Update: Baylor Football Releases Depth Chart Ahead of Opener Against Auburn

Baylor football released its first depth chart of the 2026 season on Monday ahead of the season opener against Auburn. Below is a full look at how the Bears' two-deep stack up entering Week 1.

OFFENSE

Quarterback

• Starter: DJ Lagway (Jr.)
• Backup: Nate Bennett (Jr.) OR Edward Griffin (So.) OR Quinn Murphy (Fr.)

Running Back

• Starter: Dawson Pendergrass (Sr.)
• Backup: Caden Knighten (So.) OR Michael Turner (So.)
• Backup: Ryelan Morris (Fr.) OR Jacorey Watson (So.)

Wide Receiver

• Starter: Louis Brown IV (5Sr.)
• Backup: DeBraun Hampton (Jr.)
• Backup: London Smith (Fr.)

Wide Receiver

• Starter: Dre'lon Miller (Jr.) OR Jadon Porter (Jr.)

Slot Wide Receiver

• Starter: Gavin Freeman (5Sr.)
• Backup: Jayden McGowan (5Sr.)

Tight End

• Starter: Matthew Klopfenstein (Sr.)
• Backup: Tony Livingston (Sr.) OR Hawkins Polley (Sr.)
• Backup: Parker Almanza (Fr.) OR Kai Wesley (Fr.) OR Brody Wilhelm (So.)

Left Tackle

• Starter: Logan Moore (Sr.)
• Backup: Cole Rhett (Sr.)

Left Guard

• Starter: Nate Kibble (Jr.)
• Backup: Muyont’a Maxwell (Jr.)
• Backup: Donel Robinson Jr. (Fr.)

Center

• Starter: Koltin Sieracki (Jr.)
• Backup: Harrison Cluff (So.)
• Backup: Lawson Petty (Sr.)

Right Guard

• Starter: Asher Hale (Jr.)
• Backup: Harrison Cluff (So.)

Right Tackle

• Starter: Kaden Sieracki (5Sr.)
• Backup: Matthew Parker (So.)
• Backup: Cooper Lovelace (8Sr.)

DEFENSE

Defensive End

• Starter: Kyler Jordan (5Sr.) OR Jordan Mack (Sr.)
• Backup: Zavion Hardy (Sr.)

Defensive Tackle

• Starter: Devonte Tezino (5Sr.) OR Kamren Washington (Sr.)
• Backup: Braylen Jackson (5Sr.)

Nose Tackle

• Starter: Hosea Wheeler (6Sr.) OR Jamaal Whyce Jr. (5Sr.)
• Backup: Jackson Blackwell (So.)

JACK

• Starter: Ryan Davis (Sr.) OR Garrick Ponder (5Sr.)
• Backup: Trent Thomas (Sr.)

MIKE Linebacker

• Starter: Travion Barnes (5Sr.)
• Backup: Kedrick Walker (Sr.)
• Backup: Kaleb Arterberry (So.)

WILL Linebacker

• Starter: Kyland Reed (Jr.)
• Backup: Kaleb Burns (So.)
• Backup: Anthony Crenshaw (Sr.)

NICKLE

• Starter: Bo Onu (So.) OR Daniel Cobbs (Sr.)
• Backup: Leo Almanza (So.)

Cornerback

• Starter: Devon Jordan (Jr.)
• Backup: Stilton McKelvey (Sr.)
• Backup: Kyler Beaty (Jr.)

Cornerback

• Starter: LeVar Thornton Jr. (Sr.)
• Backup: Reggie Bush II (5Sr.) 
• Backup: Calvin Simpson-Hunt (Sr.)

Free Safety

• Starter: Colby McCalister (5Sr.) OR Tyler Turner (Jr.)
• Backup: Micah Gifford (Sr.)

Strong Safety

• Starter: Devin Turner (5Sr.) OR Jacob Redding (Sr.)
• Backup: Michael Allen (5Sr.)

SPECIAL TEAMS

Field Goal Kicker

• Starter: Rhett Armstrong (So.)
• Backup: Riley Sullivan (5Sr.)

Kickoffs

• Starter: Rhett Armstrong (So.) OR Riley Sullivan (5Sr.)

Punter

• Starter: Palmer Williams (Sr.)
• Backup: Bronson Mueller (Fr.)

Long Snapper

• Starter: Dylan Schaub (Sr.)
• Backup: Brady Hibbard (Jr.)

Kick Returner

• Starter: Caden Knighten (So.) OR Jayden McGowan (5Sr.) OR Ryelan Morris (Fr.)

Punt Returner

• Starter: Gavin Freeman (5Sr.) OR Jayden McGowan (5Sr.) OR Dre'lon Miller (Jr.)

Baylor Football Depth Chart