Baylor Football: 3 Second-Year Players Poised for Stardom in 2023
A year after winning the Big 12 championship, Dave Aranda's third season as Baylor's head football coach didn't quite measure up to expectations as the Bears finished just 6-7. He'll need to see some second-year players from his 2022 class stand up and shine if he wants to hope for a turnaround in 2023.
Here are the three Bears in their second year who, in my opinion, will be stars in 2023.
#3. George Maile, Offensive Lineman
After his senior year, Grant Miller will move on, which may allow someone like George Maile to earn a spot in the starting lineup.
As a four-star recruit, Maile was rated No. 391 overall and the 16th-best interior offensive lineman in the nation by the 247Sports composite. He was the third-best prospect in Baylor's 2022 class. Maile has a good chance of being a top offensive tackle for the Bears in 2023 as he enters his second season.
The 6-foot-4, 290-pound product of Utah fills a need for the Bears in the upcoming season after Miller's departure.
#2. Kelsey Johnson, Tight End
Jacob Roberts, a tight end transfer from North Texas, was added by Baylor during the offseason, but the Bears are also losing Ben Sims and Drake Dabney is recovering from an injury, so it's unclear whether he'll be available when the season begins. Johnson, a true freshman who was third on the depth chart last year, may move up this spring with Dabney on the mend and Roberts picking up the offense.
At 6-foot-2 and roughly 220 pounds, Johnson isn't the biggest tight end, but his athletic potential is fascinating. He participated in relays as a high school track standout, which gives him a lot of speed and the ability to cause mismatches for the defense. According to the composite, the former three-star recruit from Texas was the 545th best overall candidate and the 29th best tight end in the 2022 class.
#1. Armani Winfield, Wide Receiver
Winfield's first season with Baylor was extremely underwhelming because the Bears only used him in three contests, and he was allowed to keep his redshirt. He only managed one reception for a total of 10 yards.
Considering that Baylor had no clear No. 1 receiver emerge last year, he ought to get a lot more playing time in 2023. Winfield has the physical aptitude to develop into a genuine WR1 threat next season, but with the most of the top receivers returning, he will have to work his way up the depth chart.
Winfield is more than capable and gifted, but getting a starting job won't be simple for him. If given the chance, I believe this player might improve Baylor's offense and has major star potential.
