Baylor’s loss to Auburn on Saturday didn’t just sting on the scoreboard. It also gave NFL scouts a fresh look at a handful of Bears who helped their stock, and a couple who left more to prove.
The biggest offensive boost may have gone to Gavin Freeman, who spent the offseason flying under the radar while many expected Dre'lon Miller and Louis Brown IV to be the main attractions. Instead, with Miller having a quiet summer, Freeman emerged as Lagway’s go-to option against Auburn.
He finished with 12 catches on 17 targets for 154 yards and capped it off with the touchdown in the final minute that pulled the Bears within one point. If that connection keeps building, Freeman could be pushing for an NFL roster spot in a year’s time.
DJ Lagway’s night, meanwhile, looked much better than the social media reaction suggested. Yes, he threw an interception in the first quarter and had a costly fumble when he tried to hurdle a defender on third down.
But outside of those two plays, he was impressive. Lagway threw for 330-plus yards, delivered some tough completions, and added two touchdown passes.
He was already drawing attention from scouts over the summer, and this performance showed improvement. Clean up the interceptions, and his stock could climb fast.
On defense, Garrick Ponder made a strong case for himself. He was one of Baylor’s most disruptive players all game, finishing with a sack, three solo tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss.
Auburn dealt with him all afternoon, and by the end it looked like he still had plenty left in the tank. At 6-foot-2 and 250 pounds, with the speed and athleticism NFL teams covet, he definitely put himself on the radar.
Travion Barnes also turned in a standout showing. With Keaton Thomas gone, he had big shoes to fill, and he looked more than ready for the job.
Barnes posted nine tackles and helped lead an excellent defensive effort. After the gruesome season-ending injury he suffered early last season, he’s clearly taken a major step forward and hasn’t looked like a player trying to find his footing again.
If he keeps playing at this level, scouts will notice.
Not every note was positive, though. Sieracki had a difficult assignment at left tackle as the lone returning starter on the offensive line, and while he didn’t give up a sack, he was still a problem spot.
Multiple mistakes led to blown-up plays, and his play was part of why the run game stalled. Auburn’s defensive line was strong, but Baylor still has plenty of room to improve as the season goes on and the line starts to settle in.
In Other News...
Baylors Home Opener Is Bringing Back A Feeling Fans Missed
Baylors first home game of the season against Prairie View A&M is set up as more than just an early reset in the schedule. The school is leaning into the occasion with the 254 game, a nod to the Central Texas area code, and players Reggie Bush, Nate Kibble and Hawkins Polley all sounded energized during media availability about the chance to play in front of the home crowd and reconnect with the community that surrounds the program.
The off-field touches are part of the appeal, too. Athletics director Doug McNamee has rolled out fan-friendly concession pricing, including a 254 Classics Menu and the 1845 Bear Family Pack, while the Bear Bell will return as a permanent fixture at McLane Stadium. After each touchdown, Bruiser and Marigold will ring it, giving fans another piece of game-day pageantry to welcome back as Baylor tries to make the opener feel like something familiar again. [Read more 🡒]
Baylor Is Trying To Make McLane Stadium A Bigger Game-Day Draw
Baylor is taking a fresh approach to the McLane Stadium experience, rolling out a slate of new fan offerings for the 2026 football home opener and beyond. The university announced expanded tailgating areas, new concessions, upgraded stadium lighting and live concerts, along with the return of the Bear Bell and a wider mix of fan engagement activities designed to make game day feel bigger from the moment people arrive.
The changes also reach beyond the building itself, with stroller parking and exclusive ticket opportunities for Waco residents among the additions aimed at making attendance more convenient and more local-friendly. It is a clear sign Baylor wants McLane to be more than just the site of football Saturdays, and the details suggest the school is trying to build a fuller event around the game without losing the traditions that already give the stadium its identity. [Read more 🡒]
Sam Leavitt Faces An Early Big 12 Test Arizona State Fans Should Track
Week 1 did not offer much clarity on the Big 12 quarterback pecking order, mostly because so many of the leagues passers opened against Group of Six or FCS defenses. A few did get real tests right away, including Floridas DJ Lagway and UCFs Barnett, but for the most part the first weekend was about sorting through box scores, identifying who looked comfortable and who still has work to do before the schedule gets tougher.
Sam Leavitt is next in that line of quarterbacks to watch, with Arizona State set for an early Big 12 barometer that should tell a lot more than last week did. The matchup gives fans a chance to see how he handles a stronger defense after a relatively soft opening slate around the conference, and it is part of a Week 2 schedule that starts separating the pretenders from the passers who are ready for the leagues tougher stretch. [Read more 🡒]