Baylor enters a pivotal football season with Dave Aranda entering Year 7 of his tenure with a 36-37 record. His Bears are 22-28 overall and 15-21 in Big 12 play since winning the conference championship in 2021. Many thought the third losing season in the last four years – and his fourth in six seasons in charge – would end his tenure. Instead, controversy behind the scenes in the athletic director’s office gave him a reprieve. 

Aranda knows he’s on the hot seat and under pressure. He’s read the columns, heard the podcasts, and seen the message board posts. He’s not running from how important 2026 is to his future and to the Baylor Bears. He cares deeply about righting the ship and turning his doubters into believers. 

“I probably care too much so that has been a challenge,” Aranda admitted. “I didn’t know that about myself before coming to Baylor because I really just had a bunch of success before coming to Baylor and I never felt the downs, the losing, or the failure.”

Baylor made wholesale changes ahead of 2027. Aranda gave up defensive play calling after a two-year failed experiment, hiring former Kansas State defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman. The Bears also pivoted on roster construction. Rather than try and win recruiting battles for star high school players, they plan to recruit developmental prep players like Kansas State and Iowa State and then mine the transfer portal for instant impact, like they did with quarterback D.J. Lagway. 

“Our policy now is to reduce the money that is being spent on the high school and up the money that’s going to be spent on the portal and on retention,” Aranda said. “With the amount of money we got, the money’s got to be on the field. That’s a huge change.”

Here are some offensive and defensive notes from my stop in Waco for 2026 summer magazine prep. 

Offense 

• Expect the Baylor passing attack to exploit the middle of the field more because Lagway is more comfortable doing that than Sawyer Robertson was. Lagway has impressed OC Jake Spavital with his anticipation, ball placement, and elite arm talent. He makes “wow” throws daily. Baylor will push the ball vertically more and Lagway’s size and athleticism make him a run threat. 
• Lagway loves the virtual reality simulator that Baylor uses. He lives in there. 
• The competition for QB2 is between Nate Bennett and Edward Griffin. True freshman Quinn Murphy has real upside. Griffin has had the best spring of the three and he’d be QB2 if a game was tomorrow, but with a short leash.  
• RB Dawson Pendergrass is easing back into full-contact work and that’s allowed the younger running backs going. Caden Knighten and Michael Turner were thrown into the fire last year and the key for them is consistency. Baylor likes the three-headed monster of Pendergrass, Knighten, and Turner. Jacorey Watson is working at receiver and running back. 
• There is a line shift occurring at wide receiver and tight end. Louis Brown IV is the leader of that unit right now because he’s one of the only upperclassmen with real experience in the offense. Brown and Lagway have had a great connection in the spring. 
• Gavin Freeman was described as the second-best receiver behind Brown. Baylor is trying to get Taz Williams and Jadon Porter more involved but injuries have limited them a few times in the spring. Same with Colorado transfer Dre’lon Miller, who was flashing before rolling his ankle. DeBraun Hampton is a slot player who was with Lagway at Willis High School. 
• Matthew Klopfenstein was described as a solid player who does everything well. He’s experienced, can block, and had two touchdowns in a recent scrimmage. Tony Livingston is working his way back from shoulder surgery but has been impressive when he’s received some snaps. He’s 6-foot-6 and a former basketball player. Hawkings Polley is the third guy at tight end and he’s improving and getting better with more reps. 
• Spavital says there is more depth along the offensive line this year. UAB transfer Logan Moore is the projected starter at left tackle, at least as of now. Texas transfer Nate Kibble is penciled in at left guard with Yakiri Walker slotted at center. The Sieracki brothers should handle the right side of the line with Koltin at right guard and Kaden at right tackle. Guys like Harison Cluff, Asher Hale, and Cole Rhett are fighting for starting spots and provide the depth. Center and right guard are probably the spots most up for grabs. 

Defense 

• Klanderman’s defense is based out of a 4-2-5 and he says he worries more about doing things right than doing a lot of things. He’d rather keep it simple and execute what Baylor does defensively than get exotic for exotic sake. He described it as “beautiful simplicity.” The Bears will be multiple enough to cause some confusion, but only for the opponents, not for their own players. 
• Depth is the key for the defense and Klanderman plans to play 24 to 25 guys a game. 
• The goal is to be disruptive as possible as close to the ball as possible. He wants the D-line to make plays and create havoc. The good news is that Baylor might be eight or nine deep in the trenches. Aranda and Klanderman said the defensive line is the current strength of the football team. 
• Jamaal Whyce Jr. (Marshall) and Hosea Wheeler (Indiana) were the first two names mentioned along the interior of the defensive line. Whyce will benefit from a change of sceneary, per Klanderman. Kamren Washington (Texas State) is another name to know and he was described as “relentless and quick.” Returners such as Devonte Tezino, Jackson Blackwell Jr., Braylen Jackson, and Jordan Mack will also figure heavily into the rotation. Kyler Jordan and Trent Thomas are leading the way at defensive end. 
• Klanderman brought edge rusher Ryan Davis with him from Kansas State and he expects a breakout season from him. Davis was injured the first half of last year but came on by the end of the year. Southern Miss transfer Garrick Ponder also earned rave reviews off the edge. Zavion Hardy should be improved in his second year out of JUCO. 
• Former FIU standout Travion Barnes is the alpha in the linebacker room and he’s been “awesome” on his return from injury. It was a long road back for him. Kyland Reed is a known commodity who rarely makes a wrong step and Kaleb Burns might be the freakiest athlete on the defense. Kendrick Walker and Kaleb Arteberry on in the next group at linebacker. 
• The nickel position is going to be asked to play a lot more man in the new system. Daniel Cobbs played 300 snaps in this defense at Kansas State but he’s been out in the spring. Tyler Turner has moved to nickel but both Cobbs and Turner could also play one of the deep safety spots if Bo Onu locks down the starting nickel position. 
• Jacob Redding continues to impress at safety. Colby McCalister is another Kansas State transfer who should be in the mix at safety. He started a couple of games for the Wildcats in 2024 and missed last year with an ACL tear. 
• Oklahoma transfer Devon Jordan might be CB1. He’s fast and can make plays on the ball. Levar Thornton Jr. and Reggie Bush II are stalwarts in the rotation. New Mexico State transfer Stilton McKelvey and Jayden Rowe, another Kansas State transfer, are other names to know at corner. Rowe is a freaky athlete who weighs 230 pounds and can run a 10.3 100-meter dash.