Baylor head coach Dave Aranda is facing significant pressure as he begins his seventh season with the Bears, following a disappointing 5-7 record last year. If not for the unexpected resignation of the athletic director late in the previous season, Aranda might not have returned for this year.
Under Aranda, Baylor has a record of 36-37, and the team has struggled since achieving a school-record 12 wins, including a Big 12 title and Sugar Bowl victory in 2021. Since that successful season, the Bears have recorded a 22-28 record, with their only winning season being in 2024 when they finished 8-5.
This season, the Bears will introduce a new quarterback, DJ Lagway, a transfer from Florida, along with several new receivers and a new defensive coordinator, Joe Klanderman, who joins from Kansas State. Last season, Baylor's defense allowed an average of 32.6 points per game while the offense scored 31.1, leading to a high number of turnovers.
Despite losing their leading rusher Bryson Washington to Auburn, Baylor has a strong group of running backs, including Caden Knighten, who ran for 469 yards last season, and Dawson Pendergrass, who returns after missing last season due to injury. Pendergrass had a productive freshman season in 2023, running for 338 yards and scoring five touchdowns.
However, the Bears face challenges with a lack of experience at the receiver position, having lost their top five receivers from last year. Among the newcomers are transfers Dre’lon Miller and Gavin Freeman, while Jadon Porter is the only returning receiver with any significant production from last season.
