By Carson Vercoe | Sports Writer
Baylor’s receiving core was one of the top in the Big 12, returning most of the core. Receivers like Josh Cameron, Ashtyn Hawkins and Kole Wilson helped create one of the most dominant passing attacks in the country.
Now, as the Bears head into the 2026 season, the receiver room has seen major turnover. The Bears’ top receivers from last season are gone, leaving new receivers to replace that production and experience.
The Bears will lean heavily on fourth-year wide receivers coach Dallas Baker to help address the lack of experience. Baker has proven he can develop young receivers. He faced the same challenge in 2022, replacing the team’s top three receivers from that year. In 2022, five receivers caught 25 or more passes.
Baker is focused on getting his receivers, who he referred to as “the goons,” to focus on the little things, like the basics, as well as his players’ ability to push through tough conditions, but above all, having his players put the team first.
“The goons are made of, first, the fundamentals and technique,” Baker said. “Fundamentals are the baseline, like blocking and running routes; the technique is what you do to get it done … The second thing is tough … The third thing is the selfless piece.”
Baker has leaned into his experience as a former NFL receiver to adapt to his new guys and the personalities they bring, helping foster a connection in the room.
“I know how to deal with personalities, because I was in the room with them,” Baker said. “All my coaches had to deal with personalities, and now I am able to do the same thing.”
Baker’s coaching abilities will be put to the test with a receiving room full of new faces looking to break onto the scene. While the Bears may have lost their top producers, many young, hungry receivers will have their shot to fill the void.
One of the more experienced players in the room will be redshirt senior Gavin Freeman. Freeman transferred from Oklahoma State after having his best year, recording 53 receptions, 481 yards and four touchdowns. Freeman will serve as a veteran presence for this new, young group.
“It’s challenging for sure, because you know they didn’t all come together and come in at the same time,” Freeman said. “But being able to be open-minded with everyone and knowing everyone’s personality helps a lot.”
Fifth-year Louis Brown IV will be a familiar face in the room for Baker, as he was part of the team last season but ended up redshirting four games into the season. Brown IV will be a consistent target for new transfer junior quarterback DJ Lagway.
“We got a room that can set the tempo and start fast with the guys we got,” Brown IV said. “It’s a versatile room, and we can be a very explosive offense.”
The room will also feature Colorado transfer junior Dre’lon Miller and sophomore Taz Williams Jr., both of whom will be heavily involved in the passing attack.
As fall camp progresses, offensive coordinator Jake Spavital has been pleased with the way the receivers have grown.
“They all bring a different type of game. You have some smaller, twitchier receivers; you have some big outside receiver types that can body guys, so you’re going to see these guys play all over the field,” Spavital said. “We have a solid eight that I am confident in.”
Whether these receivers can replace the production of a competitive receiving group from last season remains to be seen, but with the coaching expertise of Baker and the continued growth of these receivers, Baylor football is in a good spot heading into the season.
