Baylor will keep one of the most enticing in-state defensive backs close to home, as they landed a commitment from Trophy Club (Tex.) Byron Nelson three-star cornerback Leo Almanza on Friday.
Almanza, who chose the Bears over Utah, Houston and Kansas State, is less than a week removed from an official visit to Waco that he said made shutting down his recruitment an easy decision.
“We’re bringing the Big 12 Championship back to Baylor,” Almanza told BearsIllustrated ahead of his commitment. “It’s coming back to Waco, I can tell you that.”
Even with a senior season still ahead, Almanza commits to Baylor with an impressive track record at Byron Nelson. As a sophomore, he was the District 4-6A Newcomer of the Year and as a junior, was the district’s Utility Player of the Year, taking snaps at both cornerback and wide receiver.
When speaking about his choice, Almanza said that Kevin Curtis’ persistence and dedication to pursuing him was one of the major drawing points to join the team’s 2025 recruiting class.
“He’s got a great track record,” Almanza said of Curtis. “He’s great with DBs and with [Dave] Aranda calling the defensive, who’s got a resume that’s just as good as anybody’s, I’m super excited.”
As Almanza has been able to see the various changes that the Bears have made over the last several months, he said that he’s confident in Aranda’s ability to turn things around after a pair of disappointing seasons.
On top of Baylor’s head coach taking over defensive play calling in the 2024 season, Almanza credited seeing Aranda’s leadership firsthand as one of the most encouraging parts of his latest trip to Waco.
“I’m really bought into them having a good season,” Almanza said. “They’ve definitely made me feel like they’re ready to turn things around and I trust that.”
Although Curtis and the Bears didn’t offer the three-star cornerback until his time on campus during Baylor’s game against Houston on November 4th, he claimed that his relationship with the program began months before that offer
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