NCAA Football Baylor Bears

Baylor Bears Football: 5 Breakout Players for 2014 Season

5 Baylor Bears Headed for Breakout Seasons In 2014

Baylor football
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Even with the return of Heisman-candidate QB Bryce Petty, the Baylor Bears may have a tough time repeating as Big 12 champs in 2014. Baylor returns only nine starters between the offense and the defense. Of course, that means that there will be plenty of space for new stars to emerge. Here are five players who could potentially have breakout seasons and lead the Bears back to the top of the Big 12.

5. DT Javonte Magee

Javonte Magee Baylor
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

5. DT Javonte Magee

Javonte Magee Baylor
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Magee was not with the Baylor football program last season, after a productive freshman year in 2012, in which he played in 10 games and made 10 tackles as a defensive end. But Magee returned in time for spring practice this year and ended up winning a starting job at defensive tackle. Magee was considered a top 100 recruit in the class of 2012 and earned a five-star rating from 247 Sports.

4. DE Shawn Oakman

Shawn Oakman Baylor
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

4. DE Shawn Oakman

Shawn Oakman Baylor
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Oakman transferred to Baylor from Penn State two years ago and saw his first action last season. Oakman came out of the gates strong but couldn’t maintain the same level of productivity as the season progressed. He should spend more time on the field this season though and, at 6-foot-9, 275 pounds, it’s not hard to imagine him terrorizing opposing linemen.

3. RB Devin Chafin

Devin Chafin Baylor
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

3. RB Devin Chafin

Devin Chafin Baylor
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

The diminutive Shock Linwood was the freshman back that stole the show last year, coming out of nowhere to rush for 881 yards and eight touchdowns. As a result, redshirt freshman Devin Chafin was overlooked a bit. He ran for 295 yards and four touchdowns last season, with a very respectable 5.8 ypc. With Lache Seastrunk off the NFL, Linwood will likely take over the starting job, while Chafin could ascend to No. 2 on the depth chart.

2. S Orion Stewart

Orion Stewart Baylor
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

2. S Orion Stewart

Orion Stewart Baylor
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Baylor brings back a very young group of defensive backs this season. Stewart, a sophomore, will be one of the most experienced players in the secondary and could step into the starting safety job vacated by Ahman Dixon. Stewart started two games last year but played quite a bit as Dixon’s backup. He recorded 39 tackles and snagged one interception that he brought back for a touchdown.

1. WR Corey Coleman

Corey Coleman Baylor
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

1. WR Corey Coleman

Corey Coleman Baylor
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

After catching 35 passes for 527 yards and two touchdowns as a freshman last season, Coleman looks poised to emerge as a dominant receiver in 2014. Coleman excelled during the spring, including a scrimmage in which he eviscerated the Baylor defense with 112 yards on two catches that both went for touchdowns. Antwan Goodly will still be Baylor’s top target, but Coleman should be an outstanding second option.





Share Tweet