By Jerry Hill
Baylor Bear Insider
            Trying to give the Baylor defense a vivid picture of what he wants it to be under first-year coordinator Matt Powledge, head coach Dave Aranda showed a video clip from the last play of Super Bowl XXXIV.

            St. Louis Rams linebacker Mike Jones stopped Tennessee Titans receiver Kevin Dyson just short of the goal line, helping the Rams hold on for a 23-16 victory.

            "Almost reminiscent of the game we played a couple of years ago. Just so close," Aranda said after Thursday's opening day of fall camp, referring to Jairon McVea's goal-line stop in a 21-16 win over Oklahoma State in the 2021 Big 12 Championship game.

            "Here's the side of the ball that wants to be on the field when it matters most. Here's a team that, when there is momentum on the other side, we're going to be firemen and go put it out. We want that stage. Then, to execute as something as simple as possible on the biggest stage and the brightest lights, that's what we need to be."

            Powledge, who came back to Baylor after one season as the co-defensive coordinator at Oregon, has brought energy and a fresh set of eyes to a defense that slipped a notch or two during last year's 6-7 finish.

            "The guys, once they got the news that Coach Powledge was coming here, everybody was fired up about it," said seventh-year linebacker Bryson Jackson. "You get somebody that's fired up about being a part in setting the standard of what a defense should be like. And every guy wants to play for him. That's been the energy since we started offseason and since we started summer. So, definitely fired up about it."

            That energy and intensity – really on both sides – is what jumped off the page in Thursday's opening workout that was split between the outside practice fields and Allison Indoor Practice Facility.

            "I think the first team meeting (Wednesday) was way bouncing off the top of the roof, excitement," Aranda said. "So, to see some of that carry over into the last team period today, after being in the sun, was way cool to see. I think there's a strong connection with each other and there's a good friendship that I think is pushing each other to be better."

            In some ways, the younger players were even setting the "standards and what we want to be every day," Jackson said.

            "Most of (the new players) were setting the tone and setting the standard," he said. "That's what this team is about. Those guys are going out there, executing that and bringing the same energy. They're pushing guys around them and calming guys down, even if things don't go their way. As long as we keep doing that and keep bringing the same repetition every day, it's going to be something special."

            Aranda is counting on getting production from a group of newcomers that includes 13 portal transfers, "and they're going to have to attack their jobs to do that."

            "There's a bunch of first times kind of coming at them," he said. "Our ability to connect with them, so that they feel there's a value with them already, can help free them up to just go and get it. And I think we saw some of that today. I think there's others that we have to work on that. It's funny how roles will end up coming to them when they're in that attack mindset."

            Thursday was the first Baylor workout for Utah State transfer Byron Vaughns, while fifth-year senior linebacker Garmon Randolph was back with the team after being suspended in the spring.

            "The energy those guys bring just makes it different right off the bat. That's just way cool to see," Aranda said. "And then, you're seeing a guy like (Liberty transfer) Mike Smith that really kind of asserted himself in the spring and he's a different guy now because of all that. I just think you're a different team. Our hands are in the mix of just molding the team that we want to be."

            On the offensive side, the team got a look at an incredible 49-yard scramble for a touchdown by San Francisco quarterback Steve Young in a 24-21 win over the Minnesota Vikings. He broke or eluded seven tackles, got downfield blocks from his offensive linemen and Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice before stumbling into the end zone.

            "First of all, you see something that's planned out that didn't go the way it should. (Young) says, 'I'm good. I'm taking off,''' Aranda said. "There's a confidence. I'm perfect with things not working out how they should be. . . . You see Young stumble and barely make it over. People are helping him get up, he's out of breath. But that's a dude that wasn't going to be denied. Offensively, we need that type of gravitas and confidence."

            A Freshman All-American who set the school freshman rushing records with 972 yards and 14 touchdowns, Richard Reese has a different confidence and swagger going into this year.

            "(Oklahoma State transfer) Dominic Richardson has been the best thing for him, just the push," Aranda said. "If Richard was going to get in an ice tub, Dom's going to be right there trying to take his spot. They fight for everything. It's a friendly fight, but it's a fight, nonetheless. . . . (Reese) has always had an inner strength to him, but it's stretching out now to be a swagger. So, it's cool to see."

            Coming off an up-and-down sophomore season, quarterback Blake Shapen seems to have taken a big step on and off the field in terms of leadership.

            "Leadership-wise, he's just taken a huge step forward," sophomore receiver Josh Cameron said. "He's definitely been working in the offseason, working on his reads and all that stuff. But I'd say the main thing would definitely be his leadership role. He's being more vocal, moving guys around."

            Aranda said Shapen had some "good deep balls," hitting Arkansas transfer Ketron Jackson Jr. and redshirt freshman receiver Armani Winfield a couple times each.

            "And then, on the times where there was a struggle, you're hearing him. That's really cool to see," Aranda said. "I think he's in a groove with leadership and all of it. He knows what he wants and he's right in front."

            Baylor will be back on the practice field Friday and Saturday afternoon before taking a day off on Sunday. The Bears open the season on Sept. 2, hosting Texas State at 6 p.m. at McLane Stadium. Season and single-game ticket options are available at Football 2023.