Baylor added its first commitment in the 2028 class on Saturday, and it came right after the Bears’ win over Colorado drew a packed recruiting section full of visitors.
Luke Baysinger, a 6-foot-4 defensive end from Texarkana, made the call after the game following a visit that clearly landed well. He had also picked up offers from Arkansas, Houston, North Carolina, Northwestern, and others.
“ALL GLORY TO GOD!!!! I’m excited to announce after a great gameday visit and Talk with coaches and staff im 1,000% committed too BAYLOR SICEM🐻 pic.twitter.com/v9zIhc4fkQ”
Baysinger brings more than football to the table. He is a multi-sport athlete who also runs track and field, and he has already shown real speed and strength in that arena.
As a freshman in Spring 2025, he posted a 23.72 in the 200 meters. As a sophomore, he added a 44-3 shot put mark, according to MileSplit.
The football bloodlines are there, too. His father, Michael, played linebacker at Stephen F.
Austin in the early 00s. His brother, Trip, is a quarterback signee in the 2026 class at Southeastern Oklahoma State.
Michael Baysinger is also serving as the defensive coordinator at Luke’s high school, Texarkana Liberty-Eylau.
In the 247Sports Composite, Baysinger is ranked No. 378 overall in the 2028 class, No. 38 among edge defenders, and No. 47 in Texas. He also carries an 89 defensive grade, which points to a player Baylor clearly sees as a strong fit.
On the field in 2025, Baysinger put together a big season with 75 total tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, six forced fumbles and four recoveries.
Baylor’s defense has also opened the 2026 season looking far more disruptive than it did a year ago. The Bears already have 15 sacks after finishing with 12 last season, and they have 36 tackles for loss through four games after totaling 48 all of 2025. With Joe Klanderman now in the mix alongside head coach Dave Aranda, the defensive identity around the program has shifted.
In Other News...
Baylors Close Win Revealed Who Carried The Offense And Who Didnt
Baylors first in-conference test turned into the kind of game that forces a hard look at where the offense really came from, and who was asked to do too much. DJ Lagway led the way for the Bears in the home matchup, piling up 221 passing yards and 116 rushing yards while helping push the offense to 23 points. He also hit Jadon Porter on a 33-yard touchdown pass, one of the few plays that consistently gave Baylor breathing room.
The bigger picture for Baylor was less about style points than survival, even against a Colorado team that went to Julian Lewis after halftime. Dawson Pendergrass added 85 yards on 16 carries, giving the Bears a steadier ground presence, but the game still underscored how much the offense ran through Lagway. For a team trying to settle into conference play, the win answered one question and left another hanging about how sustainable that formula will be. [Read more 🡒]
Baylor Fans Already Have One Big Reason To Debate DJ Lagway
Baylors quarterback picture has already become one of the more interesting storylines of the season, even before the Bears have had much time to settle it. DJ Lagway opened as the starter, then missed two games with a right ankle injury, and Nate Bennett stepped in and won both of those starts. That kind of fill-in success can change the way a fan base talks about a position, especially when the team has now seen two different answers under center.
Lagway is still expected to stay in the job once hes healthy, and his contract status is part of why the Bears are likely to keep leaning that way. Still, Bennetts brief run gave Baylor supporters a real alternative to compare against, which is exactly how quarterback debates start to take on a life of their own. The Bears may have an answer for now, but the conversation around it is only getting louder. [Read more 🡒]
Baylors Offense Has A Red-Zone Concern Fans Cant Ignore
Baylors trip into the red zone against Colorado looked productive on the surface, but the finish told a different story. The Bears got there five times and came away with three touchdowns, a drop-off that stood out as their lowest red-zone touchdown rate of the season and a reminder that moving the ball and cashing in are not always the same thing.
DJ Lagways return from injury added another layer to the conversation. The starting quarterback was back on the field, but his limited mobility was noticeable and he missed several open receivers, which affected how the offense was called. Dave Aranda said Lagways health shaped the game plan, and Baylor will be watching closely to see whether further rehabilitation can help him operate more freely in the weeks ahead. [Read more 🡒]