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Tuesday DBR: Best Defense Ever?

Depth chart shifts, redshirt speculation, and the possibility of the freakiest Baylor defense of all time in today's Daily Bears Report.

By ConnerSaurusRex
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Football News

2014 Depth Chart Released

Yesterday marked the release of the official Baylor depth chart ahead of the SMU game this Sunday. There were a few surprises and a few items of note.

  1. Ryan Reid has apparently beaten out Terrence Singleton for a starting cornerback position across from Xavien Howard. Singleton, a redshirt sophomore, is listed as the primary backup for both Reid and Howard as Tion Wright and Chris Sanders get healthy and master the defense.
  2. KD Cannon is listed as the no. 3 inside receiver after Corey Coleman and Clay Fuller. With Fuller out and Coleman possibly sitting due to a hamstring tweak, Cannon will likely get plenty of playing time behind Levi Norwood and Lynx Hawthorne.
  3. Davion Hall is listed as the primary backup for WR Jay Lee. If Lee is hindered by his own hamstring issues on Sunday, Hall could get his first taste of college football across from Antwan Goodley.
  4. Briles is extremely pleased with all of his freshman receivers, and there is little doubt that all four could play if needed, but most agree that Ishmael Zamora and Chris Platt will redshirt.
  5. Chance Waz is a primary backup at safety, one of three true freshmen to appear on the two-deep. It's likely that the rest of the 2014 class will redshirt.
  6. The battle for left guard rages on, with LaQuan McGowan and Blake Muir listed as co-starters.

Redshirt Speculation

The depth chart pretty much confirms that Davion Hall, KD Cannon, and Chance Waz will see the field this year. It's reasonable to assume that the rest of the class will redshirt, but that doesn't mean they're happy about it. Ishmael Zamora openly expressed his displeasure on Twitter yesterday, but has since deleted the tweets in question. If any freshman burns his redshirt this year, my money would be on Zamora.

Verkedric Vaughns has also been mentioned at time during camp. If depth at corner becomes an issue, he could make an appearance.

Best Baylor Defense Ever?

Misc. Links and Tweets

Baylor football tries to block out noise before 1st game - WacoTrib.com: Baylor Bears Football
Baylor’s opening game at McLane Stadium will be filled with much pomp and circumstance, including the unveiling of the Robert Griffin III statue and a visit by former President George W. Bush.

Baylor football: Bears' WR Antwan Goodley's road to stardom filled with twists and turns - MRT.com: Sports
Antwan Goodley does not remember the opponent or even the season when the switch began to flip, but he vividly recalls the moment.

Heisman Watch 2014: Ranking college football's top preseason candidates | NJ.com

Meet the Press: Football Weekly Presser vs. SMU - Baylor Bears Official Athletic Site - BaylorBears.com
Art Briles and players met with the media Monday afternoon to talk about Sunday's game vs. SMU

Coaches Call For Gold-Out

Are You Afraid of Oklahoma?

I'm not. Nothing on this depth chart scares me. If Troy Baker can hold his own against Charles Tapper and Eric Striker doesn't generate an otherworldly pass rush, I don't see any matchup advantage for the Oklahoma defense. Last year Tapper had four tackles against Baylor and Striker was marginalized in the same way Kahlil Mack was marginalized.

With Green-Beckham, Shannon, and Mixon this is a very, very good team. Without them, I see them as above average.

Happy/Sad Thing of the Day

Josh Shaw jumped off a balcony to save his nephew, who had fallen into a pool but didn't know how to swim. Shaw, a captain and starting cornerback for USC, will miss playing time from the injuries he sustained. He claims he would have done the same thing for any kid. I'm not sure whether this is a heartwarming story or a heartbreaking story. A bit of both, I suppose. Good on you, Mr. Shaw.

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