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.
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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.
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