As the 2026 season approaches, Baylor University's football team is witnessing a competitive race for the Star position. This comes after Joe Klanderman was appointed as the new defensive coordinator, bringing in several players from Kansas State to enhance the Bears' defensive lineup.
Key competitors for the position include Bo Onu and Daniel Cobbs. Onu, a safety standing 6 feet tall and weighing 210 pounds, participated in 11 games during his freshman year, accumulating nine tackles. Klanderman has noted considerable growth in Onu's skills and is optimistic about his progress as he enters his second season.
Cobbs, who has previously played under Klanderman, logged 415 total snaps last season and is also in contention for the starting spot.
Klanderman remarked on the close competition between Onu and Cobbs, stating that both athletes have demonstrated strong potential. He expressed confidence in their abilities to perform under pressure, saying, "That's a really good race right now." Regardless of who secures the starting position, Klanderman intends to use both players frequently throughout the season, highlighting the value of rotating players to maintain their performance.
He stated, "When one player is on the field for 35 snaps and another for the same, those are 35 valuable snaps."
