Western Kentucky EDGE transfer JaQues Evans commits to Baylor

Baylor has added a commitment from an all-conference-caliber player, snagging a pledge from Western Kentucky EDGE transfer JaQues Evans.

Evans was named the 2023 CUSA Preseason Defensive Player of the Year but saw his junior campaign cut short due to injury after just six games.

He’s capable of absolutely stuffing the stat sheet.

As a sophomore in 2022, Evans logged 106 tackles, 14.0 tackles for a loss, 9.0 sacks, two fumble recoveries, a blocked kick and five passes defended. For that he was named to the 2022 All-Conference USA first team.

In four seasons at Western Kentucky, Evans recorded 182 tackles, 19.0 tackles for a loss, 12.0 sacks, five fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles, a blocked kick and seven passes defended.

He’ll immediately be able to step in and provide some help to the Baylor defensive line, which also added a pledge from Texas Southern defensive tackle Elinus Noel on Sunday evening.

Prior to enrolling at Western Kentucky, JaQues Evans was ranked as a three-star recruit and the No. 723 overall prospect in the 2020 recruiting class, according to the On3 Industry Rankings.

He also checked in as the No. 18 athlete in his class and the No. 75 overall player from the state of Georgia, hailing from Dublin (GA) Dublin.

Baylor lands commitment from Elinus Noel

Just before JaQues Evans made his commitment to the Bears official, Texas Southern defensive tackle Elinus Noel did the same.

Noel announced the news on his Twitter page on Sunday evening, making it official. The announcement comes shortly after the defensive tackle took his official visit to Waco to visit Baylor. Noel will slide into nose tackle and will help provide some reinforcements at the position, after the Bears lost two players to medical retirements (Tre Emory and Jerrell Boykins).

Last year, he racked up 52 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks for the Texas Southern Tigers. Noel graded out at 78.4 according to PFF, which ranked him 71st in America, according to Pro Football Focus. They ranked him at a run defense grade of 87.5, putting him at 14th in the country.

Noel had an impressive list of offers in the portal: NC State, Kentucky, Kansas State, Arkansas, and the Maryland Terrapins. The 330-pounder will have one year of eligibility left with the Baylor Bears.

On3’s Wade Peery also contributed to this report.