By Carson Vercoe | Sports Writer
As fall practices draw to a close and the new season kicks off, Baylor’s revamped defensive line is looking to create a new identity different than the one that took the field for the Bears last season. With a completely new defensive line and a proven defensive line coach, the Bears will look to right the ship at the line of scrimmage.
The Bears finished last season tied for last in the Big 12 and at the bottom of all the FBS in sacks, as well as being second to last in the Big 12 in rush yards given up per game with 197.2. The low stats, combined with a low return rate from players at the position last season, forced the Bears to revamp the defensive line.
Over the offseason, the Bears brought in someone to help address this growing problem on the defensive line. Defensive line coach Jacori Greer arrives in Waco after stops at Coastal Carolina, Louisiana Tech, Texas State and Abilene Christian. Greer brings plenty of scheme experience and football knowledge to the Bears’ defensive line.
While fixing Baylor’s defensive line will be challenging for Greer and there may not be one simple fix or schematic change, he has kept it simple for his players: focus on the basics.
“We’re preaching the fundamentals,” Greer said. “I don’t think we can preach it enough. We say our eyes, hands and feet won’t get us beat no day of the week.”
For a group with entirely new players, Greer’s message on the fundamentals means more. Before the Bears can become a dominant defensive line through these fundamentals, Greer wants to build a connection with his players.
“I think it’s important whether it’s year one at Baylor or year 15 at Baylor, you’ve got to build that relationship to where they trust you, and they play for you,” he said. “I have to put time in with them. They know my ticks; I know their ticks, and that’s what makes a cohesive group.”
Building relationships with his players is step one for Greer. Next is turning that relationship into production and aggression at quarterback.
“I think our style of play is just a little different,” Greer said. “Guys are playing the pass faster, because they are going up the field faster. I think that aggression alone will help the sack numbers.”
Greer is just one of many new faces in the defensive line room for the Bears. Through the transfer portal, the Bears landed Hosea Wheeler. The fifth-year defensive lineman and national champion at Indiana will bring dominant pressure to this defensive line.
“I bring a lot of experience, just that older guy mentality,” Wheeler said. “And that aggressive guy mentality because I’m trying to get everyone to run through some stuff.”
The Bears also grabbed another fifth-year player from South Florida in Traevon Mitchell. Mitchell comes off one of his best years at USF, where he was graded the second-best defender on the 9-3 Bulls team, and will provide another experienced presence up front.
“We are excited to have him; he gives us an element to our game that we don’t have,” Greer said.
The Bears’ defensive line portal additions don’t just stop at these two veterans. The Bears also landed senior defensive end Jordan Mack from Coastal Carolina and Garrick Ponder from Southern Miss. The transfer portal has added plenty of depth on the Bears’ line, something they lacked in 2025.
“It’s nice to be able to close your eyes and pick one of them and say go out there and know the job will be done,” Greer said. “That’s the expectation, and I told them that. I want to play as many guys as they allow me to play.”
These new faces, along with the others on the defensive line, have already impressed coaches throughout fall camp, including their coordinator, Joe Klanderman.
“Our defensive line is really good,” Klanderman said. “They’re deep, they’re explosive, they play well together, they’re playing hard.”
Early impressions from fall camp have coaches feeling optimistic about this revamped group, but it won’t be until that first snap of the season that the Bears will know just how improved this defensive line has become.
