Baylor University's football team is experiencing a competitive battle for the Star position, particularly between Bo Onu and Daniel Cobbs. This competition has intensified following the hiring of Joe Klanderman as the new defensive coordinator, which has brought in several players from Kansas State, including Coby McCalister, Ryan Davis, and Jayden Rowe, all expected to enhance Baylor's defensive lineup in 2026.
Bo Onu, a 6-foot, 210-pound safety, played in 11 games as a true freshman last season, recording nine tackles. Klanderman has noted significant improvements in Onu's performance, 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."
Meanwhile, Daniel Cobbs, who has extensive experience under Klanderman with 415 total snaps last season, is also vying for the starting role.
The Star position, which functions similarly to a Rover, requires players to support the run game while also being capable of dropping back into coverage. Klanderman has indicated that the competition between Onu and Cobbs is very close, with both players demonstrating their capabilities throughout practice.
"That's a really good race right now," Klanderman commented, expressing confidence in both players' abilities to perform in crucial situations.
Despite the tight competition, Klanderman plans to utilize both Onu and Cobbs during the season. He emphasized the importance of keeping players fresh and rotating them, stating that regardless of who is officially listed as the starter, both will receive valuable playing time.
