What’s next?
Baylor can offer an attractive coaching position, but high school recruits have much to mull.
The aftermath of coach Art Briles’ firing following a sexual assault scandal is already affecting Baylor’s recruiting. Next year’s football class, which already includes a bevy of Houston standouts, took to social media Thursday to show their concerns about their commitment to the school.
Baylor had six total commitments for the 2017 class. After news of Briles’ firing broke Thursday, however, Waco La Vega tight end Kedrick James decommitted, leaving five pledges in the class, including four from the Houston area.
Stafford wide receiver Hezekiah Jones might be the Bears’ most prized 2017 recruit, rated as a fourstar prospect and No. 18 overall in the state by 247Sports. When asked for comment on Briles’ firing, Jones simply replied, “It’s crazy.”
Stafford has another 2017 Baylor commitment in three-star safety Jalen Pitre.
Where the two stand is unknown. Stafford coach Ron Counter said he planned to speak with his players regarding the situation.
“The assistant coaches (at Baylor) have done a great job of recruiting those guys,” Counter said. “In fact, a couple of them were here this week. They’ve really built a strong relationship with the coaches at Baylor.
“I think everything is up in the air until everybody finds out more.”
Counter said wherever Jones and Pitre land — be it Baylor or elsewhere — that program is getting impact talent.
“In the long run, I’m worried about what’s in their best interest,” Counter said.
Bellaire has the other pair of 2017 Baylor commitments from Houston in defensive tackle Jayden Peevy and safety Donovan Stiner.
Peevy declined to comment on Briles’ firing, but the 6-6, 279-pounder tweeted “Thanks @CoachArtBriles for believing in me … Thanks for everything.”
Bellaire coach Herb Kunz declined to comment on his athletes’ commitments but shared Counter’s sentiments as far as supporting his players is concerned.
Many other 2017 Houston-area recruits are Baylor targets. Lamar defensive back Grant Delpit is one of the most sought-after recruits in the country, and Baylor made his top-10 list in April. After Thursday’s news broke, Delpit retweeted a mention that read “I guess you can drop Baylor out of your top ten.”
Former St. Thomas and current IMG Academy wide receiver Jhamon Ausbon is another 2017 Baylor target. He tweeted “nooo way” in reaction to Briles’ firing, followed by “Really hate that happened.”
Elsik product and current Baylor sophomore receiver Ishmael Zamora tweeted support for Briles. The tweet read, “My Leader, My Teacher, will never forget the opportunities he set before me and the expectation he set for me.”
Former Navasota receiver Tren’Davian Dickson, one of three Houston recruits in Baylor’s 2016 signing class, declined comment but retweeted Baylor sophomore running back Terence Williams, whose post read, “Coach Briles was the ONLY reason a lot of us came here …. People don’t get it.”
Hightower defensive end Michael Johnson and Spring defensive tackle Bravvion Roy are the other Houston recruits in Baylor’s 2016 class. They are eligible to be released from their letters of intent if they want to be, but it is up to Baylor to grant such releases.
Dickson is already on campus as an early enrollee. Generally, NCAA rules require transfers to sit out a year and lose eligibility.
Oak Ridge recruiting coordinator Kevin Goodwin would recommend his players pay attention to how the situation unfolds. But there is a golden rule to always follow.
“I always tell my kids you go to a school for the school, not the coach,” Goodwin said. “Because there aren’t many times that you go and either your position coach or head coach or coordinator don’t leave and go somewhere else. So you have to choose a school because of the school.”