Baylor wasn't on the top of Jackson Blackwell's offer list when he drove 15 minutes from his house in Lorena to Waco for his official visit on June 14. Then he sat down with head coach Dave Aranda.

“He’s the most honest Power Four head coach I’ve ever met," Blackwell said. "All the players I met with told me that’s the reason they stayed at Baylor, was Coach Aranda.”

Blackwell credits defensive coordinator Matt Powledge as the main reason he eventually committed on July 1. But Aranda had a transparent answer when Blackwell asked him what the plans were to improve upon the Bears' 3–9 record last season. Blackwell won't reveal all the trade secrets, but here's how he factors in: an opportunity for early playing time on the defensive line as a freshman and a chance to be the hometown hero.

An All-State selection in 2023, Blackwell held just three offers in March. Then, the 6-foot-3, 300-pound defensive tackle won MVP honors at the Under Armour Dallas camp. The next day, Texas Tech, Houston and Baylor all offered. The floodgates were open.

Blackwell was on schools' radars after posting 56 tackles, 10 coming for loss. He also qualified for the state powerlifting meet with a 490-pound bench, 605-pound deadlift and 700-pound squat. But watching him beat Division I recruits in one-on-ones solidified it.

“He’s truly strong as an ox," Lorena head coach Kevin Johnson said. "He’ll be as strong walking onto Baylor’s campus next season as anyone they’ve got over there right now.”

But Blackwell's made the biggest strides in his functional movement. He worked on footwork drills to improve his mobility and flexibility last summer heading into junior year. Now, his Hudl is full of plays chasing down running backs.

“A lot of people have the want-to. They hope it happens," Johnson said. "Jackson’s been one of those guys who’s gone in and put himself in a position to make sure it does happen.”

Blackwell's always had above-average athleticism, however. He was a wide receiver in junior high before transitioning to the line in high school. If Baylor needs some wide receiver help, they won't need to look far.

“I can’t run the fastest 40-yard, but I’ll moss anybody out there,” Blackwell said.