Desoto
Career: More than a few opposing coaches probably did a double-take when the 5-foot-9 Young signed with Baylor in 2013. But then-defensive coordinator Phil Bennett knew a winner when he saw one, and scoffed at the idea that a player couldn’t succeed in the Big 12 if he wasn’t tall. Young rewarded Bennett for his confidence by finishing his career ranked third on the school’s all-time list for tackles for loss (39), third in sacks (15.5) and eighth in total tackles (325). He is currently a graduate assistant at Baylor.

Notables: Even though he was only a freshman and sophomore, Young was a defensive catalyst for Art Briles’ final two Baylor squads in 2014 and 2015. He was named Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year after helping the Bears win the Big 12 title as a freshman. And he earned Defensive MVP honors at the Cotton Bowl that year thanks to his 15 tackles and first career interception. The next year he earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention.

Nickelback

Blake Lynch‍ - 6-3 225; 2015-2019, Gilmer 
Career: One of the most versatile players in recent school memory, Lynch did just about everything during his time at Baylor. He began his career at receiver before injuries forced him to move to running back in 2016, cornerback in 2017 and safety in 2018. It was during the middle of that season when Lynch moved to the SAM (nickel) position, which was perhaps his most natural fit. Lynch was highly productive and well-rounded in his only full season at the position as a senior, finishing third on the team in sacks (4.5), third in tackles for loss (9.5), third in interceptions (two) and fourth in tackles (68).

Notables: Lynch earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors in 2019. After going undrafted he signed a free agent contract with the Minnesota Vikings. Lynch finished his Baylor career with 134 tackles, 13.5 TFL, 6.0 sacks, 3 INT, 12 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, and 2 fumble recoveries.

Defensive Backs

Xavien Howard - 6-2 200; 2012-2015; Houston Wheatley
Career: An unheralded, unranked two-star recruit coming out of high school, Howard blossomed into one of the top cornerbacks in Baylor history during his time in Waco. Howard played sparingly as a redshirt freshma in 2013 before making four interceptions and breaking up a team-high 13 passes for Baylor’s Big 12 championship squad as a sophomore. Howard ranked fifth in the nation in interceptions (five) as a junior. He left after the season to enter the NFL Draft. Howard was part of the most successful four-year run in Baylor history.

Notables: The Miami Dolphins selected Howard in the second round (38th overall pick) of the 2016 NFL Draft. He picked off 11 passes in his first three seasons, including seven during a Pro Bowl campaign in 2018. Following the season, Howard was awarded a five-year, $76.5 million contract that made him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL. Not bad for a guy that one prominent recruiting service listed as the 357th-best player in Texas coming out of high school.

Ahmad Dixon‍ - 6-1 210; 2010-2013; Midway
Career: The hometown standout played a huge role in turning around Baylor’s program. As a true freshman in 2010, Dixon was a key contributor to a squad that produced the Bears’ first winning season (7-6) since 1995. With the brash, hard-hitting Dixon setting the tone defensively, the Bears played with a swagger that hadn’t been seen in Waco, well … maybe ever. Dixon earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors the next two seasons before propelling Baylor to its first-ever Big 12 title as a senior in 2013. He earned first-team all-league and second-team All-American honors for his performance. Dixon was controversial times. He was ejected from a game against TCU in 2013 for targeting—one of many personal foul penalty he incurred during his career. Baylor’s program, though, had long been in need of an emotional leader that players rallied around, and Dixon provided that. 

Notables: The nation’s No. 15-ranked prospect coming out of high school, Dixon turned down schools such as Texas and Tennessee to sign with the Bears. It was a huge “get” for Art Briles as he attempted to turn around the program. Dixon was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round of the 2013 NFL Draft, but he was released Sept. 2 of that year for being late to multiple team meetings. He had stints with three other NFL teams but played most on the practice squad.

Orion Stewart‍ - 6-2 205; 2012-2016; Midway
Career: Much like Xavien Howard, Stewart was overlooked by virtually every Division I program in Texas. Some would even say he entered college with more of a reputation as a basketball standout. Stewart, though, left his mark on the gridiron in a big way. He ranks seventh in Baylor history for career interceptions (12). Following his redshirt season in 2012, Stewart played in 49 games for the Bears and startd 36 of them. He earned first-team All-Big 12 honors by the Associated Press as a sophomore and and senior and left Baylor with two Big 12 title rings.

Notables: Stewart went undrated in 2016 but ended up spending time on NFL practice squads in Denver, Washington and Buffalo. He went to training camp with the New York Giants in 2018 but failed to make the team. As a member of the AAF’s San Antonio franchise, Stewart notched the first interception in league history and was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in April of 2019. But he tore his ACL in training camp and missed the 2020 season.

Demetri Goodson‍‍ - 6-1 200; 2011-2013; Klein Collins
Career: Goodson was one of the more unique signees under Briles because he transferred to Baylor afeter spending three years on the basketball squad at Gonzaga, where he averaged 5.1 points. Once he put on the pads, Goodson hardly resembled a guy that had spent three years away from the gridiron. Injuries ended his 2011 and 2012 seasons after just four games. But Goodson blossomed after being granted a medical hardship waiver that alowed him to play in 2013. Goodson started 10 games that season and led the Big 12 in pass breakups (1.5 pg) for a squad that won the Big 12 title.

Notables: Goodson earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors as a senior and was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Goodson made 30 tackles over three seasons in Green Bay. He missed the 2017 season with a knee injury and was released in September of 2018. Goodson’s brother, Michael, played running back at Texas A&M and in the NFL.

Special Teams

Punter

Spencer Roth - 6-4, 225; 2011-14; Nashville
Career: Ross was a key figure in one of the greatest eras in Baylor football history—and he’s got two Big 12 title rings to show for it. Roth’s career average of 43.7 yards per punt ranks second to only Daniel Sepulveda (45.2) on Baylor’s all-time chart.

Notables: Ross twice earned first-team All-Big 12 honors and was an honorable mention All-American as a junior in 2013. Roth signed a free agent contract with the Buffalo Bills after college but was later released.

Deep Snapper
Jimmy Landes - 6-2 250; 2012-2016; Tyler Lee
Career: The best deep snapper is the one you never know. Landes excelled silenty before being drafted by the Detroit Lions in the NFL Draft. 

Notables: Landes went his entire career without a bad snap. Or at least not one that would’ve been noticed by an untrained eye.

SECOND TEAM
Defensive Line

Bravvion Roy‍ - 6-1 330; 2016-2019; Spring
Notables: 1st Team All Big 12 2019, 133 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 2 blocked kicks

Phil Taylor - 6-4 340; 2008-2010; Penn State/Gwynn Park HS
Notables: All-Big 12 2010, 87 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 2 passes defensed, 1 interception, and 1 forced fumble

Jamal Palmer‍ - 6-3 250; 2012-2015; McKinney Boyd
Notables: 1st Team All-Big 12 2015, Honorable Mention All Big 12 2013, 111 tackles, 26.5 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, 8 forced fumbles, 2 passes defensed, and 2 fumble recoveries

Chris McAllister - 6-2 255; 2009-2013; Converse Judson
Notables: 1st Team All-Big 12 2013, Defensive MVP of Holiday Bowl, 137 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, 6 passes defensed, 1 interception for a touchdown, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery

Linebacker

Sam Holl‍ - 6-2 210; 2010-2013; Katy
Notables: Honorable Mention All-Big 12 2011, 266 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 7 interceptions, 7 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery

Clay Johnston‍ - 6-1 225; 2015-2019; Abilene Wylie‍  
Notables: 2^nd Team All-Big 12 2019, 2^nd Team All-Big 12 2018, 237 tackles, 26.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 2 interceptions, 7 passes defensed, and 1 forced fumble

Terrel Bernard - 6-1, 222, 2017-present; LaPorte
Notables: Posted a team-high 112 tackles for a 2019 squad that went 11-3 behind one of the best defenses in school history. Also had 4.5 sacks while earning second-team All-Big 12 honors. Expected to be among the top linebackers in the country in 2020.

Nickelback

Travon Blanchard‍ - 6-2 205; 2013-2016; West Orange-Stark 
Notables: 2^nd Team All-Big 12 2015, Honorable Mention All Big 12 2014, 185 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 4 interceptions, 11 passes defensed, 4 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries

Defensive Back

Ryan Reid - 5-9 180; 2012-2016; Sherman
Notables: 2nd Team All-Big 12 2016, 89 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 6 interceptions, 28 passes defensed, 3 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 touchdown from interception return

Chris Miller‍ - 6-0 190; 2016-2019; Frisco Lone Star
Notables: 2^nd Team All-Big 12 2019, Honorable Meition All-Big 12 2018, 177 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 4 passes defensed, 3 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries

Mike Hicks - 5-11 200, 2009-2012; China Spring
Notables: Honorable Mention All-Big 12 in 2011; 229 career tackles; 3.5 tackles for loss, six interceptions, two passes defended and one fumble recovery for a touchdown

Grayland Arnold‍ - 5-10 190; 2016-2019; Kountze
Notables: 2nd Team All-American 2019, 2nd Team All-big 12 2019, 107 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 7 interceptions, 20 passes defensed, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 interception returned for a touchdown

Special Teams

Punter

Drew Galitz - 5-11 195; 2015-2018; Rowlett
Notables: Galitz earned first-team All-Big 12 honors as a senior. He punted 166 times for a 42.1-yard average during his four-year career. Galitz was most recently a member of the XFL’s Dallas Renegades.

Deep Snapper

Ross Matiscik - 6-0 225; 2015-19; McKinney Boyd
Career: Dependable snapper played in 51 games. Also saw action as a backup linebacker.