By Foster Nicholas | Sports Editor, Braden Murray | LTVN Sports Director
After being named the starting quarterback less than two weeks before Baylor football’s season kickoff against Tarleton State, sixth-year senior Dequan Finn put on his pads and kept grinding.
LTVN’s Braden Murray brings the story
Although it was a big deal for Baylor fans that Finn was named the starter after an in-house competition that began in spring camp, it was just another day “chopping the wood and carrying the water.” The sixth-year senior’s leadership ability caught head coach Dave Aranda’s eye early on in training camp, and his daily mindset of “chopping the wood and carrying the water” propelled him to the starting role.
“He gives us the best chance to win right now. There’s really strong leadership with him,” Aranda said. “ He can make the throws he needs to make. And then, if stuff breaks down, he can make something out of nothing. And I think the ability to even add more in terms of quarterback run game is also there.”
Finn, who wore No. 7 during his football career, arrived on campus in December and dawned the No. 12 on his uniform. However, on Friday, Baylor football handed out single-digit numbers to players who were anticipated to have high levels of production and team leadership skills. Considering his offensive captain skills, Finn was again awarded his lucky No. 7.
“I’ve been wearing [No.] 7 since I was at the age of 7; that’s kind of ironic. And my great grandma, her favorite number was 7. She, unfortunately, passed away November 7th. So, that’s why I wear 7, to honor her,” Finn said.
Since Aranda took over as head coach, he opted to let his predecessor, Matt Rhule’s, system of assigning single-digit jersey numbers go to the wayside. While some of Baylor’s best players over the past few years wore single-digit jersey numbers, for example linebacker Dillon Doyle (No. 5) and safety Jalen Pitre (No. 2), it wasn’t because Aranda nominated them, but instead, they already wore them.
During the 2023 season, only sixth-year senior linebacker Matt Jones (No. 2), graduated safety Bryson Jackson (No. 7) and Las Vegas Raiders practice squad defensive lineman TJ Franklin (No. 9) wore single digits. Late in fall camp, Aranda hinted toward single-digit numbers making a return, and for the first time since 2012, every number from 1-to-10 will be worn.
Over the summer, Finn flashed some of his leadership skills that earned him No. 7 by traveling away from his hometown of Detroit to different hometowns of his wide receivers in order to get added practice. The connections primarily stemmed in Dalles where senior wide receiver Hal Presley hosted the Michigan native.
“[Texas] is a new area, and I need to get the timing and the connection with my receivers. So, I’m willing to do anything to build that relationship,” Finn said on his weekend trips. “But to me, it’s about how much you work in the offseason, and it’s really starting to pay dividends.”
The Toledo transfer excelled in 2023, winning the Mid-American Conference MVP. After jumping to the Big 12, his expectations remain the same no matter the competition: work hard every day, and results will come.
“At the end of the day, football is football. I came from a similar [Air Raid] offense. So, a lot of things, it’s not like an ‘Oh, snap!’ moment. It’s kind of like, even if I do mess up, I know what I did there and I can correct it the next time. So, I’m not really too fazed by [the move from the MAC to the Big 12].”
Kickoff for Baylor football’s season opener is set for 6 p.m. Saturday at McLane Stadium in Waco. The contest is being streamed on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.
