A New Identity in the Backfield
Baylor University’s football program is set to enter the 2026 season with a clear focus on competing in the Big 12 after a wave of departures reshaped the roster, including the loss of running back Bryson Washington, who transferred to Auburn.
The running back room, nicknamed ‘the outlaws’, has been described as a physical and competitive force, a description that coach Khenon Hall embraces as he looks to harness the group’s toughness and brotherhood.
Veteran Dawson Pendergrass, who missed the previous season with a season‑ending injury, has returned to bring size and speed, while sophomores Caden Knighten and Michael Turner add depth alongside freshman Rylan Morris.
The Bears will open the season against Auburn on September 5 at 2:30 CT, a matchup that pits the revamped backfield against the very team that benefited from Washington’s transfer, setting the tone for the year.
Coaches stress that the identity of the group will be defined by collective effort, physicality and a relentless pursuit of excellence, aiming to dominate defenses across the conference.