Portal Push Takes Center Stage: Aranda Details Baylor’s Response to '26 Signing Day Losses
I traveled to Waco for National Signing Day and was able to jot down some notes after speaking with head coach Dave Aranda about the 2026 recruiting class, the transfer portal outlook, and other changes inside the program.
Bears Losing Momentum in the 2026 Class
The staff felt good that they would be able to keep the class together following the announcement of Dave Aranda's return. Obviously president Linda Livingstone also felt that way when she announced Aranda's return. The staff has held on to the class even through this very difficult season but it appears like things are poised to change. During the middle of the week, everyone in the class seemed to be poised to sign with Baylor this upcoming week. Then things changed....Jamarion Carlton took a return trip to Texas for the third time this month, Jordan Clay went back to Washington, and Jamarion Vincent took a surprise trip to Michigan.- Carlton was the one most in doubt leading into signing day but the staff was feeling good this week as they overcame an initial visit but this trip to Austin for the A&M game has put the Longhorns ahead of Baylor in this final stretch.- Clay was another one who had solidified his commitment to the Bears following his initial trip to Washington but he went back for the Huskies matchup with Oregon today and now things are trending towards a flip. The rumor was he was searching for more money so Baylor would likely have to up the money in order to change things.- The biggest surprise was Jamarion Vincent who confirmed with me he was signing with Baylor this upcoming week and enrolling early. But he decided to take a trip to Michigan for the Wolverines matchup with Ohio State. I don't have a read coming off this trip yet but obviously a bad sign overall.This is a very weird position to be in for the program in general and once you see guys start to flip it can certainly change the perspective for some of the other highly rated prospects in the class. Things were relatively quiet given how bad this season has gone but now things are officially ramping up and not in a good way.The staff alluded to a potential commitment coming a couple days ago so stay tuned for more on that as well.I will update when I have more to add and as Baylor battles to keep this elite class together.
Latest Intel on Baylor Commits as Signing Day Approaches
Baylor gets set for early signing day on December 3rd. So let's take a look at where things stand as guys get set to make signing day decisions. Also we should have a signing day show next Wednesday so be on the lookout for that. Here we go....- Jamarion Carlton is the headliner going into next weeks signing day following his visit to Texas. The intel I received was that the staff felt great about his commitment following the Dave Aranda news but then he surprisingly took the trip to Texas. This was not expected and change some things a little. But as of this week my sources are still confident they will sign him despite the major Texas smoke over the past week. I still think there is some up in the air here and likely some potential last minute negotiations.- Jordan Clay is getting tons of buzz with Washington and Kansas State along with a couple others but everything I have heard this past week has been positive. I think Baylor will do what it needs to in order to make sure he signs.- JaeLin Battle took a trip to Washington and there was definitely some smoke for the Huskies coming off that trip. As of right now the feeling is that Baylor weathered the storm for him but he was certainly one that was on the fence for a second before the Aranda decision.- Jamarion Vincent and London Smith were both excited about the news of Dave Aranda coming back and both let me know they will be enrolling early. Two of the big time, local prospects are solidified in the class.- The offensive line is kind of up in the air right now with Mason Miller leaving. I haven't gotten clear indication on what is going to happen with Donel Robinson, Marcus Page and Kole Seaton. Because of that I expect them to sign but this is just an area where I wouldn't be surprised if things shifted leading into signing day. The one the staff needs to hold on to is Robinson so hopefully he locks in because you can fill the rest through the portal if need be.- There are still quite a few targets still out there in the 2026 class to keep an eye on such as Josiah Vilmael, Jacob Lopez-Veasey, David Chukwuemeka, Sam Davidson, Nathaniel Salmon, Damonte Tabb and new JUCO offer Jaylen Thomas. We will see who Baylor gets on campus but it will be pretty telling who they go after this final weekend as the spots are limited.- The retention of Dave Aranda certainly helped things with this class and, even though NIL deals were locked in, I do think the attrition would have been much more significant than this will likely end up being.Early Enrollees I am still building this list out with confirmations but this is the list I currently have right now based on recent confirmations and from conversations in the past. I will update when I get things confirmed on others…Liberty Christian QB Quinn MurphySA Madison WR Jordan ClayUniversity WR London SmithLake Belton WR/ATH Davion PetersOrem (UT) TE Kai WesleySouth Oak Cliff LB Jamarion PhillipsConnally CB Jamarion VincentHSAA S Jordan Davis Some Quotes From Commits on Dave Aranda's ReturnUniversity WR London Smith - "It's great to hear coach is coming back!!"Byron Nelson TE Parker Almanza - "I was very excited I know there was a lot of questioning going around on if he was going to stay. Knowing he is brings a lot of relief to me for sure."Sante Fe (OK) DL JaeLin Battle - "I actually love it!"Woodlawn (LA) EDGE Tyrone Morgan - "Happy about it I'm ready to go help Coach Aranda win a natty he is a great coach and gave me a opportunity so i'm forever grateful for him."South Oak Cliff LB Jamarion Phillips - "I feel good about it I get to play and get coached by a linebacker type head coach that can help me get to the next level and become a better player."HSAA S Jordan Davis - "I was super fired up!!! Because now we will be able to keep our great recruiting class!"
Commit Highlights: Offense Posts Huge Numbers & Wesley Wins a State Title
SicEm365 Lead Recruiting Analyst and Co-Editor Grayson Grundhoefer details the play of Baylor's commits during the 2025 season.
Commit Highlights: State Playoffs Begin and Seasons Come to an End
SicEm365 Lead Recruiting Analyst and Co-Editor Grayson Grundhoefer details the play of Baylor's commits during the 2025 season.