Baylor University's football team is experiencing a competitive battle for the Star position as the 2026 season approaches. With the hiring of Joe Klanderman as the new defensive coordinator, several players from Kansas State have joined the Bears, including Coby McCalister, Ryan Davis, Jayden Rowe, and Daniel Cobbs, who are expected to enhance the team's defense.
Bo Onu, a 6-foot, 210-pound safety, returns after playing 11 games as a true freshman last season, during which he recorded nine tackles. Klanderman has noted Onu's significant improvement since last year, stating, "to see the leaps and bounds that he's going to make from year one to year two on the grass is really cool."
While McCalister is confirmed to be playing safety, the competition for the Star position is primarily between Onu and Cobbs. Klanderman described the race as very close, with both players having their strengths. Cobbs, who played extensively under Klanderman with 415 total snaps last season, is competing directly with Onu for the starting role against Auburn.
Klanderman emphasized the importance of depth in the defense, indicating that both Onu and Cobbs will see significant playing time regardless of who is officially listed as the starter. He stated, "If you're playing 35 snaps and somebody else is playing 35 snaps, those are 35 valuable snaps, whether it's the first snap of the game or the last snap of the game."
As the season nears, the coaching staff is focused on keeping players fresh and rotating them to gain experience, suggesting that fans can expect to see both Onu and Cobbs contributing significantly throughout the season.
