Baylor Lands Dynamic Return Specialist Jayden McGowan in Late-Spring Pickup

Over the weekend, Baylor received a late-spring commitment from Charlotte wide receiver and return specialist Jayden McGowan.

The 5-foot-7, 180-pound McGowan burst onto the scene in 2022, as he was second on Vanderbilt in receptions (66) and receiving yards (453) as a true freshman; he also earned All-SEC honors as a kick returner.

The following season, McGowan was third on the Commadores in receptions (36) and receiving yards (383), but had a phenomenal season as a returner, totaling 384 yards and a score across 16 kickoffs.

After transferring from Vanderbilt to Boston College, McGowan appeared in 11 games for the Eagles but caught just two passes. He then transferred closer to home to play for Charlotte, but tore his ACL and missed almost the entirety of last season. McGowan totaled just 55 snaps across the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

The Laurens, South Carolina, native was a three-star recruit coming out of high school, as he tallied 1,600 all-purpose yards as a senior. He was also a track state champion in the 100 and 200-meter dashes.

The Bears lost both of their return specialists to the NFL, as wide receiver and All-Big 12 punt returner, Josh Cameron, was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the sixth round of the NFL Draft, while kick return Kole Wilson signed an undrafted free agent deal with the Cleveland Browns.