3 Baylor Football WRs Who Need to Step Up for Injured Taz Williams Jr.
Baylor’s wide receiver room suffered a setback during fall camp when second-year receiver Taz Williams Jr. went down with a broken collarbone.
Head coach Dave Aranda explained that Williams will undergo surgery but is expected to return in a few weeks. Williams injured himself while going up for a pass and landing on his collarbone.
While his absence may be relatively short, it still creates an opportunity for other receivers to take on additional responsibilities. Here are three players who could see increased roles while Williams is sidelined.
Ashton Jones
At 6-foot-4, redshirt freshman Ashton Jones offers a much different physical profile than Williams. His size and athleticism give Baylor a legitimate vertical threat who can make plays on contested catches.
With Williams temporarily out, wide receivers coach Dallas Baker has an excellent opportunity to evaluate Jones and see whether he can earn a larger role in the rotation. If Jones can consistently stretch the field and win those 50/50 balls, he could provide Jake Spavital’s up-tempo offense with another dangerous option on the outside.
Jadon Porter
Jadon Porter may be the most natural candidate to fill Williams’ role because he already has experience in Baylor’s offense.
Porter finished last season with nine receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown while averaging 9.4 yards per catch. He also appeared in 11 games, giving him valuable experience within the receiver rotation.
With Williams unavailable, Baylor could lean on Porter’s familiarity and experience to help keep the passing attack productive. His ability to step in without needing to learn the offense from scratch makes him an especially logical option.
London Smith
For true freshman and hometown prospect London Smith, Williams’ injury could create an important early opportunity.
Smith brings plenty of raw athleticism and breakaway speed, giving him the potential to become a difficult matchup for opposing defenses. Getting additional reps during camp could accelerate his development and give the coaching staff a better idea of how ready he is to contribute immediately.
There are obvious risks that come with relying on a true freshman, including a steep learning curve and the possibility of mistakes. Still, giving Smith more opportunities now could pay dividends later in the season and potentially reveal another playmaker for Baylor’s offense.
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