Dequan Finn Named Baylor's Starting QB For Season Opener

Baylor football will roll with sixth-year senior Dequan Finn as the starting quarterback to start the 2024 season, the program announced on Monday. Finn won the position over redshirt junior Sawyer Robertson after batting throughout the spring and fall camp.

Story: Dequan Finn’s Path to Being Named Baylor’s Starting QB

Finn has won 27 games during his collegiate career as a starter at Toledo with a 7-6 season in 2021, a 9-5 season in 2022 with a MAC Championship and an 11-2 2023 season, which ended in a loss in the conference title game. Prior to his arrival, the Rockets went 17-14 from 2018-2020.

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Dequan Finn has been named Baylor’s starting quarterback for the 2024 football season. 

In his three seasons as Toledo's starting quarterback, Finn totaled nearly 7,000 yards passing and 63 touchdowns, along with 1,700 yards on the ground and 25 rushing touchdowns. 

The 2023 first-team All-MAC selection and MAC Most Valuable Player accounted for 2,657 yards and 22 touchdowns through the air while adding 563 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground while leading the Rockets to the 11-win season and an appearance in the MAC Championship Game.

Over the summer, Finn was invited to the prestigious Manning Passing Academy. He put together a very strong performance and was listed as a top-12 contestant according to On3.

The 6-foot-2, 206-pound prospect transferred to Baylor this spring from Toledo as the Bears won a massive recruiting battle for the veteran signal-caller. Finn was rated as the No. 11 quarterback transfer per 247Sports. According to early Las Vegas odds, the favorites to land Finn when he entered the portal were Michigan, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Michigan State, UCLA, USC, Cincinnati, Florida State, Oregon, LSU, Miami, Texas A&M and Washington. 

The recruiting victory was the first sign that Baylor and head coach Dave Aranda had completely revamped their NIL strategy and resources. It was also a key addition to the new offensive scheme implemented by first-year offensive coordinator Jake Spavital. 

The Bears will still need Robertson to be ready this season. If injuries occur, he will be the next man up this fall. Following his strong offseason, he will be counted on as a potential starting option heading into 2025.

Baylor kicks off the 2024 season at 6 p.m. on Aug. 31 with a home matchup against Tarleton at McLane Stadium.