Baylor University's football team is witnessing an intense competition 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 and Daniel Cobbs, who are expected to significantly contribute to the defense.
Bo Onu, a 6-foot, 210-pound safety, is returning after playing 11 games as a true freshman last season, where he recorded nine tackles. Klanderman has noted Onu's development and anticipates considerable improvement in his second year. Meanwhile, Daniel Cobbs, who played extensively under Klanderman with 415 snaps last season, is also in contention for the Star position.
The Star role is a hybrid position that requires players to support both the run game and pass coverage. Klanderman has indicated that the competition between Onu and Cobbs is very close, stating, "Yeah, that's a really good race right now." He expressed confidence in both players, emphasizing that neither has had poor performances, making the competition even more compelling.
Despite the close battle, Klanderman plans to utilize both players throughout the season. He believes in rotating players to keep them fresh, stating that even if one is listed as a starter, both will receive significant playing time.
"There's going to be a lot of battles like that, and I think that one's very close," Klanderman added, underscoring the importance of experience and performance over mere titles.
