The Baylor Football team’s incredibly complementary performance in their 45-17 win against Texas Tech on Saturday prompted well-deserved honors for freshman RB Richard Reese! Just a few days ago, Reese was picked as the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year as he essentially held the Baylor offense on his back throughout the Red Raiders match up and in most of the games prior. And today, Reese was named one of 14 semifinalists for the Maxwell Football Club’s Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award! Reese is cementing his position as one of the Bears’ best RBs ever—recording a career-high 36 carries for 148 yards and 3 TDs. According to Baylor Athletics’ Jerry Hill (papa), “Saturday marked Reese’s fourth multi-TD effort of the year, third 100-yard performance of the season, and second three-TD output of 2022. He also added 12 receiving yards on three catches as BU won its fifth game of the season.” Such an outstanding performance by Reese combined with sophomore QB Blake Shapen’s 211 yards and 1 TD established a thoroughly balanced offensive showing. Reese was named Big 12 Newcomer of the Week for the second time this season (he earned the first award after the Bears’ victory over Texas State during the third week of the season), which makes him the first athlete in program history to earn the honor twice in one season. Reese also needs only 90 more yards to match former RB Shock Linwood’s freshman rushing record of 881 yards. The Shaun Alexander Award celebrates the most outstanding college football freshman athlete in the nation in honor of Shaun Alexander from Alabama. Of course the competition is thick with fellow Shaun Alexander semifinalists Alabama DB Terrion Arnold, Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan; Georgia DB Malaki Starks; Illinois LB Gabe Jacas; Kentucky DL Deone Walker; LSU LB Harold Perkins Jr.; LSU OL Will Campbell; Maryland LB Jaishawn Barham; North Carolina QB Drake Maye; Ole Miss RB Quinshon Judkins; Penn State LB Abdul Carter; South Carolina DB Nick Emmanwori; Texas OL Kelvin Banks Jr., but Reese’s best is yet to come! In the past 8 games, Reese amassed 152 carries for 791 yards and 12 TDs. The future is bright for Reese and the rest of the young Baylor team!
