Five Baylor Players Selected To Preseason All-Big 12 Roster
Coming off its first 12-win season in program history, Baylor is looking to be the next big name in the Big 12. Entering 2022, the Bears will be well represented in terms of preseason hype.
Five Baylor players were selected to the Preseason All-Big 12 roster Wednesday. The Bears finished second behind Kansas State with the most representatives among all Big 12 teams. The Wildcats, a fan favorite to be a sleeper in the division, total six representatives, including Defensive Player of the Year Felix Anudike-Uzomah.
Offensive tackle Connor Galvin and center Jacob Gall were honored for their success in 2021. Galvin was named Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year after allowing just four pressures and one sack last season at left tackle. Gall, a graduate transfer from Buffalo, earned second-team All-American honors by the Football Writers Association of America after allowing two sacks in 14 starts.
As a unit, Baylor's offensive line drastically improved thanks to the addition of offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes. Last season, the Bears finished third among FBS programs in rushing offense and ranked inside the top 10 nationally in sacks allowed with a mere 18.
Tight end Ben Sims replaced Iowa State's Charlie Kolar as the conference's top option entering 2022. A native of San Antonio, Sims posted career numbers with 31 catches for 361 yards and six touchdowns. He's also become Baylor’s all-time leader in touchdowns by a tight end with nine scores.
Defensively, Dillon Doyle looks to become the next big name at linebacker following the departure of Terrel Bernard. A transfer from Iowa, the redshirt senior finished second on the team with 91 tackles while also recording 8.5 tackles for loss. For his efforts, he was named an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention.
Defensive tackle Siaki Ika is hoping to build off his Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year honors from 2021. After leaving LSU to reunite with Dave Aranda last offseason, Ika shined in the trenches for the Bears. He recorded 25 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in 12 starts.
The only two unanimous selections were Texas running back Bijan Robinson and Kansas State running back Deuce Vaughn. Robinson, a Heisman favorite at the position, also earned Offensive Player of the Year honors after scoring 15 touchdowns in 2021.
Former Central Florida and current Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel was named the conference's Newcomer of the Year. In three seasons with the Golden Knights, Gabriel threw for 8,037 and 70 touchdowns against 14 interceptions. He elected to transfer after suffering a season-ending clavicle injury in Week 3 against Louisville.
Of the 10 programs currently in the conference, nine featured at least one selection to the roster. Texas Tech, which is under the direction of new coach and recruiting wiz Joey McGuire, did not have a player selected.
Big 12 Media Days will begin July 13 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington
Want the latest in breaking and insider news for the Baylor Bears? Click Here
Follow Inside the Bears on Twitter
Follow Inside the Bears on Facebook
