Smith has Room to Grow
K.J. Smith is really an interesting recruit to try and break down.
If you remember, he became Baylor's second commitment back in February as a defensive end.
He's definitely off to a great start this season with 12 sacks and nine quarterback hurries.
Most opponents are starting to account for him more as he is facing a lot of double teams. That's a sign of respect. It's also a time for him to make the adjustment.
But the Frisco Centennial star has the frame (6-2, 240) that makes you wonder if he could actually play at linebacker. Really, one talent evaluator doesn't see that happening. He gave this assessment of Smith.
"I think he is best suited as a DE or a DT,'' the evaluator said. "He is extremely quick off the ball but may not have the speed to play OLB. Also, he is a very lean 240 lbs. I think he will easily put on 20-30 lbs in college, which would make a force on the DL.''
Smith is expected to attend Baylor's game Saturday against TCU.
Another 2013 LB
Baylor's coaching staff may or may not replace the linebacker spot vacated by D.J. Green.
Last week, we presented some JUCO options. But there are still some Texas 2013 prospects out there including Killeen's Akeem Harrison.
Within the last two weeks, Harrison spoke with Baylor assistant head coach Brian Norwood and the two discussed the possibility of him coming to Waco to watch the Bears. It won't be this weekend against TCU.
"They are definitely considering me,'' said Harrison who hasn't received a Baylor offer yet. "Coach Norwood said they are looking at some other kids. I understand that. But they're No. 1 on my list.''
He's listed as a linebacker but the problem this season is that Harrison has played more offense than defense. Killeen coaches are playing him at wide receiver. Harrison has a listed offer from Boise State but it looks like that has fallen off because he said he hasn't spoken with those coaches in quite some time.
But there's a reason why he's a three-star recruit. He can move laterally pretty well.
"When I do practice with the defense, I'm usually used for outside containment,'' he said. "I think I'm pretty good at being a run stopper.''
His speed is respectable. While he hasn't been clocked in the 40 lately, Harrison runs a leg for the 4x100 and 4x200 relay teams and also runs the 100. His split in the sprint relay is 10.9 and 24.0 in the longer relay. He said his personal best in the 100 is 10.7.
TCU Visitors
Here's a look at some of the visitors SicEmSports.com expects to attend Saturday night's game against TCU. As always, this is subject to change, and we'll try to let you know at some point around kickoff which big names are attending.
Travon Blanchard, LB, West Orange-Stark (2013)
Johnny Jefferson, RB, Killeen Shoemaker
Raaquan Davis, LB, Rockwall Heath (2013) (trying to get his ride issues sorted out)
K.J. Smith, DE, Frisco Centennial (2013)
Xavier Phillips, LB, Fort Worth All Saints (2013)
Joseph Massey LB, Killeen Shoemaker, 6-0, 210 (2013)
Qwoy Blount WR, Killeen Shoemaker, 6-0, 180 (2014)
Wesley Harris, Ath, Fort Worth Southwest (2013)
Robbie Rhodes, WR, Fort Worth Southwest (2013)
Austin Jupe, DB, San Antonio East Central (2013)
James David, LB, Rockdale (2014)
Deionte Thompson, DB, West Orange-Stark (2015)
Jeremy Jones, QB, San Antonio East Central (2014)
Big 12 Weekend
A look at the upcoming weekend action involving the Big 12 along with their TV listings. All times are central.
No. 10/13 Oklahoma (3-1, 1-1) vs. No. 15/15 Texas (4-1, 1-1)
11:00 a.m. Saturday, Cotton Bowl, Dallas (ABC)
The Skinny: Really, this is an elimination game in the race for the Big 12 championship. This is the 107th meeting. Texas leads, 59-42-5. Texas likely will not have running back Malcolm Brown (ankle) but could have linebacker Jordan Hicks (hip). Texas' defense is struggling this year permitting more than 404 yards per game. The Sooners played their best game of the year at Lubbock last week. However, Oklahoma is minus 2 in the turnover ratio this year.
No. 5/6 Kansas State (5-0, 2-0) at No. 25 Iowa State (4-1, 1-1)
11:00 a.m. Saturday, Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA (FX)
The Skinny: This game could have the potential for an upset. Cyclone QB Jared Barnett makes his second consecutive start and really deserved it. Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein is quietly putting himself into the Heisman Trophy race. Iowa State must protect the ball. Kansas State leads the Big 12 in turnover ratio at plus 10. Iowa State is seventh at minus one.
Oklahoma State (2-2, 1-0) at Kansas (1-4, 0-2)
2:30 p.m. Saturday, Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, KS. (FOX Sports Net)
The Skinny: Kansas appears to be headed toward a 1-11 season as coach Charlie Weis seems to be looking at anybody and everybody. Dayne Crist is struggling completing only 50 percent of his passes and has three TD passes against seven interceptions. The Cowboys are mum on quarterback Wes Lunt (knee) and whether he will play. This looks like this is J.W. Walsh's offense until further notice.
No. 4/5 West Virginia (5-0, 2-0) at Texas Tech (4-1, 1-1)
2:30 Saturday, Jones AT&T Stadium, Lubbock (ABC/ESPN)
The Skinny: This is a bit of a homecoming West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen who was an assistant coach in Lubbock during the Mike Leach era. Sophomore running back Andrew Buie is the reigning Big 12 offensive player of the week after rushing for 207 against Texas last week. The Red Raiders' defense (No. 2 in the nation at 210) took a serious punch from Oklahoma last week and faces the nation's No. 3 offense in the country (570.8).
No. 23 TCU (4-1, 1-1) at Baylor (3-1, 0-1)
6:00 p.m. Saturday, Floyd Casey Stadium, Waco (FOX Sports Net)
The Skinny: One of the oldest rivalries in college football renews as both Baylor and TCU are in the same conference since 1995 when they were members of the Southwest Conference. This is the 108th meeting. The series is deadlocked, 50-50-7. Baylor won an epic opener in 2011, 50-48. The Bears are coming off a bye week and need to get their defense going. Quarterback Nick Florence leads the nation in total offense (434.0). TCU, which lost quarterback Casey Pachall earlier this week, has seen 21 players leave its roster since February. Redshirt freshman QB Trevone Boykin is now the starter.
Emptying the Notebook
• Although Baylor offered Port Aransas DB William Butler, don't look for him being in the Bears future plans. Butler said his main interest is now coming from Texas A&M-Kingsville and Texas State.
• As for the newest 2014 basketball recruit to receive an offer in Chicago area power forward Cliff Alexander, Rivals national basketball analyst Eric Bossi said the early leaders for him are Michigan State and Kentucky.
• Baylor has offered Rockdale 2014 linebacker James David. David attended Texas' game against West Virginia and did an unofficial visit for Alabama's game against Ole Miss. After watching Baylor-TCU this weekend, David is also considering taking in Texas A&M's home game against LSU next week.
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