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Baylor Football Offensive Line

Baylor Football Offensive Line

2 min read 25-11-2024
Baylor Football Offensive Line

Introduction

The Baylor University football team has a rich history of producing talented players, and one of the most crucial positions on the field is the offensive line. The big men up front are responsible for protecting the quarterback, opening holes for the running backs, and giving the offense a chance to succeed. In this article, we will take a closer look at the Baylor football offensive line, their strengths, weaknesses, and what to expect from them in the upcoming season.

The Starting Five

The Baylor Bears' offensive line is led by a group of experienced players who have been battle-tested in the Big 12 Conference. The starting five include:

  • Left Tackle: Connor Galvin (6'6", 310 lbs) - A senior from Kansas City, Missouri, Galvin is a three-year starter and a preseason All-Big 12 selection.
  • Left Guard: Xavier Newman (6'3", 310 lbs) - A junior from DeSoto, Texas, Newman started 12 games last season and is known for his physical play.
  • Center: Jake Fruhmorgen (6'5", 305 lbs) - A senior from Tampa, Florida, Fruhmorgen has started 24 consecutive games and is the leader of the offensive line.
  • Right Guard: Mose Jeffery (6'4", 320 lbs) - A junior from Houston, Texas, Jeffery started 11 games last season and is a dominant force in the trenches.
  • Right Tackle: Khalil Keith (6'5", 325 lbs) - A sophomore from Alpine, Texas, Keith started 10 games as a freshman and is expected to take a big leap forward in 2023.

Strengths

The Baylor offensive line has several strengths that will be crucial to the team's success this season:

  • Experience: With four senior starters, the Bears have a wealth of experience up front, which will help them navigate the challenges of the Big 12 schedule.
  • Size: The average weight of the starting five is over 310 pounds, making them one of the largest and most physical lines in the conference.
  • Depth: Baylor has a strong group of reserves, including junior college transfer Dylan Crawford, who will provide valuable depth and competition for the starting jobs.

Weaknesses

While the Baylor offensive line has many strengths, there are also some areas of concern:

  • Inconsistency: The Bears struggled with consistency last season, often failing to sustain drives and protect the quarterback.
  • Penalties: Baylor was plagued by penalties last season, including several holding calls and false starts that killed drives.
  • Pass Protection: The Bears allowed 31 sacks last season, which is an area that needs to improve to give quarterback Gerry Bohanon time to throw.

Outlook

The Baylor football offensive line is poised to be a strength of the team in 2023. With a strong group of starters and a deep bench, the Bears have the talent and experience to dominate in the Big 12. However, they must overcome their inconsistency and penalty issues to reach their full potential. If they can do so, the Baylor offense will be a force to be reckoned with in the conference.