As junior outside linebacker Matthew Fobbs-White streaked off the edge to wrap up junior quarterback Jackson Arnold on third-and-10 to cap off Auburn’s first drive as a three-and-out, it seemed as if Baylor’s front seven was ready for an SEC-sized challenge.

Coming into 2025, head coach Dave Aranda brought in 13 defensive transfers to help invigorate that side of the ball and lift Baylor to contender status.

The Bears changed some defensive terminology and clarified some important position battles.

The Bears lost their top two JACKs from last season, with Garmon Randolph and Steve Linton attempting to catch on in the NFL.

After losing to his former team in the Kinder’s Texas Bowl on New Year’s Eve, head coach Dave Aranda went to work looking to build on an 8-4 season. Baylor football added 11 players in the transfer portal and replaced two coaches before the start of spring football.