La Grange Standout DL Jaren Woods Commits to Baylor
Monday was a busy afternoon for the Baylor Bears in the 2023 recruiting class, landing key prospects on both sides of the football.
After flipping RB Bryson Washington from SMU, the Bears landed their 14th 2023 commitment just minutes later, when DL Jaren Woods announced on Twitter he'd be committing.
LETS GOOOOOOOO🐻🟢🟡@CoachDJ_ @CoachFoster_ @Bell_Brian_ @ahunt90 pic.twitter.com/Bsafu5wIrL
— JAREN (@jaren_w05) June 20, 2022
The La Grange (TX) product is a 3-star recruit on 247 and had offers from Auburn and Vanderbilt as well as in-state rivals Texas, Houston, Texas Tech and TCU.
Woods could add immediate depth to the Bears' defensive line which has continued to improve under head coach Dave Aranda and defensive line coach Dennis Johnson. Johnson was Woods’ go-to guy during his recruitment and the incoming lineman says the two have a good relationship and expressed “I feel like I could go to him about anything.”
Of the 14 2023 commits, Woods is the second defensive lineman to choose Baylor, joining Fort Bend Marshall's Trent Thomas. With current Defensive linemen Siaki Ika and Jaxon Player both being draft eligible and making up two of the six spots on the defensive line occupied by seniors, there could be competition for playing time as soon as Woods and Thomas hit campus.
The 6'5", 270-pound lineman is also the sixth 2023 commitment for the Bears on the defensive side, further proving the pull Aranda has for defensive stars.
At that size, Woods could be a difference-maker on the interior line at the Power 5 level. His frame has room for more weight, and he already moves well with the 265 pounds he carries.
Woods also possesses a lengthy wingspan and reach that would give any offensive tackle nightmares. He’s a raw physical talent who has displayed both strength and coordination while participating in discus and shotput for his high school track and field team.
In his junior season at La Grange, Woods wrapped up 61 tackles, 22 solo tackles, 6 TFL, 7 QB hurries and a sack for a Leopards team that lost in the second round.
Baylor's 2023 recruiting class currently sits as one of the top classes in the Big 12.
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