The actions of Baylor recruiting indicates a change is on the way. The Bears signed two tight ends in 2017 and have three more intriguing tight end prospects committed in the 2018 class. The day is coming when Baylor, like Stanford, is synonymous with the tight end position.

When Baylor hired Matt Rhule last December, an immediate concern among fans was what Baylor’s new offense would look like. Baylor had built its reputation on lightning-fast tempo, deep passes and an underappreciated but highly successful running game.

In contrast, Rhule is a believer in a pro-style offense with a grinding running game and advanced route tree. In Rhule’s offense, the formations frequently change and utilize positions like fullback and tight end, which were virtually ignored in Art Briles’ offense.

The change in offensive style has not been as drastic as some expected. The Bears have averaged 323 passing yards per Big 12 game this year, and Baylor leads the country in plays of 70+ yards.

The difference is at least one tight end has been in on almost every play. Additionally, the Bears have repeatedly utilized a “jumbo” formation in which three tight ends are joined on the field by sophomore fullback Kyle Boyd and only one receiver.

Surprisingly, Baylor has only completed five passes to tight ends this season. However, the 38-9 win over Kansas gave a glimpse into the future. In that game, senior Jordan Feuerbacher hauled in a 25-yard touchdown from Charlie Brewer. Later, small forward-turned-tight end Ish Wainright out-jumped a Kansas defender in the corner of the end zone for his first career catch and touchdown.

Those plays showed that tight ends will not only be utilized in Baylor’s new offense but can shine. Although Feurbacher and Wainright will both graduate, there won’t be a lack of talent at Baylor’s tight end spot.

Stephen F. Austin transfer Jayson Clements has played in seven games this season and returns next season. Freshman Rob Saulin appeared in four games and looked strong before suffering a season-ending injury. Saulin’s 2017 classmate Tyler Henderson is redshirting this year but should give the Bears a dynamic pass catcher for years to come.

Then there are the commitments in the 2018 class.

The headliner is 6-foot-7, 220-pound Bralen Taylor out of Cuero, Texas. Taylor has the hands and body control of a receiver and is also a willing blocker. It is expected he will need to add weight to play at the collegiate level, but Taylor’s speed could allow him to split out at receiver. Taylor has even shown the ability to break tackles and gain chunks of yardage as a runner while playing wildcat quarterback for Cuero.

Taylor has the makings of a stud, but Christoph Henle and Ben Sims may turn out to be great Baylor tight ends as well.

Henle grew up in Austria and learned to play football there. In search of stronger competition, he moved to The Oakridge School in Arlington, Texas. Henle is nearly 6-foot-6 and weighs 245 pounds. Like Taylor, he has shown the ability to line up at receiver and either out-run or out-muscle defensive backs. Henle also had an epic commitment video featuring a mountain.

Sims already looks and moves like a college tight end at 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds. He is also probably the most physical of the 2018 tight ends, whether that is blocking or with the ball in his hands. In a game earlier this season, Sims caught eight passes for 181 yards and three touchdowns for his San Antonio Clark team.

If those three stick to their commitments, Baylor will have six scholarship tight ends ready for action in the 2018 season. Don’t be surprised to see three tight end sets become more and more common in Baylor’s offense, much like Stanford did when it had guys like Zach Ertz, Coby Fleener and Austin Hooper.

Perhaps the Bears will, especially given several of the players’ ability to line up at receiver, put four or more tight ends on the field at a time. Think about all the red zone scoring options. The possibilities are endless and exciting.

To opposing defenses against the Baylor offense of the future, good luck.