INSIDER SCOOP: News, Notes from Baylor Summer Magazine Visit

Baylor Bears 2025 college football insider notes featuring Sawyer Robertson, Bryson Washington, Michael Trigg, Josh Cameron, Samu Taumanupepe, Keaton Thomas and Calvin Simpson-Hunt.

Mike Craven

https://www.texasfootball.com/articles/article/default.aspx?url=2025/02/12/column-baylor-bears-poised-to-be-breakout-team-from-texas-in-2025

https://www.texasfootball.com/articles/article/default.aspx?url=2025/03/26/ranking-the-best-college-football-programs-this-decade

The arrival of Texas A&M transfer Samu Taumanupepe provides Baylor with the big body the defense has been missing since Sianki Ika left two years ago. Taumanupepe is listed at 380 but is closer to 370 this spring. The coaches hope he gets to 350-360 by the start of the season to increase his snap count. His presence also allows Cooper Lanz to play boundary defensive end in a three-man front of the three-technique in a four-man front. He’s better suited there at 288 pounds.

Know the name Jackie Marshall. Baylor believes the highly graded defensive end is ready for an all-conference season. Devonte Tezino was another name mentioned among the defensive line group.

Linebacker Keaton Thomas is the leader on defense after posting over 100 tackles in his first year on campus. The staff says he’ll be even better in Year 2 because he’s learning how to play linebacker. He made plays with athleticism last year. The sky is the limit for him if he learns the finer points of the position. Thomas had only played one year of linebacker before transferring to Baylor from the JUCO ranks.

FIU transfer Travion Barnes is expected to replace Matt Jones as the other starting linebacker. He’s not cleared for spring practice after offseason surgery but is expected to resume non-contact training by the end of spring. Phoenix Jackson has impressed through the first week of spring with the extra reps. Jeremy Evans is another name that likely ends up on the two-deep.

Edge might be the biggest question mark, at least on paper. That’s because a lot rides on transfers Emar-rion Winston (Oregon) and Matthew Fobbs-White (Tulane). Winston is flashing the potential he posed as a recruit and he looks the part at 6-4, 255 pounds. Hobbs-White was complimented on his first step. Kyler Jordan is known as a run stuffer who never takes a bad step. But the wild card might be true freshman Kamauryn Morgan, especially on obvious passing downs.

Cornerback is another position with question marks. Caden Jenkins went through a sophomore slump last year and is four-man competition for two starting spots. Ohio State transfer Calvin Simpson-Hunt and returners Tevin Williams III and LeVar Thornton Jr. are also in that competition. Eye discipline and physicality were concerns at corner last year and newly hired assistant Paul Gonzales is hammering those home in the spring.

No starting spots are guaranteed at safety either. Carl Williams IV (nickel) and Devyn Bobby (deep safety) are multiple-year starters for the Bears. Transfers Tyler Turner (Oregon) and Devin Turner (Northwestern) are competing with Bobby in the back end. DJ Coleman is now a full-time nickel competing with Williams. Kendrick Simpkins is back from injury and he provides a weapon in run support or as a blitzer in six-defensive back sets.

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