Baylor University's football team is experiencing an intriguing competition for the Star position as the 2026 season approaches. Following the hiring of Joe Klanderman as the new defensive coordinator, several players from Kansas State have joined the Bears, adding depth to the defense.
Among the key players in the competition are Bo Onu and Daniel Cobbs. Onu, a 6-foot, 210-pound safety, played 11 games as a true freshman last season, recording nine tackles. Klanderman has observed significant improvement in Onu's performance and is excited about his development heading into his second year.
Meanwhile, Cobbs, who has experience under Klanderman with 415 total snaps last season, is also vying for the starting role.
Klanderman noted that the competition between Onu and Cobbs is very close, indicating that both players have shown strong potential. "That's a really good race right now," Klanderman remarked, expressing confidence in both players' abilities to perform in crucial situations.
Despite the tight competition, Klanderman plans to utilize both players extensively throughout the season. He emphasized the importance of keeping players fresh by rotating them, regardless of who is officially listed as the starter. "If you're playing 35 snaps and somebody else is playing 35 snaps, those are 35 valuable snaps," he said.
