As the 2026 season nears, Baylor University's football team is facing a competitive battle for the Star position. This comes after the appointment of Joe Klanderman as the new defensive coordinator, who has welcomed several players from Kansas State to bolster the defense.
Key contenders Bo Onu and Daniel Cobbs are at the forefront of this competition. Onu, a safety standing 6 feet tall and weighing 210 pounds, participated in 11 games last season, tallying nine tackles. Klanderman has noted Onu's significant improvement and is optimistic about his progression in his second year.
Cobbs, who has previous experience with Klanderman, logged 415 snaps last season and is also in contention for the starting position.
Klanderman remarked on the close nature of the competition, stating, "That's a really good race right now," and expressed confidence in both players' capabilities in critical moments. Regardless of who secures the starting role, Klanderman intends to utilize both Onu and Cobbs throughout the season, emphasizing the value of rotating players to keep them fresh.
With the Bears set to face Auburn, the contest for the Star position is a focal point of the team's defensive strategy as the season unfolds.
