qb
5
Football Opens 125th Season vs. Auburn with Aflac Kickoff Game - Baylor
- Baylor transferred defensive control from Dave Aranda to former Kansas State coordinator Joe Klanderman, whose defenses ranked among the top 30 in efficiency in each of his final five seasons and forced a league-best 88 turnovers over the last four.
- Florida transfer DJ Lagway enters as Baylor's starting quarterback after making 19 starts and producing 4,179 passing yards and 28 touchdowns across two injury-affected seasons.
- Baylor must replace four offensive-line starters, with Kaden Sieracki secure at right tackle, Koltin Sieracki favored at center, and transfers Logan Moore, Nate Kibble, Asher Hale and Cole Rhett filling the leading roles elsewhere.
- Dawson Pendergrass is back to full speed after missing 2025 and joins Caden Knighten and Michael Turner in a three-back rotation whose two freshmen combined for 792 rushing yards last season.
- Baylor rebuilt a pass rush that produced only 12 sacks in 2025 by adding interior linemen Hosea Wheeler and Jamaal Whyce Jr. plus JACK rushers Ryan Davis and Garrick Ponder, and Aranda considers the new defensive line a team strength.
defensecoachingschematicsqboffensetransfersdepth_chartavailabilityolconcernsrbexcitementsdl
Three Takeaways: August 31 - Baylor
- Dave Aranda called Baylor's offensive line the team's most improved position group after Koltin Sieracki settled at center and transfers filled both guard spots and one tackle position.
- Baylor's offensive line generated visible movement in fall scrimmages, allowing the running game to emerge after the unit entered spring with significant questions.
- Florida transfer DJ Lagway brings 19 career starts and multiple ranked wins, and Aranda said the quarterback is confident in Jake Spavital's plan for the Auburn opener.
oloffensetransfersdepth_chartcoachingrbfall_scrimmageexcitementsqbgame_breakdown
Auburn Opponent Preview: A look at the Baylor Bears on offense
- Baylor replaces quarterback Sawyer Robertson and pass catchers who combined for 242 receptions, 3,158 yards and 26 touchdowns, creating extensive turnover across its 2026 offense.
- Florida transfer DJ Lagway is Baylor's starting quarterback after producing 28 touchdowns and 23 interceptions across 19 career starts, with pocket passing as his primary style but enough mobility to run when available.
- Dawson Pendergrass returns from a season-long injury to lead Baylor's backfield after rushing for 671 yards and six touchdowns in 2024.
- Transfers Louis Brown IV, Dre'lon Miller and Gavin Freeman give Baylor an experienced and versatile receiver group, while veteran Matthew Klopfenstein leads a deep tight-end room.
- Baylor's projected offensive line uses transfers at left tackle, left guard and right guard, with Koltin Sieracki at center and Kaden Sieracki at right tackle providing the core continuity.
offenserosterqbwrconcernstransfersdepth_chartrbavailabilityinjuriestepersonnelol
Golesh gives Baylor a glowing review
- Baylor opens against Auburn at Mercedes-Benz Stadium after losing last season's meeting 38-24 in Waco.
- Golesh expects Jake Spavital's Baylor offense to stress Auburn with Air Raid concepts, vertical shots and formations that use the full width of the field.
- DJ Lagway is fully healthy after playing through multiple injuries last season, and Golesh views his arm and rushing ability as one of Baylor's biggest matchup problems.
- Baylor must replace its top rusher and top four wide receivers from an offense that ranked top five nationally in passing and top 20 overall last season.
schedulegame_breakdownoffenseschematicsqbinjuriesrbwrdepth_chartconcerns
- QB: Dave Aranda on what to expect from QB DJ Lagway in the season opener "It's an advantage that he's played a lot of football.
offenseqb