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Baylor Football Recruiting
Newman didn't plan on giving his pledge to Baylor when he did
When former Cedar Hill (TX) High School head coach Joey McGuire was hired to the Baylor coaching staff in December, DeSoto (TX) High School offensive lineman Xavier Newman was committed to play football at Colorado.
The Under Armor All-American had taken a visit Baylor’s campus in the past, an offer was never extended and it’s safe to say that Baylor was not even on the talented prospect’s radar for his final high school season.
But then, McGuire, who had spent the past fourteen years coaching at neighboring school and rival Cedar Hill, came calling.
“Baylor really got my attention when Coach McGuire first started reaching out to me,” Newman told SicEm365 when discussing his commitment to the Bears.
While a familiarity with Coach McGuire got Baylor in the door with Newman, it took a group effort to convince the offensive lineman that Baylor is the place to continue his football career.
“A lot played into me committing,” the future education major explained. “I loved my visit. The campus is beautiful and the people are great. My favorite part was when we learned about the graduation rate, and when we were in the stadium.”
Ultimately, Newman, who was also a verbal pledge to Texas at one time, believes that learning the game under Matt Rhule and offensive line coach George DeLeone will set him up for long-term success in football.
“Coach Rhule and the staff are real, and they know what they are talking about," Newman said. They know the offensive line, and they are going to get me ready for the league.”
And it sounds like his new coaches will have plenty of talent with which to work. According to Newman, the staff has praised his pass protection ability and the way he finishes through the whistle. As for areas to focus on improvement? Xavier’s initial focus will be “getting my first step better off the ball.”
Like the three other prospects who pledged their commitments to Baylor on Sunday, Xavier says he will not take any additional visits and that his recruitment is over at this point.
“I decommitted from Colorado because I want to be closer to home,” said Xavier.
Now he will be.
The Under Armor All-American had taken a visit Baylor’s campus in the past, an offer was never extended and it’s safe to say that Baylor was not even on the talented prospect’s radar for his final high school season.
But then, McGuire, who had spent the past fourteen years coaching at neighboring school and rival Cedar Hill, came calling.
“Baylor really got my attention when Coach McGuire first started reaching out to me,” Newman told SicEm365 when discussing his commitment to the Bears.
While a familiarity with Coach McGuire got Baylor in the door with Newman, it took a group effort to convince the offensive lineman that Baylor is the place to continue his football career.
Coach Rhule and the staff are real, and they know what they are talking about. They know the offensive line, and they are going to get me ready for the league.
Going into the weekend, Newman did not anticipate that he would be shutting down his recruitment process with two and a half weeks remaining before National Signing Day. As with the three other prospects who announced commitments on Sunday, though, Newman was swayed by a recruiting pitch that seemed perfectly tailored to his own interests“A lot played into me committing,” the future education major explained. “I loved my visit. The campus is beautiful and the people are great. My favorite part was when we learned about the graduation rate, and when we were in the stadium.”
Ultimately, Newman, who was also a verbal pledge to Texas at one time, believes that learning the game under Matt Rhule and offensive line coach George DeLeone will set him up for long-term success in football.
“Coach Rhule and the staff are real, and they know what they are talking about," Newman said. They know the offensive line, and they are going to get me ready for the league.”
And it sounds like his new coaches will have plenty of talent with which to work. According to Newman, the staff has praised his pass protection ability and the way he finishes through the whistle. As for areas to focus on improvement? Xavier’s initial focus will be “getting my first step better off the ball.”
Like the three other prospects who pledged their commitments to Baylor on Sunday, Xavier says he will not take any additional visits and that his recruitment is over at this point.
“I decommitted from Colorado because I want to be closer to home,” said Xavier.
Now he will be.
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