Blake Mahon had a feeling when he showed up for his Friday visit to Baylor that this might be the big day.
The Coppell (Texas) tight end had told his friends and family that he’d have a hard time saying no if the Bears offered him a scholarship during his time in Waco. He was right.
Mahon became the 11th member of the Bears’ 2014 class not long after he received his offer. The 6-foot-6, 226-pound junior chose the Bears over offers from Illinois, Rutgers and Rice.
“I chose Baylor because when I got there, I really connected great with the coaches,” Mahon said. “They have a great player-coach relationship. They shot me straight on everything they told me and didn’t fluff anything up. I fell in love with the school.”
The Baylor coaching staff told Mahon they’re expecting a shortage of tight ends for their 2014 team, and they’d like to see him bulk up to 260 pounds before he gets to campus. If he can pull that off, he’d have a chance to play as a freshman.
After wrapping up his visit, Mahon talked things over with his father and brother on their drive back to Coppell. By the time he got home, he knew he was ready.
“I talked to my dad more at home and I felt like this was a once-in-a-lifetime offer that I had to take,” Mahon said.
As a junior, Mahon caught two passes for 30 yards. He’s hoping to be more of a receiving threat this fall and said he’s hoping for a versatile role both on the line and split out in Baylor’s offensive scheme.
Mahon is the Bears’ second tight end pledge, joining Jordan Feuerbacher (Kingwood, Texas/Kingwood Park). He’s also one of two prospects to join the Bears’ class on Friday along with linebacker James Jacobs III (Waco, Texas/Midway).