'It's Beautiful': Baylor WR Hal Presley Describes Blake Shapen's Passing Ability
There isn't much experience in the Baylor Bears receiving room this season. But receiver Hal Presley knows talent when he sees it.
At a receiver position that's wide open for snaps, Presley is wasting little time letting everyone know how sharp the passing ability of quarterback Blake Shapen has been leading up to the season.
"Geez. It's beautiful, I ain't gonna lie," Presley said Friday. "It's different coming from him. I've never like, all my career, I've never had a quarterback like him. He can throw from different angles. He's amazing."
Backing up quarterback Gerry Bohanon last season, Shapen still showed why he's a capable starter. He totaled 596 passing yards, five touchdowns, no interceptions, and completed 72 percent of his passes. He appeared in five games (all wins), including the all-so-important Big 12 Championship game, where he went an impressive 23-28 passing for 180 yards and three touchdowns against one of the best defenses in college football last season.
He and the Bears prevailed 21-16.
Presley is looking for some consistency with the Bears after having a back-and-forth career with the program over the past two years. He committed to Baylor in May 2020 but then de-committed later that October before announcing his pledge to the Auburn Tigers less than two weeks after.
He then entered the transfer portal after one year in the SEC before arriving at Baylor in July 2021. Presely only had one catch for 15 yards and one carry for 13 yards last season.
And even on a new Bears offense that Presley could be more heavily featured in, he continues to recognize the work Shapen has done to make himself into a valuable leader for coach Dave Aranda's team.
"He's stepped up more as a leader," Presley said. "He's definitely taken his leader role."
Presley will have to fight for consistent playing time over receivers like Gavin Holmes, Josh Cameron, and Monaray Baldwin. But with a clear love for Shapen's play and what he can bring to the defending Big 12 champs, there could be a unique passing connection brewing in Waco.
You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7
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