The handful of seniors on the Baylor football roster has seen immense success and more hardships than any other group in the nation throughout their years in the green and gold. From back-to-back Big 12 championships to a current growing pain year under a fresh staff with a 1-9 record, the veteran Bears have experienced it all. Although they are the minority group on the team with only 16 members compared to freshmen (33 + 9 redshirt freshmen), sophomores (37) and juniors (20), many of the older athletes have had record-setting seasons and made their mark on Baylor football history. On Saturday, those 16 men will play their last collegiate game at McLane Stadium. Despite all of the trials and hardships they’ve faced over the past few seasons, they persevered and remained loyal to the program and to creating a culture of respect and character. No other group of athletes in the nation has faced as many struggles as those seniors have and they deserve all of the applause and support Baylor fans can offer as they take the field for the last time.
For TE Jordan Feuerbacher, S Davion Hall, RB Jonathan Hockman, LB Iain Hunter, WR Tyler Jaynes, WR Quan Jones, WR Blake Murphy, DE Brian Nance, OL Mo Porter, OL Daniel Russell, S Taion Sells, OL Tyrae Simmons, DE KJ Smith, TE Ish Wainright, S Chance Waz and LB Taylor Young, Saturday will be a bittersweet farewell to their time with Baylor football. For the sake of the seniors, I hope the Bears pull out one final win as a send off. However, even if the final score reads in favor of Iowa State, those 16 players have nothing to be ashamed of. While they may not be winners on the field, their character and purpose are victories in itself.
