As the 2026 season approaches, Baylor University's football team is engaged in a notable competition for the Star position. This comes after the hiring of Joe Klanderman as the new defensive coordinator, who has brought in several players from Kansas State to enhance the defense's depth.
Key contenders for this role include Bo Onu and Daniel Cobbs. Onu, a safety standing 6 feet tall and weighing 210 pounds, participated in 11 games during his freshman season, making nine tackles. Klanderman has remarked on Onu's significant improvement and is optimistic about his growth in the upcoming season.
Cobbs, who has previously played under Klanderman, logged 415 snaps last season and is also in contention for the starting position.
Klanderman indicated that the competition between Onu and Cobbs is tight, stating, "That's a really good race right now," and he expressed confidence in their abilities to perform under pressure. Regardless of who secures the starting role, Klanderman plans to utilize both players extensively to keep them fresh throughout the season.
He emphasized the value of rotating players, saying, "If you're playing 35 snaps and somebody else is playing 35 snaps, those are 35 valuable snaps."
