Skip to content

Shapen to remain Baylor's starting QB in 2023

Icon Sportswire / Getty

Baylor head coach Dave Aranda named Blake Shapen the team's starting quarterback ahead of the 2023 season, according to ESPN's Adam Rittenberg.

The redshirt junior passer was involved in a competition with sophomore Sawyer Robertson for the top spot on the depth chart this spring. Aranda mentioned that consistency during the spring session led to the decision to stick with Shapen as QB1.

This marks the second time in as many seasons that Shapen beat out a competitor for the starting role. He fended off Gerry Bohanon in a QB battle last spring. Bohanon decided to enter the transfer portal, ultimately landing with South Florida.

Shapen tallied 2,790 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, with a 63.3% completion rate in 2022.

"I think I've been in a quarterback battle almost every year I've been here," Shapen said in March, per team reporter Jerry Hill. "I look at it as an opportunity to grow and get better and have that mindset to keep growing and have someone just pushing me and making me better every single day."

The Shreveport, Louisiana, native's grip on the QB1 spot loosened after Baylor ended last season with a 6-7 record that included four straight losses. The Bears capped their 2022 campaign with a 30-15 defeat to Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl.

Aranda was also impressed with Sawyer's production during the spring after he began his collegiate career at Mississippi State.

"Sawyer really progressed at the end of spring," Aranda said, according to Kurtis Quillin of 6 News Central Texas. "I have to imagine he will continue to improve, and I told him, 'You really impressed, and we're excited about your future here.'"

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox