Baylor had a losing season a year ago, and it wouldn’t be unrealistic to say head coach David Aranda is on the hot seat. The Bears acquired Florida QB transfer DJ Lagway. Lagway will need to cut down on his interceptions and get better at picking up yards with his legs. Although they lost top running back Bryson Washington, they still have good workhorses in Caden Knighten and Michael Turner, in addition to getting Dawson Pendergrass back after he missed all of last season. Baylor lost their top 6 receivers from a year ago and will rely on Colorado transfer Dre’Leon Miller and Oklahoma State transfer Gavin Freeman. The Bears have an inexperienced offensive line, returning only one player with significant starting experience in Kaden Sieracki. There will be a host of players making their first career starts on the line of scrimmage at the Power Conference level.

The Bears brought in ex-Kansas State defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman to boost their defense, along with a few ex-Wildcats players who followed him to Waco. Like the offensive line, the defensive line will consist of many first-time starters in the trenches. Transfers Hosea Wheeler and Ryan Davis will look to add depth to the unit. The Bears return 5 of their top 11 tacklers from their 2025 team. Kyland Reed leads the linebackers while LeVar Thornton and Jacob Redding return in the secondary.

Special teams should be an adventure early on with a new field goal kicker. Palmer Williams is a good punter, and it’s yet to be determined who will lead the way at punter returner with Josh Cameron now with the Jaguars and with kick returner Kole Wilson now with the Browns.