Baylor has built a Top 40 class nationally heading into the fall. But the Bears are still looking to add a few more key pieces to the puzzle.

Bears Illustrated recruiting analyst Tim Watkins shares his thoughts on Baylor's class and more:

What are your overall thoughts on Baylor's class at this point in the cycle?

Watkins: The 2019 class is nearly full, with just a handful of spots left to fill. Baylor has once again put together an athletic and versatile class, one built with size and speed in mind. There is a lot of untapped potential in this class, and while the overall rankings might not be as high as the 2018 class (with six four-star commitments versus one currently in 2019), the Bears staff has hit on a high number of "their guys." Four-star quarterback Jacob Zeno is the headliner, and the first time Rhule has gotten his quarterback early. Wide receiver Jaylen Ellis, running back Qualan Jones and linebacker/safety Tyrone Brown are the other headliners.

Matt Rhule is in his second year with the program. How would you grade him as a recruiter so far?

Watkins: As a recruiter, he has far succeeded the expectations most had for him. With his lack of "Texas ties" and more professional style offensive system, some thought recruiting would take a big step backwards under the Rhule regime. A sprint to the finish line 40th ranked class in 2017 was almost a miracle, obtaining 26 commitments in under two months and building a class with several signees with Power Five offers. Following that up with the 31st ranked class in 2018 was another step forward and showed Baylor could recruit at a similar level to what they had done in the past.

What are some of Baylor's remaining needs this cycle?

Watkins: The Bears still need impact players on the offensive and defensive lines. Getting top target Gabriel Hall was critical for the Bears, but they are still looking at a few pass rushers. On the offensive line, Brant Banks from the Houston area is a top target. Baylor is also in on several athletes including Amarillo Tascosa running back King Doerue, Midlothian Heritage wide receiver Langston Anderson and Plano East safety Tyler Owens.

How much of an asset has former Cedar Hill head coach Joey McGuire been on the recruiting trail?

Watkins: McGuire was one of the key hires Rhule made when he first came to Baylor, bringing McGuire in among a trio of successful and well known Texas high school football coaches. McGuire was the most targeted though, as his connections to the D-FW-area have been critical for the Bears. Six commitments in the 2017 class were from D-FW, followed up by five more in 2018, including four-star recruits Josh Fleeks from McGruire's former school, Cedar Hill, and DeSoto corner BJ Hanspard. The 2019 class won't be as heavy in D-FW, but 2020 could be stock full of high impact targets that McGruire recruits.

Baylor has two Dallas-area commits in Solomon Turner and Qualan Jones. What do they bring to the table and how do you see them fitting in at Baylor?

Watkins: Both Jones and Turner are under-the-radar recruits that showed very well at camps earlier in the summer, with both earning scholarship offers on the spot. Running back Qualan Jones is a 5-foot-10, 220 pound physical specimen who looks like he could be playing DI football today. The Bears would be happy with him as their lone running back target for 2019 but are still recruiting King Doerue as well. Turner is a safety/linebacker prospect from Prestonwood Christian, who the Bears love athletically. At 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, Turner could add more weight to his frame and slide down into a true linebacker role but is likely to see time at a hybrid safety/linebacker position. Though neither has any other major regional offers, both are ones to watch in their senior year.