Here’s a pretty effective snapshot of the current landscape of college football: Former Wisconsin Badgers defensive coordinator and current Baylor Bears head coach Dave Aranda spoke bluntly at the ongoing Big 12 media days about how his program has found recent success on the class of 2025 recruiting trail.
“We’re paying players,” Aranda said.
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The question was asked to Aranda after the Bears started July with three class of 2025 commitments, including one from four-star DL Kamauryn Morgan. The class ranks No. 43 in the nation with only 11 total commitments. Though as mentioned, much of that progress was made in the last week.
Aranda says the quiet part loud and clear. The program finished the 2024 cycle with only 14 total commitments and the nation’s No. 67-ranked class. That is a low standing in a talent-rich region like Texas. Now, the program is taking forward strides in the class of 2025 after, as Aranda said, paying more players.
Dave Aranda on what's prompted #Baylor's recent run of recruiting success:
"We're paying players."
— Craig Smoak (@CraigSmoak) July 10, 2024
Aranda has been Baylor’s head coach since 2020. He has a 23-25 overall record in those four seasons, buoyed by a terrific 12-2 2021 campaign. Things are trending in the wrong direction over the last few years, however, with a 6-7 2022 campaign and recent 3-9 record in 2023.
The longtime defensive coordinator spent 2013-2015 at Wisconsin under Gary Andersen (2013-14) and Paul Chryst (2015). He has long been one of the better defensive minds in the sport, though has run into a few roadblocks as a head coach.
It’s easy to assume that Aranda speaks for many coaches across the sport when it comes to recruiting inducements. More money leads to better recruiting classes in today’s age of college football.
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