Texas Week 4 Opponent Preview: Baylor Offensive Players To Watch

Baylor's revamped offseason in the transfer portal should provide a spark for the offense in 2023.

If the Jekyll/Hyde persona were a college football program, Baylor would likely be a front-runner to nab the title of most wishy-washy team.

There's no middle ground with the Bears. The team is either destined to exceed its preseason win total over, fight for a conference championship, and likely play in a prominent bowl game, or fall apart at the halfway point and pray that Week 13 can't get here fast enough.

Dave Aranda became a household name in Year 2 after going 2-7 in 2020. The Bears ran through the conference, completed the comeback over Oklahoma State at AT&T Stadium and pulled off the upset over Ole Miss down in New Orleans as winners of the Sugar Bowl. A year later, Baylor returned to its old ways, failing to capitalize off a breakout year and finishing near the bottom of the conference standings.

Now, Aranda's job isn't considered safe. Baylor fans are growing tired of the setbacks, and another sub-500 year could send him packing by early December.

Baylor fans are salivating at the mouth entering Saturday. With Texas heading to the Big 12 next season, a victory would linger over the Longhorns' heads for years to come. It also could be the boost needed to steer the ship back in the right direction for Aranda and Co.

Texas is beatable. The Longhorns couldn't find their stride until the second half of their victory against Rice. It took until the fourth quarter to secure a win over Wyoming.

So far, the Longhorns have played down to their competition. Will that play in Baylor's favor?

Follow along with LonghornsCountry.com as we preview every aspect of Texas' matchup with the Bears throughout the week. Before diving in, here's a quick overview of the essential things to know before kickoff in Waco come Sept. 23.

Now, let's look at the key players to watch for on Baylor's offense. 

Offensive Leaders

QB Sawyer Robertson

Robertson lost the starting quarterback battle in spring practice to incumbent starter Blake Shapen, but a knee injury has sidelined him for two weeks. Aranda announced Monday that the Mississippi State transfer will start once against Saturday night in what's expected to be a "blackout game."

There's reason for concerns with Robertson commanding the huddle. He tossed two interceptions against then-No. 12 Utah, both of which led to scoring drives in the opposite direction. Against Long Island, he threw for just 113 yards and completed less than 50 percent of his throws.

Aranda called Roberston the "most competitive people I know." Maybe that's true, but his decision-making has little continuity. There's been even less chemistry in building a rapport with his receivers.

© Scott Wachter, USA TODAY

RB Dominic Richardson

Richardson joined the squad after spending three seasons at Oklahoma State. He's yet to find the end zone, but he's been a bruiser in the backfield, utilizing his power to keep drives alive. In two games, Richardson is averaging 5.2 yards per run and 78 yards per outing on 13 carries.

RB Richard Reese

Abram Smith was a human bulldozer in 2021. Reese took over that title a year later, averaging 4.9 yards per carry on 187 attempts. While his rep count has taken a step back, he still is averaging roughly 4.5 yards per attempt. Reese scored a pair of touchdowns against the Sharks, both coming from 13 yards out.

WR Ketron Jackson

Jackson was in line to replace Jadon Haselwood as the leading receiver at Arkansas, but internal changes in the program led to his eventual departure. Since arriving in Waco, he's been the go-to target for Shapen in Jeff Grimes' drop-back passing game. Through three games, Jackson leads the team in receptions (10) and receiving yards (168). He's still looking for his first touchdown, but came close in the loss to the Utes on what was a pass breakup many believed was a pass interference.

TE Drake Dabney

Grimes' offense features a heavy dosage of tight-end usage, so Dabney was always going to be a factor. He's been Robertson's favorite target on third down, with six of his eight receptions coming on short-yard gains. He led the Bears in touchdown receptions with three.