After a 5-7 season, Baylor is treating this offseason like more than a routine reset. Dave Aranda didn’t just need a tweak here or there - he needed real change, and he’s tried to make it happen by bringing in Florida transfer DJ Lagway to run the offense.
The biggest swing came on the defensive side, where new coordinator Joe Klanderman arrived from Kansas St. and immediately went to work reshaping the group. Baylor’s defense was the obvious problem last year, finishing dead last in the Big 12 in several categories, including touchdowns and points allowed. Klanderman has responded by rebuilding the defensive line and adding seven other signees, with Hosea Wheeler and Garrick Ponder among the names brought in to help stabilize that front.
That kind of overhaul was necessary, because several parts of the defense needed a full reset. Baylor’s work there looks more aggressive than cosmetic, and Klanderman has at least given the Bears a new foundation to build on.
The offensive line, though, is a much shakier story. Baylor returns only one player up front after major departures, including Coleton Price, who signed with Kentucky after starting 31 straight games for the Bears.
That leaves the unit with a very different look and plenty of uncertainty heading into the season. It could end up becoming one of the biggest problems for Lagway and the offense.
Baylor also had to rebuild its wide receiver room after losing Josh Cameron, Kobe Prentice, and Kole Wilson. To its credit, the staff has put together a group that should at least give Lagway options.
Dre'lon Miller, Gavin Freeman, and Louis Brown IV are expected to lead the way, while some promising freshmen are also in the mix. It’s not possible to know yet whether the room has truly taken a step forward, but Baylor did mix experience with youth in a way that gives the quarterback something to work with.
Still, the sheer volume of turnover is hard to ignore. According to On3, Baylor has a net roster loss of -30, with 59 players leaving and only 29 coming in.
That kind of churn is a lot for any program, even one trying to wipe the slate clean. For comparison, the source notes that teams like Indiana sit at a net loss of +6 and Texas Tech at +1.
Aranda is trying to rebuild a roster that needed serious attention, but doing that while losing nearly 60 players is no small job. With his job on the line, the question now is whether he can turn all this turnover into something that actually works.
In Other News...
Baylor Suddenly Has A Bigger O-Line Problem Than Expected
Baylors offseason plans along the offensive line have taken an unexpected turn, with transfer center Yakiri Walker still waiting on a legal ruling that could determine whether he is available this fall. Walker is seeking a sixth year of eligibility after stops at UConn, Colorado and Memphis, but his status remains tied up in court after a hearing in Wacos 414th State District Court.
The uncertainty has pushed Baylor to keep other center options in play during fall camp, including the possibility of moving Koltin Sieracki inside or giving Harrison Cluff a look there. Walker now has an expedited trial set for October, which means the Bears could be sorting out the position without a final answer for a good chunk of the season. [Read more 🡒]
Baylor Fans Now Get A Real Say In 254 Night Style
Baylor is putting a little more of the 254 Night look in the hands of its fans this week, opening a vote on three finalist uniform combinations for the Sept. 12 game against Prairie View A&M. The options all keep the green helmet in play, while mixing in different jersey and pants pairings as part of Baylor Athletics Fan First Era push to lean into local traditions and make the presentation feel more connected to the people in the stands.
Fans can cast their vote through Baylor Footballs official social media channels until 9 a.m. CT on Saturday, with the final choice set to be unveiled on Aug. 3. The only thing still hanging in the balance is which combination will get the nod, but the process itself has already turned a uniform reveal into a small referendum on what 254 Night should look like this fall. [Read more 🡒]