Chance Casey’s first big moment at Baylor was a broken-field run that would have made Barry Sanders and Gale Sayers proud.

Picking off a Northwestern State pass, Casey weaved all over the field, dodging tacklers and changing directions like a compass gone haywire. When his highlight-reel play was over, Casey had returned the interception for a 66-yard touchdown and served notice that this true freshman was a kid to watch.

Here’s the kicker: This was Casey’s first game as a college cornerback.

Since the third game of last season, Casey has been a fixture in the Bears’ defensive backfield. Making six starts, he got his baptism under fire as a Big 12 cornerback against some of the best passers in the country.

Now, Casey should be among the Baylor players set for a breakout season.

“I want to be a shut-down corner,” Casey said. “I want to be one of those cornerbacks that a quarterback will think, ‘Don’t throw over there.’ It’s a position that really gets your adrenaline going.”

With staples like middle linebacker Joe Pawelek, center J.D. Walton and safety Jordan Lake gone, the Bears need some young players to step up.

Here’s a look at some under-the-radar players who could be on the verge of a breakout season as the Bears open against Sam Houston State at 6 p.m. Saturday at Floyd Casey Stadium.

1. CB Chance Casey

Chance Casey
Rod Aydelotte/Tribune-Herald

Before arriving at Baylor, Casey recalled only getting a couple of plays at cornerback as a sophomore at Crosby High School in East Texas.

Casey made his name as a running back with moves and breakaway speed, finishing with more than 3,000 career yards rushing. He also starred for the track team, winning the Class 4A 300-meter hurdles state title as a junior and senior, and capturing the 110-meter hurdles as a junior.

The Baylor coaches saw Casey’s athleticism and pegged him as a cornerback.

“It says a lot about Chance’s athletic ability that he’s playing cornerback at Baylor,” coach Art Briles said. “Cornerback is a tough position because you’re stuck on an island. It takes someone who has self-confidence, awareness and an understanding of the situation.”

After that big moment against Northwestern State, Casey began getting more snaps for the Bears when cornerback Antareis Bryan broke his foot. Casey moved into the starting lineup against Oklahoma State in the seventh game and stayed there the rest of the season.

It was an eye-opening experience playing against great Big 12 quarterbacks like Texas’ Colt McCoy and Texas A&M’s Jerrod Johnson. But Casey improved as the year progressed as he collected a team-high two interceptions and shared the team lead with four pass breakups to earn all-Big 12 freshman honors.

“I’ll know my assignments better this year and have improved my techniques,” Casey said. “It’s a matter of doing little things right. I’ve tried to come out of my breaks a little better and explode on plays. I’ve watched a lot of film, and I’m going to be ready to go.”

2. WR Terrance Williams

Receiver Terrance Williams is among the unheralded Baylor players to watch this season.
Rod Aydelotte/Tribune-Herald

When kick returner Mikail Baker went down with a season-ending knee injury against Northwestern State, Williams became Baylor’s chief return man.

The redshirt freshman didn’t disappoint as he finished sixth in the Big 12 with a 24.1-yard kickoff return average.

“It was a long, hard year when I redshirted, so getting to play was a sigh of relief,” Williams said. “I was happy when the coaches gave me the role. I love returning kicks because it gives the offense a chance to start off fast.”

When David Gettis was drafted by the Carolina Panthers, the Bears began looking for more deep threats at wide receiver. After catching three passes for 61 yards last season, Williams will use his 4.4 speed to play a bigger role in the passing game this year.

He’s anxious to hook up with quarterback Robert Griffin, who is returning from a knee injury.

“I want to get on the same page with Robert like he is with Kendall Wright,” Williams said. “I think I can help the team as a deep threat. We’ve got the deepest corps of receivers I’ve ever played with, and it’s great to have so many guys who can make big plays.”

3. LB Elliot Coffey

Elliot Coffey
Rod Aydelotte/Tribune-Herald

Now in his fourth year in the Baylor football program, Coffey is ready to step out of the shadows.

As a backup outside linebacker last season, Coffey finished with 35 tackles while collecting a sack, an interception and forcing a fumble.

Following an impressive preseason camp, the athletic, instinctive junior could have a big year in his first season as a starter.

“I’ve had three years to build up to this and I’m looking for a successful season,” Coffey said. “I can’t really put into words how excited I am. I’ve put on 40 pounds in the last three years, and I feel like I can handle anything.”

Before arriving at Baylor, Coffey was a star safety at Sugar Land Clements High School. It was the same position his father, Ken Coffey, played as a member of the Washington Redskins from 1983-86.

“I talk to my dad once or twice a day,” Coffey said. “I always like to hear his opinion on things. He’s always been big on film work and has always encouraged me. He always told me to get out there and play hard because you never know what will happen.”

4. DE Tevin Elliot

Tevin Elliot
Duane A. Laverty/Tribune-Herald

Recruited as an all-state linebacker out of Mount Pleasant, Elliot found his calling at Baylor as a redshirt last fall.

Before facing Texas, the Bears needed someone on the scout team to imitate Longhorns’ all-Big 12 defensive end Sergio Kindle. Elliot played Kindle so well that the Baylor offensive linemen couldn’t block him.

“They couldn’t get the ball off because I was getting to the quarterback every time,” Elliot said. “(Baylor offensive tackle) Danny Watkins said I was the fastest guy he’s ever seen come off the edge. So after that, Coach Briles asked me about playing defensive end.”

A dynamic pass rushing defensive end is one of Baylor’s biggest needs after the team finished 11th in the Big 12 with just 18 sacks last season. Along with Elliot, the Bears are counting on sophomore Gary Mason and redshirt freshman Terrance Lloyd to deliver.

Elliot has performed at a high level during preseason camp, and Briles is anxious to see what he does against the Bearkats.

“Tevin was unbelievable (last fall) and continues to be that way,” Briles said. “You can just see that he’s going to be productive at that position.”

5. OG Cyril Richardson

Cyril Richardson
Duane A. Laverty/Tribune-Herald

After finally passing through the NCAA Clearinghouse, Richardson showed up at Baylor late last fall at 355 pounds.

Richardson knew he had to lose weight, and took advantage of Baylor strength coach Kaz Kazadi’s program to drop 40 pounds.

“I had to get into shape, and I feel a lot quicker now,” Richardson said. “Coach Kaz has pushed me hard and I’ve lost weight. I’m much healthier now and feel a lot more confident with the plays we’re running.”

The 6-6, 315-pound Richardson has made his presence felt in Baylor’s guard rotation, and received a lot of snaps with the first team after junior John Jones missed practice time with a high ankle sprain. Whether he starts or comes off the bench, Richardson will be a valuable player on the offensive line.

“When Cyril first got here, I wondered how that guy’s going to move,” Baylor senior offensive tackle Danny Watkins said. “Now, he’s one of our fastest offensive linemen coming off the ball. It’s ridiculous.”

jwerner@wacotrib.com

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