Baylor’s 2027 class kept stacking up production across Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Alabama last week, with several commits making their presence felt on both sides of the ball.
The biggest passing line came from quarterback Luke Babin, who was sharp in Barbers Hill’s 45-10 win over Crosby. Babin completed 13 of 18 throws for 172 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Wideout Josiah Morgan also got his season going for Ruston, catching two passes for 73 yards in a 42-16 win over Neville.
On the defensive side, Trenton McCorvey turned in a strong night for Alabaster as his team rolled past Vestavia Hills 49-0. McCorvey posted four tackles and one tackle for loss, and his season totals now sit at 23 tackles, five for loss, one sack and seven QB hurries. Fellow Alabaster standout Micah Fleming added three tackles in the shutout and has 14 tackles, one for loss, one interception and one pass breakup on the year.
Elsewhere, Karece Hoyt helped Lone Star stay unbeaten in a 48-24 win over Simon Gratz. Hoyt handled 10 carries for 84 yards and also added four tackles. In Waco, Davontrae Kirkland and University beat China Spring 29-23.
A few Baylor pledges were asked to carry heavier loads in losses. Devin Watkins filled up the stat sheet for Poteet despite a 51-21 loss to West Mesquite, finishing with seven tackles, three for loss, four QB hurries and one pass broken up.
Bryson Brown was everywhere for Stillwater in a 56-28 loss to Bixby, piling up 16 tackles, two for loss and one sack. Cadriann Olds caught one pass for 38 yards in Booker T.
Washington’s 39-18 loss to Carl Albert.
A pair of offensive linemen also got clean starts to the season. Hudson Whitenight and Dripping Springs blasted Harlan 42-7, while Noah Johnson and Smithson Valley opened with a 47-14 win over Sotomayor.
Chase Allen and Bridgeland were part of The Woodlands’ 35-7 win over Katy Tompkins, keeping that group undefeated as well.
Looking ahead, McCorvey and Fleming’s Thompson squad travels to Spain Park on Friday at 7:00pm. Hoyt’s Lone Star team visits Cedar Hill at 7:00pm, while Babin and Barbers Hill head to Dayton at 7:00pm.
Morgan and Ruston host Longview at 7:00pm, Kirkland and Waco University travel to Stony Point at 7:00pm, and Watkins’ Poteet team goes to Seagoville at 7:30pm. Brown and Stillwater take on Lawton at 7:00pm, Olds and Booker T.
Washington visit Putnam City at 7:00pm, Johnson’s Smithson Valley squad hosts Austin McCallum at 7:00pm, Whitenight and Dripping Springs play at Round Rock at 7:00pm, and Allen’s group faces its next test as well.
In Other News...
Baylors QB Situation Just Changed How Auburns Week 1 Win Feels
DJ Lagways injury is already casting a shadow over Baylors week, and it changes the way that Auburn result looks in hindsight. The quarterback suffered a high-ankle sprain in the game against the Tigers, and while Dave Aranda first framed him as day-to-day, the latest read is more concerning as Baylor turns toward Prairie View A&M.
If Lagway cannot go, Nate Bennett is the expected starter, and that would likely push Baylor toward a heavier dose of the run game. It is an early-season wrinkle the Bears did not need, and it leaves their quarterback picture heading into the next game looking a lot less settled than it did before kickoff against Auburn. [Read more 🡒]
Baylor Home Opener Feels Bigger Than It Should After Auburn Frustration
The mood around Baylors home opener is a little different than it might have been in an ordinary nonconference week. After a frustrating, close loss to Auburn, the Bears get a chance to reset in front of their own crowd against Prairie View A&M, a program that arrives with real credentials as a SWAC champion and enough quality to keep Baylor from treating this like a pure tune-up. There is still plenty of attention on how the Bears respond, especially with staff predictions pointing toward a much cleaner offensive day if things break the right way.
A big piece of that uncertainty sits with DJ Lagway, whose ankle issue leaves his availability in question and his workload potentially limited even if he goes. That makes this feel less like a straightforward bounce-back spot and more like an early-season test of depth, rhythm and patience for a Baylor team trying to turn the Auburn disappointment into something more productive at home. Prairie View A&M has the kind of coaching and talent base that can make a game interesting longer than expected, so Baylors margin for error may be smaller than the matchup on paper suggests. [Read more 🡒]
Baylors Offense Has Something To Prove In This Tune-Up
Baylor heads into its meeting with Prairie View A&M looking for cleaner answers on offense after a revealing opener against Auburn. The focus starts up front, where the offensive line needs to set the tone in the run game and help the Bears build more rhythm, while the receiving group is expected to be part of a more complete performance as the staff keeps sorting out roles and chemistry.
The defense, meanwhile, already showed it can carry over against a lesser opponent. Baylors front was disruptive against Auburn and should have every chance to keep stressing an overmatched offense, which puts even more pressure on the Bears to use this tune-up to find some traction and leave with a clearer picture of what the offense can become. [Read more 🡒]