Welcome to the Fierce 40 series of my 2015 College Football Rankings, where I will be counting down the top 40 ranked teams in the NCAA. Today I will be analyzing the Baylor Bears, 7 overall for the 2015 college football season.

I will be releasing one NCAA team preview per day, providing my analysis on each team in the top 40 rankings. There will be a focus on every key area of each college football team, thereby determining my overall ranking, with an emphasis on future NFL Draft prospects. Stay tuned.

Previous articles in the Fierce 40 college football rankings series can be found here.

#7 Baylor Bears

2014 Recap:

What a wacky year for Baylor, as they go 11-2 but miss the College Football Playoff as they controversially beat TCU in the regular season. But without a Conference Title game they and the Horned Frogs are left on the outside looking in. Baylor lost a heartbreaker to Michigan State 42-41 in one of the most entertaining Cotton Bowl games in years.

Coaching:

Art Briles has brought Baylor out of obscurity in the state of Texas. Once behind the Longhorns, Aggies, and even the Sooners of Oklahoma, suddenly Baylor and TCU are kings of the state and getting top-ranked recruits. The Bears sported the #1 offense in the NCAA last year from a yards standpoint and scoring (48.2 PPG). Kendal Briles is the coordinator with Phil Bennett serving as the defensive coordinator for a unit that ranked #50 in the nation in 2014.

Offensive Analysis

Quarterbacks/Running Backs:

Seth Russell at quarterback is not much of a dropoff from what Baylor had with current New York Jet quarterback Bryce Petty. When inserted in games there was actually little to no dropoff overall with Russell at the controls.

Shock Linwood will be the main cog in the offense although Johnny Jefferson brings big play potential of his own at the running back position. Baylor always does a nice job of utilizing multiple backs for big plays. Linwood will be the man down the stretch, but the Bears won’t overwork him.

Best Draft Prospect: Shock Linwood RB 4th Round 2016 (if he declares, part of the 2017 draft class).

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends:

Corey Coleman is just a big play waiting to happen. Coleman finished with 11 touchdowns on the year, posting a 64-1119-11 TD line, and over half the touchdowns scored were beyond 20 yards. As good as Coleman is he may not even be the best deep threat on the team with youngster KD Cannon posting 58-1030-8 and being the fastest wide receiver on the team. Lynx Hawthorne should start and be more of a slot receiving threat while Coleman and Cannon will work the intermediate and deep routes. Reserve Chris Platt will see plenty of action and spell a few of the starters.

Tre’Von Armstead is the starting tight end, but it will be backup LaQuan McGown that will attract the most attention. At 400 pounds McGown gained notoriety when he scored a touchdown in his lone reception a season ago but he is essentially an extension of the offensive line.

Best Draft Prospect: Corey Coleman WR 2nd Round 2017 (possible declaration for 2016).

Offensive Line:

With the type of running attack Baylor employs, having experience is key, and all five starters from 2014 are back. Spencer Drango is not only back in the fold, but he is one of the best run blockers in the country and what looks to be a lock for the 1st round of the draft entering the season. We expected Drango to be drafted in the middle to late stages of round one last year, but he surprisingly decided to come back to Baylor for his senior season.

Jarrell Broxton and Pat Colbert are a pair of seniors holding down the right side of the line, while Blake Muir is a senior guard who could hear his name called in the draft. This unit has a chance to be the best offensive line at the FBS level.

Best Draft Prospect: Spencer Drango OT 1st Round 2016.

Defensive Analysis

Defensive Line:

Pick your poison going against this front line where 6’8” defensive end Shawn Oakman is not only imposing to look at, but seems to rise to the occasion in key situations. Oakman, like offensive tackle Spencer Drango, surprised many by not declaring for the draft a season ago when some thought of him as a top 10 overall selection. Oakman had 19.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks on the campaign. Just like the offensive line, the entire defensive line starters are back, as Andrew Billings, Beau Blackshear and Jamal Palmer combined for 24 tackles for loss and seven sacks themselves.

Best Draft Prospect: Shawn Oakman DE 1st Round 2016..

Linebackers:

Bryce Hager was the leading tackler and was lost to the NFL. The second leading tackler from 2014 was a surprise in the form of undersized Taylor Young who finished with 92 stops. Grant Campbell should be the other starter, as Baylor will use five defensive backs in most formations. Expect Aiavion Edwards and Raaquan Davis to be the key reserves with plenty of speed.

Best Draft Prospect: Taylor Young LB/S 6th Round 2018.

Secondary:

Xavien Howard is the gem of the secondary, as the junior tied for the team lead with four interceptions and led the team with 17 passes defensed. At 6’2” Howard has the other key factor that can’t be coached in the secondary…size. Ryan Reid, Terrell Burt and Orion Stewart are all back, as Baylor has yet another unit that is intact from last season.

Best Draft Prospect: Xavien Howard CB 4th Round 2017.

Special Teams

Losing punter Spencer Roth is nearly as big as Bryce petty. The punter doesn’t work often at Baylor, but Roth was a nice weapon to have when needed. Chris Callahan came on with a strong finish at kicker after making 18 field goals a season ago.

Best Draft Prospect: N/A.

2015 Schedule

The last four games should say it all for Baylor with Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, TCU and TCU on the schedule (Oklahoma and Texas as home games). You know TCU will want revenge after the come-from-behind Baylor win last year (61-58) that ultimately cost TCU a shot at the College Football Playoff. West Virginia comes in the middle of the year and is a revenge game after West Virginia handed Baylor their only regular season loss in 2014.

Draft Prospects & Outlook

This team is littered with big picks but none bigger than offensive tackle Spencer Drango. Drango was a fringe first rounder last season, and we were surprised he decided not to declare. Shawn Oakman, Beau Blackshear and Andrew Billings are all top-notch prospects along the line that are massive. Xavien Howard and Corey Coleman look to be the players we feel will have breakout years for this team.

NCAA & College Football Chat

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