By Jeffrey Cohen | Sports Editor
Senior running back Dawson Pendergrass was gearing up for a strong 2026 campaign after breaking out as a sophomore.
He thrived under a mainly two-back system with former Baylor running back Bryson Washington. The duo contributed to Baylor becoming one of only three power-4 schools with a 1,000-yard and a 600-yard rusher in 2024 with Washington setting the Bear’s freshman record.
Pendergrass’ momentum came to a screeching halt in August, when he suffered a foot injury that required surgery, ending his 2025 season before it even started.
“It hit me pretty hard,” Pendergrass said. “I was like, ‘Got to make the best out of a crappy situation.’”
Pendergrass realized that if he cannot be productive on the field, then he will be productive on the sidelines.
“I tried to help the younger guys out,” Pendergrass said. “I tried to still have an impact on the team.”
Helping his teammates not only helped their production last season but also paid Pendergrass right back. His teammates were the ones that helped him progress through his almost year-long recovery.
“I have great teammates, got a great room,” Pendergrass said. “They stayed by my shoulder the whole time.”
There is a new dynamic in the running back room heading into 2026. Washington transferred to Auburn in January, leaving behind two years as the Bears’ leading rusher.
The running backs feel even stronger as a unit despite the departure of their rusher.
“Even with Bryson leaving, there’s depth there in that room,” sophomore running back Caden Knighten said. “I feel like it’s a lot closer. I feel like there’s a better brotherhood.”
Pendergrass has put together a strong offseason since he has been at or near full strength since the spring. He was thrust into the RB1 spot once Washington entered the transfer portal and has not taken his teammates for granted.
“I’m very, very confident about this year,” Pendergrass said. “We had a bunch of guys that made a decision. If they transferred in, if they decided to stay, they made a decision last year that they want to win, and they’re going to do everything in their power to do that.”
The running back room is one that has seen some of the least turnover throughout the offseason. Pendergrass, Knighten and sophomore running back Michael Turner stayed in Waco for the 2026 season while Washington and Joseph Dodds were the only transfers.
Having multiple guys that have spent over a year with each other has helped the group push itself more than it has before.
“They push me hard, 100%,” Turner said. “DJ [Lagway], Dawson, Kaden, Ryelan [Morris], all the running backs, they push me hard to become a better person than myself.”
The running back room has found its identity under Pendergrass’ leadership in the offseason. They want to be know for their physicality and toughness every day.
“It’s just our calling card,” running backs coach Khenon Hall said. “We want to hang our hat on something. That’s how we build our bond. We are the outlaws.”
The backs are ready to take the field when duty calls, especially after Knighten and Turner were promptly moved up to second and third-string once Pendergrass went down.
“It’s a next man up mentality,” Pendergrass said. “If someone goes down, we’ve still got somebody else, so I’m very confident in this room.”
The unit as a whole is ready to step in when necessary, as three of the four have at least one season under their belts. Having that experience will force Hall to spread the love when it comes to carries.
“You get one carry, you get ten carries, you’ve got to shine in that role,” Hall said. “Those guys probably want 15 and 20 carries apiece, but they understand it’s a team goal.”
