What Returns, What’s New and What’s Gone: An Offensive Snap Count Breakdown

As we take a brief break to catch our breath, during a dead period that prevents official visits from Monday, Jan. 13, to Wednesday, Jan. 15, but still allows online communication and commitments, let’s look at offensive snap counts for returners, incoming players, portal exits and graduates.

*All snap counts are from the 2025 season*

Quarterbacks:

• Returners: Nate Bennett (RSo. / 22 Snaps); Edward Griffin (RFr.)
• Incoming: DJ Lagway (Jr. / 717 Snaps / Florida); Quinn Murphy (3-Star Fr.)
• Portal Exits: Walker White (RSo. / Central Arkansas)
• Graduates: Sawyer Robertson (958 Snaps)

The big name here is obviously Florida transfer quarterback DJ Lagway, who will be the Bears’ starting signal caller in 2026. Outside of that, Baylor would appear to be content rolling with a backup group of Nate Bennett, Edward Griffin and Quinn Murphy.

Running Backs:

• Returners: Dawson Pendergrass (RJr.); Caden Knighten (So. / 299 Snaps); Michael Turner (So. / 171 Snaps)
• Incoming: Ryelan Morris (4-Star Fr.); HD Davis (3-Star Fr.)
• Portal Exits: Bryson Washington (RJr. / Auburn / 436 Snaps ); Joseph Dodds (RSo. / 73 snaps)
• Graduates: N/A

Losing Bryson Washington to Auburn was a big blow, but it was tough to expect the former Freshman All-American to be healthy enough consistently. Next year, the Bears will get Dawson Pendergrass back from injury, and will have a triple threat of former four stars to round out the room in Caden Knighten, Michael Turner and Ryelan Morris.

Wide Receivers:

• Returners: Louis Brown IV (RSr. / 73 Snaps); Jadon Porter (Jr. / 163 Snaps); Michael Johnson (RSo.); Taz Williams (RFr. / 36 Snaps); Jacorey Watson (RFr., 13 Snaps); Ashton Jones (RFr., 15 Snaps); Chase Collier (RFr.)
• Incoming: Dre’lon Miller (Jr. / 358 Snaps / Colorado); Hardley Gilmore IV (Jr. / 433 Snaps / Kentucky); London Smith (4-Star Fr.); Davion Peters (3-Star Fr.)
• Portal Exits: N/A
• Graduates: Josh Cameron (904 Snaps); Ashtyn Hawkins (797 Snaps); Kole Wilson (600 Snaps); Kobe Prentice (279 Snaps)

This group will see a ton of change next fall after losing its top four pass catchers, but Baylor picked up two electric athletes from the transfer portal in Colorado’s Dre’lon Miller and Kentucky’s Hardley Gilmore IV. The Bears appear to be done spending big at the position, so there must be a lot of trust in the group they have returning, headlined by Louis Brown IV, Jadon Porter and Taz Williams.

Tight Ends:

• Returners: Matthew Klopfenstein (Sr. / 326 Snaps); Cody Mladenka (RSr. / 24 Snaps); Hawkins Polley (RJr. / 13 Snaps); Brody Wilhelm (RFr.)
• Incoming: Parker Almanza (3-Star Fr.); Kai Wesley (3-Star Fr.)
• Portal Exits: Kelsey Johnson (RSr. / 92 Snaps / Liberty)
• Graduates: Michael Trigg (574 Snaps)

It’s going to be impossible to replace Michael Trigg from a production and athleticism standpoint, as the All-American will likely be a high-round pick in this year’s NFL Draft. But the Bears still need to pair a reliable option next to Matthew Klopfenstein, and all signs point to that being the case.

Offensive Line:

• Returners: Kaden Sieracki (RSr. / 948 Snaps); Koltin Sieracki (RSo. / 411 Snaps); Harrison Cluff (RFr. / 18 Snaps); Matthew Parker (RFr. / 18 Snaps)
• Incoming: Logan Moore (RJr. / 650 Snaps / UAB); Nate Kibble (RFr. / 38 Snaps / Texas); Cole Rhett (RJr. / 669 Snaps / Toledo); Asher Hale (Jr. / 695 Snaps / South Alabama); Donel Robinson (4-Star Fr.)
• Portal Exits: Coleton Price (RSr. / 842 Snaps / Kentucky); Sean Thompkins (RJr. / 460 Snaps / North Carolina); Colton Thomasson (RJr. / 18 Snaps / UNLV); Joe Crocker (RJr. / 6 Snaps / Buffalo)
• Graduates: Omar Aigbedion (684 Snaps); Ryan Lengyel (962 Snaps); Sidney Figuar (534 Snaps)

This group has undergone a massive overhaul in recent weeks: three of the six players with the most snaps graduated, and the next two left via the transfer portal, leaving only starting right tackle Kaden Sieracki to return. His younger brother, Koltin, also saw a good amount of playing time this past season, filling in for an injured Price or Aigbedion.

Aside from the Sieracki brothers, there are a lot of question marks and very little depth on the current roster. It would appear that Baylor’s portal strategy is to add as many players as possible and hope the cream rises to the top next fall camp through competition, although they still probably need two more legitimate options.