After Bears quarterback Sawyer Robertson finished his career ranked fourth on the school’s all-time passing list, Baylor finds itself in dire need of an experienced signal-caller. As college football’s “carnival season,” known as the transfer portal, opened on Friday, Baylor has proactively reached out to several players, extending offers in hopes of attracting talented football athletes to Waco.
On Saturday, head coach Dave Aranda met with former Auburn and Stanford quarterback Ashton Daniels. Over his four-year collegiate career, Daniels has passed for more than 4,700 yards, rushed for over 1,300 yards, and accounted for 38 total touchdowns in 37 games. Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 215 pounds, Daniels presents a dynamic dual-threat to opposing defenses. His style could fit well within offensive coordinator Jake Spavital’s system, providing Baylor with a quarterback around whom Aranda and his staff could build the offense.
With returning talent at running back—including Bryson Washington, Caden Knighten, and Michael Turner—and wide receiver Jadon Porter, Daniels could be the crucial piece Baylor needs to revitalize its offense in the 2026 season.
In an interview with On3, Daniels shared his visit plans: “I’m at Baylor right now on a visit. After this visit, I will be at Florida State on January 5-6 and at Kentucky on January 7-8 for visits.”
During Auburn’s 2025 season, Daniels appeared in only four games. He posted a season-high 353 passing yards and two touchdowns on 31-of-44 completions (70.5%) in a 45-38 loss to Vanderbilt, while also rushing for 89 yards and scoring two touchdowns against the Commodores. In the Iron Bowl against Alabama, Daniels went 18-of-39 passing for 259 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in a 27-20 defeat, adding 108 rushing yards on the ground.
Daniels’s career-best performance came in the 2023 season as Stanford’s starting quarterback. In a thrilling 46-43 victory over Colorado, he threw for 396 yards and four touchdowns.
Coach Aranda has a strong chance of securing Daniels for Baylor’s 2026 roster. Daniels would provide an immediate offensive spark, a much-needed boost following the departure of key talent at the quarterback position. Compounding the situation, Baylor backup quarterback Walker White recently announced his intention to enter the transfer portal.
Bears fans will be watching closely as recruiting efforts ramp up, hopeful that Daniels can lead Baylor’s offense back to prominence.
https://www.si.com/college/baylor/football/talented-sec-transfer-qb-visits-baylor
