Baylor has made the cut for one of the more intriguing names in the 2028 recruiting class, with Duncanville, Texas standout Brayden Arnold trimming his list to eight schools.
Arnold’s group includes TCU, USC, Colorado, Penn State, Oregon, SMU, Nebraska and Baylor. He’s listed as a four-star prospect and the No. 357 player in the class, according to the 247Sports Composite.
For Baylor, the appeal is obvious. Arnold is listed as a defensive back/athlete, and the Bears can always use another playmaker in the secondary.
The fit looks even more interesting after his recent showing at “The Opening,” a Dallas Regional event built to highlight recruits for college staffs. There, Arnold posted a 40.1" vertical jump.
At roughly 6 feet tall and 200 pounds, Arnold brings more than just bounce. He’s described as fast, slippery and tough to corral once he gets moving. His film reflects that versatility, with offensive carries, kick returns and defensive interceptions all showing up in the mix.
That all lines up with what he has already put on paper. During his sophomore season, Arnold ran 65 times for 431 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 6.63 yards per carry.
On defense, he added 22 tackles and one interception. He also helped Duncanville finish as the Texas 6A D-I state runner-up in 2025, even though the program did not win the state championship that season.
Arnold’s athletic profile extends beyond football, too. As a sophomore in 2025, he ran an 11.78 in the 100 meters at a track and field meet.
For now, though, the decision is still ahead of him. Arnold has plenty of time before he needs to choose, and his junior and senior seasons will shape what comes next. Baylor remains in the mix, and the Bears will keep pushing for the chance to land him.
In Other News...
Baylors Colorado Game Is Bringing Back A Feeling McLane Stadium Needed
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For Baylor, this is the sort of September atmosphere McLane has been waiting for. A conference opener has a way of changing the feel around a stadium, especially when both teams arrive with something to prove and the game is getting a standalone spotlight on national television. Even with tickets still circulating, the setup suggests a crowd that should have a little more edge and energy than the average early-season date in Waco. [Read more 🡒]
Nate Bennett Is Starting To Show Why Baylor's Chemistry Matters
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Brown, meanwhile, used the opportunity to highlight the progress of Jayden McGowan and the kind of presence he has become in the offense. For Baylor, those kinds of comments matter because they speak to something beyond one good afternoon: a locker room still settling into roles, but one that seems to understand how chemistry can raise the floor when the season starts asking tougher questions. [Read more 🡒]
Baylors Colorado Plan Suddenly Hinges On One Huge DJ Lagway Question
Baylors preparation for Colorado took a welcome turn when Dave Aranda said starting quarterback DJ Lagway and several other injured players are expected back for the matchup. Lagway has been cleared to play and, by all indications, is feeling good, which matters because Baylor has been waiting to see how much of its offense it can truly lean on with its top quarterback available again. The return of Jadon Porter, Devin Turner and Logan Moore adds to the sense that the Bears are finally getting healthier at the right time.
The bigger question now is how much Lagways ankle will affect what Baylor can do once the game kicks off. Arandas optimism suggests the staff believes the injury should not restrict the play-calling, but until Lagway is back on the field against Colorado, there is still some uncertainty about just how close he is to full strength. For a Baylor team looking to reset its rhythm, that answer could shape the entire night. [Read more 🡒]
