Dave's Details: Baylor Focused On Small Issues Early For Major Success Late
Attention to detail has always been a focal point in Dave Aranda’s coaching. That's been the case even before he arrived at Baylor in 2020. How else would the 2019 LSU defense become one of the greatest units in recent memory?
Better yet, how about the 2021 Bears? A 2-7 record leads to a 12-2 finish a season later? It’s all in the details, right?
Before Baylor preps to take on Albany in the season opener Sept. 3, it needs to fine-tune each play, rep, and audible to make sure the year is kicked off with ease. Players are getting ready to head back to classes, but the attention at practice has far from wavered.
“There are plenty of times, I’m working my way up to the team meeting in the morning, and kind of anticipating kids being asleep, or dreadfulness or any of that,” Aranda said. “But we’ve been way focused and positive. And then it gets better when we hit the field, and the effort that’s shown on the field and the competitiveness of when we’re striving and pushing each other to be better.”
The hope is that Baylor can be a two-sided dreadful matchup for teams on its way back to Arlington. To begin the year, the focus will be on the offensive side of the ball led by third-year quarterback Blake Shapen.
The Bears are replacing five defensive starters, including All-American defensive back Jalen Pitre and All-Big 12 linebacker Terrel Bernard. Offensively, Baylor’s arsenal is limited following the departures of receivers Tyquan Thornton, R.J. Sneed and Drew Estrada, along with running backs Travis Ebner and Abram Smith.
What’s the reason for hope? Baylor’s offensive line is returning four of its five starters from last season, including center Jacob Gall and offensive tackle Connor Glavin. And Shapen has meaningful reps under his belt, so this isn’t his first time in the saddle as QB1.
“He’s come a long way since the beginning of summer, he’s become more vocal, he’s become more influential,” tight end Ben Sims said of Shapen. “He’s been texting me, asking me to do all these things with him now. He’s been stepping out of his shell and wants to become the best leader he can be.”
Sixth-year receiver Gavin Holmes is projected to be the top target against the Great Danes due to his experience with offensive coordinator Jeff Grime's personnel looks. He won’t be the only pass-catcher looking for reps in the season. Auburn transfer Hal Presley comes with the SEC background and 6-3 frame to win on the perimeter as Sneed’s replacement.
Others, such as sophomore Monaray Baldwin, redshirt freshmen Josh Cameron and Javon Gipson, continue to make strides in practice as well. Aranda said he's been pleased with the level of competition each player brings to the position in practice.
Sims, a member of the preseason All-Big 12 roster, should be a security blanket for short-yardage concepts. Last season, the 6-5, 258-pound San Antonio native recorded 31 catches for 361 yards and six touchdowns — four of which came from inside the red zone.
As for the run game, junior Taye McWilliams is expected to expand his rep count this fall as the new lead runner. Last season as part of a three-headed backfield, McWilliams was featured as the change-of-pace running, averaging 10.6 yards per attempt.
Currently, McWilliams might be the Bears’ best chance of setting the tone early on the ground due to injury. Craig “Sqwirl” Williams, a fifth-year senior, has been hampered with lingering knee injuries throughout his career and missed most of preseason camp.
It’s a problem Aranda isn’t fretting over for now. His overall rep count might come on a smaller size against Albany, but he is expected to be active.
“There was an MRI that took about 24 hours to get the reading of that, and it was a very long 24 hours,” Aranda said. “There was some confidence in that it wasn’t a tear or wasn’t anything bad, but then his history, he’s kind of banging on the door. So it turned out good, and we’re excited to have him back.”
Part of the reason for Baylor’s success in 2021 came from its leadership council. Players like Pitre, Bernard, Sims, Glavin, Thornton and safety J.T. Woods wanted to set the tone of the underclassmen to follow. It started in practice and translated over to a Big 12 title.
Aranda hasn’t noticed a dip in terms of leadership. Instead of Pitre and Bernard leading the charge, it’s Shapen, linebacker Dillon Doyle and Gall at the forefront. Freshmen have caught on quick of what’s expected from them at Baylor in Year 1.
Said Aranda, “There’s just so many teams that are taken down by either what just happened or what’s ahead. I thought our team handled that [situation in practice] today really good. The vets had a really big part in that.”
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