Aranda Provides Eligibility Update on Ashtyn Hawkins; Expects Decision 'Any Day' Now

Head coach Dave Aranda provided an update on the eligibility issue surrounding Baylor wide receiver Ashtyn Hawkins at Big 12 Media Days on Tuesday, telling ESPN’s Pete Thamel that the school is expecting a decision from the NCAA “any day” now and that they were given a “timeframe around July 4.”

After initially being granted a sixth year of eligibility, news broke in mid-May that Hawkins would not receive his extra season of eligibility from the NCAA as originally expected.

Shortly thereafter, Baylor released a statement outlining the course of action that Hawkins and Baylor will take in collaboration with the NCAA to hopefully resolve the issue. 

“We intend for Ashtyn to be part of our program this upcoming season and are actively working with the NCAA to explore all eligibility options,” a spokesperson for the athletic department told SicEm365. “We will have no further comment on this matter at this time.”

Hawkins was a reliable target in 2024 for quarterback Sawyer Robertson and was second on the team in receptions (45), receiving yards (567) and touchdowns (5).

The Bears are slated to return wide receiver Josh Cameron (RSr.) and tight end Michael Trigg (RSr.). Baylor added three essential pass catchers in the transfer portal: Alabama’s Kobe Prentice (Sr.), Texas State’s Kole Wilson (Sr.) and Colorado State’s Louis Brown IV (Sr.).

Before transferring to Baylor last offseason, Hawkins starred at Texas State for three seasons and played at Cisco Community College in 2020.